CHURCH AND POLITICS

Learning Politics, Who’s Scared?

Wisma Cendana, Waingapu, February 21 – 23, 2014

Indonesia admitted the supremacy of democracy since its independence as a sovereign state on August 17, 1945. So a general election is the main requirement to determine the leaders of this nation. The election provides an opportunity to Indonesians to select legislative and executive members for a five-year period.

Church congregations are parts of Indonesian that can not be separated from the political process of this nation, so church leaders are also expected to provide political education to the members to be intelligent and rational voters in determining the candidates. Being rational and smart voters, they will be able to vote representatives who are fear of God. Such reasons drive Stube-HEMAT Sumba to arrange a workshop on "Church and Politics" together with East Sumba election commisions and church leaders as the keynote speakers.

Workshop participants joined enthusiastically the activity held on 21-23 February 2014 at Wisma Cendana, Waingapu. Many of them discussed about pastor's involvement in politics practice causing many church members disappointed, however many others of them agreed with such practice. This polemics caused the workshop ran lively and the discussions tended bit tough. Some speakers said that church's role in politics is very important but it does not mean that the pastor must be representatives in the parliament. Church is called as salt and light to encourage congregation who are competent and fear of God to be representatives in parliament.

Church should do a prophetic action by guiding the congregation to be salt and light, instead of being a political player who will fade church’s identity if he has mistakes because of his engagement in practical politics.  However, the engagement in practical politics can not be blamed. Then the emerging problem will be the pastoral task that can not be done well.

National Commission for the election called KPU delivered a material concerning the importance of community participation in the election. It gave voting simulations to the participants. Participants were also equipped by public communication skills to communicate the importance of election for the nation.

At the end of the session, the participants coming from various elements made a commitment to continue this meeting with follow-up activity, both institutionally and individually. (ABR)