HKBP dispute
I have to say that The Jakarta Post's news about the HKBP (Batak Protestant Church) problem are really objective. The Jakarta Post doesn't take the information from one side only and it seems to me that The Jakarta Post really understands what the main problem is.
By this forum, I just want to say that there are no Nababan supporters in HKBP. We are not supporting Pdt. D. Dr. S.A.E. Nababan, but we just want to make the Church's constitution obeyed and honored. In other words, we are "The Church's Constitution Supporters." We don't recognize the "special grand synod" at Hotel Tiara, Medan and its products. Why? Because:
* The Constitution of HKBP says: "All HKBP meetings (including synods) must be held at HKBP Churches or buildings that belong to HKBP."
* The Constitution also says: "The elected Bishop is a reverend that hasn't been punished by the church punishment." In fact, their "special grand synod" chose PWT Simanjuntak as their bishop. Whereas PWT Simanjuntak was punished 14 years ago by a Letter No. 4084/S/K-VII/79, dated July 30, 1979, signed by Bishop Ds. GHM Siahaan.
So, there are three basic things that caused the majority of HKBP's followers refuse the "special grand synod." They are:
* Faith--We believe that HKBP as a Church is the body of Jesus Christ.
* Law and the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia--We have to obey and honor the law and constitution of the republic. The law and constitution recognize HKBP as a self-standing board. So, as a self-standing board, HKBP has its own constitution that has to be obeyed and honored by all of its followers.
* "Sadness" feeling and responsibility--We feel sad because the inner side of the HKBP conspires with the outer side of the Church/people who have no standing in the Church/HKBP. And we are responsible for making the Church/HKBP be Church. In other words, "Let the Church be Church..!"
I hope this letter can make all the information about HKBP's dispute clear. If anyone uses the "Nababan's supporters" name again, it will make the dispute longer and unsolvable.
SAUT MANURUNG
Jakarta