Academic Journal of Asia Region First Edition - June 2016 MISSION SPARKS: Academic Journal of Asia Region EDITORIAL BOARD Dr. Ferdinand Anno Prof. Dr. Jan Aritonang Dr. Jeaneth Faller Dr. Uwe Hummel Sonia Parera-Hummel, M.Th. (Chief Editor) Drs. Petrus Sugito, M.M. Dr. Retnowati Wiranta PRODUCTION AND ASSISTANCE TEAM Homar Rubert R. Distajo (Editing and Layout) Leila F. Distajo (Translation) Yuli Gulö (Finance and Administration) Uwe Hummel (Translation) Raquel Lipata (Translation) Petrus Sugito M.M. (Coordination) Julian Tampubolon (Production and Distribution) Address: PGIW-SU Building (1st Floor) Jl. Selamat Ketaren No. 100, Pancing, Medan Estate,Medan, 20371 Phone: +62 61 7332470, Fax: +62 61 7332468 Table of Contents I. Editorial Board ………...………………..………………………... 2 II. Foreword (Petrus Sugito) …….....…...……………………………. 4 - 5 III. An Editorial Note (Sonia Parera-Hummel) …..……………………... 6 - 7 IV. Review: The History of UEM Internationalization (H.M. Girsang) ….………………………………………………. 8 - 12  The Way towards United Evangelical Mission (Wolfgang Apelt) …………………………………………... 13 - 15  A Historical Event (Ulrich Beyer) .....…………...………... 16 - 18 V. A Vemily in three continents: UEM Statement on Corporate Identity (Uwe Hummel) …………..……………………………… 19 - 36 VI. Ethnicity: A Challenge or An Enrichment to the Mission of the Church Today and to the Ecumenical Movement? (Andreas A. Yewangoe) ……………………………………... 37 - 45 VII. Overcoming Radicalism through Christian Education (Jeaneth Faller) …….………………………………………. 46 - 54 VIII. God's Mission to the Marginalized in Indonesia .(Jan A. Aritonang) .……………………………………. 55 - 71 IX. Equipping God's People the Jesus Way (Luna Dingayan) ..…………………………………………… 72 - 78 3 Preface Dear Reader, In front of you is the new version of Mission Sparks - an Academic Journal of the Asia Region of the United Evan- gelical Mission (UEM). Until recently, UEM Asia Department had published a monthly Mission Sparks magazine. Each edition contained a theological focus, descriptions of Joint Programs, news from UEM members as well as events in church and socie- ty affecting UEM’s service to the Asia Region. The change from a magazine to this academic journal is necessary due to the following reasons:  Over the years, Asia Department and UEM as a whole had invited many resource persons to Joint Pro- grams (JP). Their valuable contributions, presented dur- ing the JPs, are as yet only known to the participants of those programs and few others. Making these academ- ic papers known to the wider public today is a token of gratitude and appreciation, as well as a contribution to the study on themes considered relevant and urgent to UEM.  On Facebook, UEM Asia Page publishes breaking news immediately and reaches more than 7000 people daily. Therefore, this does not have to be repeated by means of a monthly magazine.  There is also a need of students and lecturers to have access to academic articles and books concerning Mission and Ecumenism in the Spirit of the UEM- communion. There are many students finished their studies with UEM bursaries. Their works (their thesis) could be made known to a broader public through publication in UEM International journal. This journal 4 could be a way to introduce UEM and her mission world wide.  During the two meetings with rectors of different universities and theological seminaries of UEM mem- bers held in 2012 and in 2016, the need of lecturers and students of the respective institutions to publish articles in recognized regional or international maga- zines was mentioned clearly. Since academic contribu- tions in internationally recognized journals are a pre- requisite for any academic career, UEM likes to be of assistance in this matter. The writers of the articles of this new Journal are UEM bur- sary holders, lecturers in the theological seminaries, re- source persons of UEM JP-seminars and workshops. The content of this and coming editions consist of academic research and interdisciplinary cooperation on various so- cial and theological themes, especially concerning mission and ecumenism. The Editorial Board hopes to publish Mission Sparks twice a year (in June and in November), both in print and online. We herewith encourage intellectuals, lecturers and stu- dents, not only in Asia but worldwide, to submit results of their research to Mission Sparks. Drs. Petrus Sugito, M.M. Member of Editorial Board and Coordinator of Production Team. Deputy Executive Secretary in Asia Region. 5 An Editorial Note On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the interna- tionalization of UEM, we are launching this new version of Mission Sparks. The focus of this edition of Mission Sparks is on the ef- forts made before and after 1996 for a German mission- ary society to undergo a drastic change becoming an in- ternational mission organization. A former “mother-and- daughters-relationship” was turned into a communion of equal partners in mission. The “daughter-churches” in Asia and in Africa had long come off age; so it was about time to redefine relationships. Rev. Hamonangan Girsang, member of the preparatory committee (called United in Mission / UiM), and former UEM Executive Secretary for Asia, describes the history of this internationalization process and Wolfgang Apelt made a list of the important stages in the life of UEM. Dr. Ulrich Beyer, former Vice Moderator of UEM, pictures the atmos- phere of the General Assembly 1996 where this important decision was taken. What is the mission of this new UEM? In an attempt to an- swer that, Dr. Uwe Hummel, missionary and former Execu- tive Secretary for Asia of UEM, deliberates on the Corpo- rate Identity of UEM, discussing the roots, principles and tasks contained in the document written in 2007-2008 in an effort of UEM to remain faithful to its calling in today’s world. Within this international family, UEM member-churches have various ethnic backgrounds. Is this ethnicity a chal- 6 lenge or enrichment to the mission of God? Dr. Andreas A. Yewangoe, former chairperson of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), which includes many ethnical- ly defined churches, shares his theological conviction and vision on this issue. Radicalism in any religion is a major challenge for doing church mission today. Dr. Jeaneth Faller, an expert in Christian Education, convinces the reader that a true Christian Education can overcome radicalism. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Jan S. Aritonang of Jakarta Theolog- ical College (STT Jakarta) emphasizes the necessity to do God’s mission among the marginalized people in Indone- sia. Who are they? What do they need? God’s command to serve others needs thorough prepara- tion. Underscoring this insight, Dr. Dingayan – whose main work is training theological students and church workers in the Philippines – argues that Jesus’ way is The Way. May these contributions enable the reader to understand UEM better and strengthen his and her participation in God’s mission. Sonia C. Parera-Hummel, M.Th. Chief Editor and UEM Executive Secretary for Asia 7 Review: The History of the Internationalization of UEM Rev. H.M. Girsang From RMG to VEM Since the 18th century, the Spirit of mission has been moving ever more people in Germany. On September 23, 1 1823, the Rhenish Mission Society (RMG) was established as successor to the smaller auxiliary missionary societies in Elberfeld (1799), Barmen (1818) and Cologne (1822). The towns of Elberfeld and Barmen are neighbours; they later, in 1929, merged forming Wuppertal City. RMG is very active in organizing mission to some coun- tries/territories in Africa and Asia. Only one year after the affiliation, in 1829 RMG had delegated missionaries to South Africa. Chronologically, the missionaries delegated to Borneo (Kalimantan, 1835), Namibia (1842), China (1847), Batak (1861), Nias (1865), PNG (1887), Mentawai (1901), Simalungun (1903), Papua (1960), and Karo (1961). Not all of these activities are still carried out until now. 1 Rheinische Missiongesellschaft (RMG) 8 Due to some issues and considerations, some of the tasks have been handed over to other mission boards, i.e. South Africa to Netherland (Nederlands Zendeling Genootschap/ NZG), Borneo to Basler Mission (Switzerland), Papua New Guinea to Lutheran Church Australia (LCA), and as for Chi- na, since 1951, the contact is only with Chinese Rhenish Church Hong Kong Synod (CRC). In 1971, RMG merged with Bethel Mission which has activ- ities in Tanzania (Africa). Since Bethel is part of Bielefeld City and included within the Westphalia territory, the name of the Mission Board adjusted to its current situa- tion. It is no longer RMG but Vereinigte Evangelische Mis- sion or VEM. Ever since VEM was announced as the mis- sion board of several churches in Germany together with Bethel Institution. Towards the Union of the Mission Board In celebration of the VEM 150th anniversary since its es- tablishment by the name of RMG (1828), in 1978, a con- sultation among the Church Leaders of VEM Supporters in Africa and Asia was held. The consultation took place in Bethel, Germany. The churches known as “VEM partners” are those that came about as the outcome of VEM mis- sionary activities. The consultation agreed on continuing and developing the existing activities by emphasizing on three issues, namely theology, resources and funding. Another agreement was to establish a “Continuation Committee” also called United in Mission (UiM) which later on was evaluated and devel- 9 oped. The “United in Mission” programme was established at that time, although the effect of its establishment on VEM structure has never been discussed before. Ten years later, (1988) a second consultation was held in Mühlheim, Germany. The consultation considered that all of the achievements needed to be improved by giving possibilities for the churches in Africa and Asia to become the member of VEM, similar to the churches in Germany. Therefore, United in Mission was formed with the task of not only continuing and enhancing the achievement of the ‘Continuation Committee’ but to prepare the VEM Basic Management Planning in which the churches in Africa and Asia became VEM members. These tasks had to be com- pleted within at least 3 years. UiM Committee accomplished its task right on time. In 1991 the VEM Basic Management Planning was sent to all leaders of the churches in Africa, Asia and Germany to be studied and to share some suggestions. Ramatea Assembly, Botswana 1993 The main purpose of the assembly was to ratify the by- laws, which had been studied by the church leader for two years. Each article and paragraph was discussed and then th the vote was taken. On October 16 1993, the by-law were then approved in acclamation. The new name of this mis- sion board had not been declared definitively, although it was agreed that the new name should represent the ap- preciation for the transmitted tradition on the one hand and its transformation on the other (continuity and dis- continuity). 10