26.11.2024

PGI General Assembly: “Live as Light!”

The General Assembly was hosted by the Toraja Church. The traditional houses of the Toraja, called "Tongkonan", never belong to a single person, but to a family.

Mikhael Sihotang (left, with Mikrophone) leading the small forum on "Indonesia 2045".

Reception of UEM and its member churches in Indonesia, with Dyah Krismawati (4th from left) and Andar Parlindungan (front left).

The General Assembly in the Auditorium of the Indonesian Christian University of Toraja.

On November 8-13, 2024, the Community of Churches in Indonesia (abbreviated PGI) held its 18th General Assembly in Toraja, South Sulawesi. The choice of this location cannot be separated from the location of the church headquarters which became the Host of this meeting, namely the Toraja Church. Under the theme "Live as a light that produces goodness, justice, and truth" (Eph. 5: 8b-9), this General Assembly was attended by 104 Member Churches and dozens of PGI partner institutions with more than a thousand participants. The United Evangelical Mission (UEM) participated, too, since all of its 15 member churches in Indonesia are part of the PGI. UEM was represented by General Secretary Rev Dr Andar Parlindungan and Rev Dr Dyah Krismawati, who is Executive Secretary Division Asia/Germany and member of the UEM Management Team, as well as Rev Mikhael Sihotang from HKBP*, who represents UEM Youth on the international UEM Council.

Dyah Krismawati points to the many encounters and meetings during the assembly: “For us as UEM, it was really great to meet all the leaders and delegates of our Indonesian member churches, but also delegates from other churches and PGI partner organizations. Personally, it was a joy to meet old friends from many churches. Some of them I still know from University, others through years of working together, like Rosmalia Barus, who served as UEM Interim Moderator some years ago. This assembly brought us all together.”

Working in small forums

In this assembly, several crises were discussed to find a response to them. Among them are ecological disasters, violations of the Human Rights of minorities and marginalized groups in Indonesia and democracy in Indonesia. These topics were discussed in great detail by Indonesian theologians and expert practitioners. The General Assembly Committee also formed several small forums to discuss these topics with speakers. Mikhael Sihotang took part in one of these forums. He was leading a small group discussing “The 2045 Indonesia: Golden or Apprehensive Era?” which was attended by more than 40 participants representing no less than 20 institutions and synods. During the discussion, Sihotang emphasized: “It is important for the church to put extra effort into ensuring that pre-marriage counseling is well-constructed. Through this program, we as churches can deliver to the groom and bride the significance of having healthy and educated children, to build a strong family and society.”

In addition, the 18th PGI General Assembly also had another major agenda, namely electing the Council for the 2024-2029 term. As a result, Rev. Jacky Manuputty from the Maluku Protestant Church was elected as the new PGI General Chairperson. Together with him, Rev. Darwin Darmawan from the Indonesian Christian Church was also elected as the PGI General Secretary. Both will work together with 13 other people who were elected to be the PGI Council.

Expanding cooperation

There was also an increase in the list of PGI member churches. In the 18th General Assembly, the PGI accepted 7 new member churches. They had met various criteria to become PGI members. Andar Parlindungan responded to this with enthusiasm: “This means that the PGI and UEM can expand our existing cooperation for the common good.” He also conveyed that cooperation between PGI members and partners should not be based solely on financial considerations but on trust, mutual support, and equality: “Because in reality, partnership is a form of true friendship.” A reception and meeting of the UEM church leaders from Indonesia were conducted on the sidelines of the assembly on November 9. Here, Andar Parlindungan and Dyah Krismawati shared information on some issues, namely the United Action fundraising campaign, the 2025 UEM General Assembly and the mutual recognition of ordination among UEM member churches.

The PGI Council was officially inaugurated at the closing service of the 18th General Assembly. It took place on November 13, 2024, at the Auditorium of the Indonesian Christian University of Toraja.

We especially would like to thank Rev Mikhael Sihotang for providing this report to UEM.

*HKBP = Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (Christian-Protestant Church of the Batak, Indonesia)