The Church in Indonesia reaching its people

At the Edinburgh Mission Conference an Indonesian Christian made this observation about the role of the Church in Indonesia in mission within its national borders:

“…[In] the context of pluralism and challenges of Indonesian context I would say, that the purpose of mission will not merely to bring other follower of religions become disciples of Jesus and then to baptize them in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit (as instructed in the book of Matthew 28:19-20). This is an impossible thing in our context; because the Government Law No. 70/78 prohibits all religions to evangelize other follower of religions.  An example, the Christian is prohibited to Christianized other followers of religions, or to influence them by giving money, materials, treaty, etc.

So, is it impossible to do mission in Indonesian context? And how could the command of Jesus should be done? We can do it, of course! Some ways doing mission in our context are as follows:

(1)        To demonstrate ‘shalom’ of the King of God by asking God for the authority of doing miracles and demonstrating God’s power. The concretization of this spiritual power could be realized in the practicing of healing the sick, giving life to the dead (to rise the dead), to cleanse the lepers, and casting out the devils.

(2)        To live as a good Christian, and show people that we are honest, high responsible in all things, be disciplined in life and obey the government and political order.

(3)        The mission in a very Islamic country like Indonesia should not stop. But we have to complement all Christian to be ‘missioner’ in their life. So, the mission is not only the task of ordained people like the pastors or priests or church’s workers alone, but every believer should carry out the ‘mission’ by their personal moral examples: honest, diligent, and with perseverance of life.  The moral and spiritual examples of every church member would be an important mission. It is the priesthood of all believers: in their office, in the market, as teachers, farmers, military-officers, doctors, bankers, etc. Especially in a pluralistic world this figurative examples are so important to develop.

Encourage the Church in Indonesia through your prayers as it wrestles with its role in reaching its own nation.

Taken from a report: CHALLENGES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN MISSION IN THE MIDDLE OF MULTI RELIGIOUS FAITHS From the Indonesian Perspectiv Written by Rev. Rudolf H. Pasaribu, S.Th