Document
We, 22 churches of 26 member churches of WCC in Indonesia, which also attended by the Igreja Protestante iha Timor Lorosae, gathered at Dhyana Pura, Bali, along with the leaders of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), on 11-14 November 2011. Together we wrestled the joint procession of churches in Indonesia and in Timor Leste under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. After going through Bible study, listening to the current information on current ecumenical developments and shared information from actual experience of churches in Indonesia and Timor Leste, we noted several things, as follows: 1). Although the essence of the ecumenical movement has basically been pretty clear as stated in John 17:21, namely so that the world may believe, but there are still many questions arise in us concerning the understanding of the churches about the ecumenical movement, 2). That the churches in Indonesia and Timor Leste are less faithful in doing ecumenical commitment as seen in the low participation of the churches in the ecumenical activities, low loyalty in meeting the responsibilities in paying contribution, lack of initiative in disseminating the ecumenical struggle issues to the congregations; 3). Less optimal communications between the WCC and member churches, also the lack of initiative of the member churches to access information of the WCC; 4). The low solidarity among the churches, particularly in facing common struggles both on the global, regional, national and local levels, and 5). The presence of the Ecumenical institutions have not yet been optimal and still lack of coordination that do not really show the role as it should
Meanwhile, we also noted the reality that become the present struggle of our context and demanded joint response in ecumenical movements such as: corruption, weak law enforcement, economic injustice, inequality relations between the countries in the North and those in the South, the environmental destruction which threatens the life, conflict and violence, as well as the threat of sectarianism in the reality of multiculturalism.
We realize that the ecumenical struggles and world situation in the global context can not be faced and addressed by the church itself. Therefore we feel how important the existence and function of ecumenical bodies to facilitate and synergize the churches in fulfilling the call of church Tritugas (three tasks) in the midst of society.
We therefore renew our determination to return to the common commitment in the ecumenical movement as a form of reflection of church faith, to optimize the church response towards the problems being faced by the world today. In relation to this we are determined to support programmes and services of the ecumenical bodies, global, regional and national (WCC, CCA, PGI), as ecumenical institutions which we ourselves helped shape, in the form as mentioned in the following attachment.
In the spirit of togetherness and a new commitment to optimize the ecumenical movement on the global, regional and national levels, we recommend the followings:
1. To the WCC member churches in Indonesia and Timor Leste to further enhance the ecumenical commitment as we mentioned in the appendix of this statement.
2. To the WCC so that be more transparent in its governance and be accommodative to the aspirations of the member churches and encourage the churches in implementing ecumenical agreements, as we have described in the attachment of this statement.
So we made this Joint Statement as part of our efforts to follow the hope and prayer of Jesus, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”(John 17:21).
May all these efforts become the glory to His name and blessing to the church and the society.
Dhyana Pura, Bali, 14 November 2011
1. Rev. Oloan Pasaribu, General Secretary GKPI Siantar
2. Rev. Adolv Bastian Marpaung, Bishop GKPA
3. Rev. El Imanson Sumbayak, General Secretary GKPS
4. Rev. Wardinan Lidim, General Secretary GKE
5. Rev. Arliyanus Larosa, General Secretary GKI
6. Rev. John Ruhulessin, Chairperson GPM
7. Rev. Edward Tureay, S.Th, General Secretary GKP
8. Rev. Matius Barus, Moderator/Chairperson GBKP
9. Rev. DJ. Samani, General Secretary GKS
10. Rev. Adrie O Massie, Chairperson GEPSULTRA
11. Rev. Liesje Sumampouw, General Secretary GPI
12. Rev. Abednego Adinugroho, General Secretary GKJW
13. Rev. Adrian Pitoy, General Secretary GPIB
14. Rev. Andreas Untung Wiyono, General Secretary GKJ
15. Rev. Donald Ruy, Regional Secretary GMIH
16. Rev. J. Rense, S.Th, Regional Secretary, GKST
17. Rev. I.Y. Panggalo, Chairperson I GEREJA TORAJA
18. Pdt. I Made Budiarsa, Member of Board GKPB
19. Ms. Meiske Karwur, Vice Treasure GMIM
20. Rev. Kalebi Hia, Ephorus BNKP
21. Rev. M. Pahala Hutabarat, General Secretary HKI
22. Rev. Albino da Costa, General Secretary IPTL (Timor Leste)
23. Pdt. Dr SAE Nababan, President WCC
24. Rev. Dr Margaretha Hendriks-Ririmase, Vice Moderator WCC
25. Rev. Hielke Wolters, Associate General Secretary WCC
26. Pdt. Jenny Girsang, Central Committee WCC
27. Pdt. Made Priana, Central Committee WCC/General Secretary GKPB
28. Ms. Peggy Mekel, Central Committee WCC
29. Rev. Dr Henriete Hutabarat-Lebang, General Secretary CCA
30. Rev. Gomar Gultom, General Secretary PGI
31. Rev. Dong Sung Kim, Staff WCC
32. Ms Caroline Henessy, Staff WCC
33. Mr Sang Youn Lee, Staff WCC
34. Olvi Prihutami, Staff PGI
35. Ms Tiolina Tampubolon, Staff PGI
