info@leimena.org    +62 811 1088 854

IL News 010/2016
The 3rd Strategic Forum of Church and Politics

Jakarta, April 7-9, 2016

 

Since early days, churches and Christians in Indonesia have established itself as part of the community to build the nation. In order to encourage churches to develop its role in the nation, for the third time, Leimena Institute held Strategic Forum of Church and Politics which was held on April 7 to 9, 2016 at Wisma GPIB, Jakarta.

The purpose of this forum is to explore the relation of church and politics in the light of the Word of God and church history. In addition, through this forum, it is expected that there will also be a deeper understanding of the role of the church in the context of current politics in Indonesia. This understanding is also expected to encourage churches to develop their policies and programs.

This strategic forum was attended by 21 leaders and representatives from the five synods, i.e. Toraja Church, Toraja Mamasa Church, Protestant Church of Maluku, Central Sulawesi Christian Church, and Batak Karo Protestant Church. To understand the role of the church in the present political context, Jakob Tobing, president of the Leimena Institute, delivered on the topic of the Church and Democracy: Taking Role in the Consolidation of Democracy. It was emphasized that in this democratic era, despite of many things that are still not in accordance with the constitution, Christians as part of Indonesian society, have the obligation to take part in obeying and protecting the constitution.

Maruarar Siahaan (Rector of the Indonesian Christian University and Senior Fellow Leimena Institute) brought participants to understand the role of the Church in putting Law into practice. It was emphasized that justice has been the basis of the Christian values ​​and church’s moral strength. This will help to drive the country to implement the law and the constitution in the life of the state and society.

Rev. Andreas A. Yewangoe (Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Indonesian Council of Churches  2015 to 2019 and Senior Fellow Leimena Institute) helped participants to understand the relationship of the Church and Politics in the context of the current politics in Indonesia. He also raised the importance of the church in Indonesia to have Confession of Faith about State, Politics and Democracy. He also discussed about the state’s concept in the New Testament in order for participants to understand the role of the State as a “servant of God” and its limitation. Christians are encouraged to continue to have a critical attitude and continue to oversee that the State did not deviate from its duties.