Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks On Christianity in Indonesia (Ep. 284)
Dec 17, 2024
Eric Yee, lead pastor of Harvest Mission Community Church in Jakarta, shares insights on Christianity in Indonesia. He discusses how historical events like the 1998 riots shaped English-speaking congregations and the unique challenges they face. The conversation dives into Indonesia's complex religious landscape, the role of pastors in missions, and the significance of community in church life. Yee also highlights distinctive worship practices, such as lengthy prayer sessions and the importance of pastoral care in building strong relationships.
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1998 Riots Shaped Church Demographics
- The 1998 riots in Indonesia caused many of the merchant class, mostly ethnic Chinese, to send their children abroad for education.
- Many of these children grew in faith overseas and sought English-speaking, expositional churches upon their return around 2010.
Indonesia's Religious Freedom Nuances
- Indonesia recognizes six major religions with legal equal rights and freedom of religious practice.
- However, ID cards label religion, restricting interfaith marriage and proselytizing is illegal though personal conversion is allowed.
Christian Persecution Varies by Region
- Persecution of Christians varies by location; urban areas experience less social persecution than rural areas.
- Some conservative Muslim regions, like Aceh, have had tensions regarding evangelism, especially post-tsunami.
