To Be The Salt That Brines - The Leimena Institute

IL News 013/2012

by Institut Leimena

30^thCitizenship Education

Palu (Central Sulawesi), 5th-6th March 2012

In his article titled “Questioning Social Responsibility and the Role of Churches in Indonesia (An Autopsy)”, Eka Darmaputera explained that in relation to the mandate and mission of the church as the “salt of the earth”, the church only has three options: (1) To be the salt that is kept (passive); or (2) to be the salt that is flavorless (activism); or (3) to be the salt that brines (functional).

When faced with these three options, which would we choose? Of course we would loudly answer: “…to be the salt that brines, that prevents the occurrence of decay in society.”

In a desire to continue to be the salt that brines, 33 ministers and leaders of the Protestant Church Synod Indonesia Donggala (GPID), Central Sulawesi, attended the 30th Citizenship Education on 5-6th March 2012 at the GPID Pusdiklat Synod in Jono’oge, Palu. The event was held in collaboration between the GPID Synod along with Institut Leimena, under the coordination of Rev. Yance Darmawan, Vice Chairman II of the SYNOD GPID along with Matius Ho, Budi Setiamarga and Puan Sari Siregar as facilitator.

In relation with the implementation of Citizenship Discussion within the GPID Synod environment, on 6th March 2012, the Cooperation Agreement between GPID Synod represented by Rev. Zakharias Wahyu Widodo, Chairman of GPID Synod and Matius Ho, Executive Director of Institut Leimena, was signed. Through Citizenship Discussion, a simple step to encourage the involvement of citizens, the hope is that it could give a “salty” flavor to the lives of the nation and the societies of Indonesia.

Below are comments about the benefits of the 30th Citizenship Education Program from the attendees:

For me, there are a lot of benefits to this program. It sheds lights on how to act as a good citizen, not only being in ministerial services alone, but to involve oneself in other general matters as well. (Rev. Afriani H. Pagata, S.Th – GPID Golgota Raupa)

This program provided the impetus in spreading the spirit of nationhood, uplifting spirits and making Indonesia much better. (Richardson Siwy – GPID Pniel, Palu)

I will build a small group at church, create an activity schedule and hold citizenship discussions. (Pnt. Jan Agus Paath, S.E.)

May the mission of the church as the salt of the earth continue to be imprinted within us. Let us work hard together to be the salt that brines and prevents decay!