PROTESTANT INDONESIAN CHURCH IN LUWU AND CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN SOUTH SULAWESI

PORTRAIT

The Luwu Church in Indonesia, with its roughly 12,000 members, has only ten active pastors in about 100 parishes. Many congregations can only be reached on foot. They experienced difficult times in the 1950s and 1960s: they were spread over remote areas because an Islamic independence movement was operating in their homelands. However, they have also been caught up in the maelstrom of political and religious conflicts in the Indonesian island kingdom. The congregation members mainly comprise small farmers and daily wage earners. For this reason, the GPIL places great value on education programmes, Sunday schools and community events. However, these vital services could only be offered secretly during the difficult times. Participation in the EMS Fellowship is very important for the Luwu Church. This is one of the few chances for them to broaden their ecumenical horizon through practical cooperation with other churches. About 6,000 congregation members belong to the Christian Church in South Sulawesi (GKSS). Most of them are female and male farmers who live as a small community in the midst of a large Muslim majority. The present GKSS started in the 19th century as part of the Dutch church for government officials and became independent in 1949. At the outbreak of World War II, the GKSS had approximately 10,000 members. By 1952, membership had shrunk to a mere 600 as a result of two waves of persecution. Although the increase back up to 6,000 members seems to be a small number, it required a lot of courage from the Christian men and women.

OUR CONCERN FOR 2012

The growing radicalisation of Islam in South Sulawesi is spreading uncertainty and worry in the GPIL and the GKSS. The churches are now obliged more than ever to meet Muslim neighbours in dialogue programmes. Together with Muslim representatives they actively seek talks with the government in order to secure peaceful coexistence of the religious communities both now and in future.

PRAYER

Together with our sisters and brothers in faith in Indonesia, we pray as follows:
Lord, our God, we confess that you are the creator and keeper of all human beings. We call upon you in this hour of need and pray for your help. As a small minority, let us not lose the courage to live as your church. We thank you for looking after us in difficult times and pray that you may support our confidence in our efforts to look after the poorest of the poor. Amen.