HKBP church leaders taking part in the seminar on transformative leadership. Photo: LWF/K. Kiilunen
Newly elected superintendents of Indonesia’s Protestant Christian Batak Church attend seminar on servant leadership
(LWI) - Newly elected leaders of the Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP) in Indonesia have been participating in a three-day seminar to reflect on the vocation, values and practices of transformative leadership in their context. With over 6.3 million members, the HKBP is the largest Lutheran church in Asia, based mainly in Indonesia's North Sumatra province.
The meeting, hosted by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), brought together 34 participants, including district superintendents, heads of church departments and the HKBP General Secretary Rev. Rikson Hutahaean, all of whom were elected at the last Synod in December 2024.
During the meeting, participants were encouraged to reflect on the vocation of leadership, as well as the values that define a good leader within the Lutheran communion. Sessions highlighted the importance of mutual learning through dialogue and shared experiences, urging the Indonesian leaders to strengthen relationships and engagement with other parts of the Lutheran world.
The aim is to empower participants and highlight the importance of strong leadership for the vitality and sustainability of churches within our LWF communion.
Rev. Katariina Kiilunen, LWF’s Program Executive for Capacity Building and Leadership Development
Rev. Katariina Kiilunen, LWF’s Program Executive for Capacity Building and Leadership Development, said the aim of the seminar was “to empower participants and to highlight the importance of strong leadership for the vitality and sustainability of churches within our global LWF communion.” The seminar also focused on the meaningful inclusion of women and young people in decision-making roles. Mutual accountability and self-management skills were other important topics under discussion at the 28 April to 2 May meeting.
In an introductory presentation, the former bishop of the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia, Rev. James Wong spoke about the characteristics of transformative leadership, reflecting on the biblical principles of humility and servant leadership. He highlighted five characteristics necessary for transformative leadership: those in positions of authority must be creative, interactive, visionary, empowering and passionate, he said.
Commenting on the results of the seminar, participant Rev. Dr Deonal Sinaga, head of the Koinonia department, said the meeting was important “for broadening our perspectives, opening our minds and deepening our understanding of leadership, as well as the values and principles upheld by the LWF.” The meeting “helped us as HKBP leaders to grow closer together,” he said, “strengthening our unity as we work toward shared goals, both within and beyond the HKBP community.”
