Indonesian Cities
By Iman Santoso & Soleiman Irwan
The preparation for transformation through city-based concerts of prayer
Prayer for the transformation of the cities of Indonesia has been going on since 1989. From the year 2000 to 2003, a rapid expansion in the development of a prayer network for the transformation of the cities of Indonesia took place. As of August 2004, there are prayer networks in at least 350 cities in Indonesia, accompanied by reconciliation between Christian leaders and fresh expressions of unity in the Church. The Jakarta Concert of Prayer at the Jakarta Convention Centre (held on February 13, 2003) was filled to its capacity of 5,000 people. During the prayer concert, a historic reconciliation took place between leaders from different Christian streams in Jakarta. The organizers said this reconciliation was a major spiritual breakthrough.
The preparation of facilitators as agents of transformation
If our purpose and goal is toward the transformation of the cities or of the country, we need to have a holistic and global perspective on the movements of God that work simultaneously in different areas of life. We cannot separate the prayer movements from mission movements or other movements of God, for example, in mass media, church planting, evangelism, or acts of mercy.
In order to have a maximum impact for the work of the Kingdom of God, there needs to be the role of facilitators who can relate and join many functioning parts of the Body of Christ. Within the last one or two decades, we have seen movements of God rising up in a new model of ministry: the facilitating ministry.
City-based “Seminars to equip facilitators” are being held throughout the country of Indonesia.
Manila, The Philippines
By Rafael C. Navarro
Envisioning transformation is how Christian leaders took the first step of planning for the transformation of the city of Manila along with the church of Manila. What a transformed Manila and church in Manila look like was the question. Out of the discussions that were held, a vision emerged for the city and the church in the city.
The vision for the city
· Metro Manila: a global metropolis where the spiritual witness, holistic ministry, and moral ascendancy of the church and Christians help transform it into:
· A city of moral rectitude and safety;
· A city of order and discipline, where justice works and people obey the rule of law;
· A city of a productive economy and balanced ecology – jobs with clean air for all;
· A city of hospitality and cultural tolerance;
· A city that provides affordable housing for the poor and basic services that are affordable and accessible by all;
· A city governed by honest and competent politicians and public servants.
The vision for the church
· We see a prayerful, holy and loving church
· Of empowered and equipped members,
· United by their love for the Lord and His word,
· Who reach out to disciple individuals and transform villages
· Into God-fearing, law-abiding neighbor-loving, economically prosperous, and ecologically balanced communities.
· We see churches multiply,
· Formed and led by lay leaders or bi-vocational pastors, who receive on-the-job training, and are honest, have a servant spirit, and are competent leaders.
These vision statements are summaries of the stated preferences of the participants in the workshops. Succeeding attachments reflect all they said. These statements are work in progress; additions and improvements are welcome.