Seeking Unity, Building Community

Jakarta: a Seminary's Challenge

In Jakarta, we met with the President and Deans of the Jakarta Theological Seminary (Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Jakarta).  This seminary has 19 full-time faculty, and offers 6 degree programs, from a Bachelor of Divinity to Dr. of Theology.  It operates a Center for Lay Learning, at the Seminary campus and in other locations, and has developed a post-graduate program for Christian Education.  Mission co-worker Rebecca Young teaches systematic theology at the seminary, and is involved in many other ways with the people of Indonesia (you can read some of her letters at http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/youngr.htm )

 

 
Pure water and good theology are both necessary: Rebecca Young    (photo by David Hudson)  

 

The seminary is now facing one of those challenges that are also opportunties:  They are designing curriculum and conducting courses to certify teachers of Christianity for both public and private schools, in response to a new requirement of the Indonesian government (all such teachers must be certified by 2015).

 

The seminary is also developing a center for the documentation of Chrristian history in Indonesia, working on building facilities for preserving materials and research.  They have developed a Christian Education Resource Center; and are partnering with legal and human rights offices of the government in developing a Peace Education and Reconcilation Center.

 
The Seminary is connected with many churches in the Reformed family.  STT Dean of Faculty, Yusak Soleiman (center) is heading the effort to build a center for the study of the church in Indonesia.  (photo by David Hudson)

FOCUS ON INDONESIA

Focus on indonesia

 

Three months ago this evening, I arrived in Jakarta with two colleagues.  Now I have some distance on this journey, and can see just how important it may be - for me, and for all of us!

 

 

A road-side market    (photos by David Hudson)

 

This country of over 17,000 islands is developing rapidly.  It is a place where modern ways of life and narrow political and religious movements threaten ancient traditions of inter-ethnic and inter-religious community, toleration, and creative engagement with differences among people.   It has the largest population of Muslims of any country in the world, and is a democracy based on principles including respect for all religions.   It has vibrant and growing Protestant churches, now threatened by an influx of newer missions bringing a gospel of Prosperity and individual salvation.  In short, it is a country that we should be watching closely!

 

In the next days and weeks, tune in here to our trip, and what we learned !