Batak Christian Protestant Church

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Batak Christian Protestant Church
Huria Kristen Batak Protestan
HKBP ( Huria Kristen Batak Protestan ).svg
AbbreviationHKBP
Classification Christianity
Orientation Protestant
Scripture Protestant Bible
Theology Lutheran [a]
Polity Episcopal
First Ephorus The Rt Rev. Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen
Current Ephorus Rev. Victor Tinambunan  [ id ]
Associations See below
Region Indonesia, United States, Europe, Singapore, and Malaysia
Language Indonesian, Toba Batak
Headquarters Hutatoruan V, Tarutung, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Origin7 October 1861
Separated from Rhenish Missionary Society (RMG)
Separations
Members> 6,500,000 (as of 2024)
Official website hkbp.or.id

The Batak Christian Protestant Church (Indonesian : Huria Kristen Batak Protestan), abbreviated as HKBP, is an Evangelical Lutheran church among the Toba Batak ethnic group, generally the Toba Batak people of Indonesia. This church uses an Ecumenical worship style influenced by the Dutch Reformed Church due to the influence of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia, as well as the Pietistic legacy left by the Rhenish Missionary Society when the church was founded. [2] With a membership more than 6,500,000 (as of 2024), [3] [4] the church synod is the largest among the Protestant churches in Indonesia. It is one of the largest Protestant churches in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, making it the third largest religious organization in Indonesia after Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah. [5] Its present leader is Ephorus (bishop) Victor Tinambunan. [6]

Contents

HKBP also has several churches abroad, such as in Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States of America.

HKBP is headquartered in Pearaja (North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra) which is about 1 km from the city center of Tarutung, the capital of the regency. Pearaja is a village located along the road to Central Tapanuli Regency and Sibolga city. The HKBP headquarters complex is located in an area of about 20 hectares (49 acres). In this complex there is also an Ephorus (bishop) as the head of the HKBP office. Although Toba Batak is the majority ethnic group, HKBP is also open to other ethnic groups. [7]

History

Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen Ingwer Ludwig Nommensen (1834-1918).png
Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen

The first Protestant missionaries who tried to reach the Batak highlands of inner Northern Sumatra were English and American Baptist preachers in the 1820s and 1830s, but without any success. After Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn and Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk did intensive research on Batak language and culture in the 1840s, a new attempt was made in 1861 by several missionaries sent out by the German Rhenish Missionary Society (RMG). The first Bataks were baptized during this year. In 1864, Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen of the RMG reached the Batak region and founded a village called "Huta Dame" (village of peace) in the district of North Tapanuli Regency in Tarutung, North Sumatra.

The RMG was associated with the uniting churches also called a merged denomination that includes a Lutheran element. However, Nommensen and local leaders developed an approach that applied local custom to Christian belief.

In 1868, a local seminary for the education of teachers was opened in Sipirok, and in 1877 a seminary for the education of preachers was built in Pansurnapitu. 1881, Nommensen was officially nominated "ephorus" of the Batak congregations by the RMG. In 1885, the first Batak ministers were ordained in Pearaja Tarutung, where the HKBP headquarters is still located.

In 1889, the RMG sent out Hester Needham who started the work with girls and women and later established the first Batak deaconess. In the last quarter of the 19th century, further missionaries of the RMG were sent out to the other Batak tribes (Angkola, Dairi, Simalungun, Karo, and Pakpak).

HKBP Headquarters Complex in Pearaja, Tarutung, North Sumatra Kantor Pusat HKBP (by Gerejanesia).jpg
HKBP Headquarters Complex in Pearaja, Tarutung, North Sumatra
Church in Balige, North Sumatra, built since 1917 Balige church.JPG
Church in Balige, North Sumatra, built since 1917
Church in Medan, North Sumatra, built since 1952 HKBP Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Res. Medan 04.jpg
Church in Medan, North Sumatra, built since 1952
The Interior, Altar, and Pulpit of HKBP Balige HKBP Balige, Res. Balige 08.jpg
The Interior, Altar, and Pulpit of HKBP Balige
The Interior, Altar, and Pulpit of HKBP Medan Sudirman HKBP Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Res. Medan 06.jpg
The Interior, Altar, and Pulpit of HKBP Medan Sudirman

In 1917, the "Hatopan Christen Batak" (HCB) which later became one of the nuclei for the independent Batak church, was founded in Tapanuli as a social movement.

In 1922, the first General Synod ("Sinode Godang") for all Batak congregations was held. In 1931 the HKBP became the first independent self-governing Christian body in what was then the Dutch East Indies.

In 1940, all Germans working for the RMG, including pastors and ministers, were detained by the Dutch government. The Rev. Sirait was chosen by the synod as the first indigenous ephorus of HKBP.

In 1952, while maintaining its indigenous character, the HKBP became a member of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). [8] In 1954, HKBP founded Nommensen University. In 1977, Sekolah Tinggi Theologia (STT or "Theological Seminary") HKBP split from Nommensen University.

Over the years, a number of church bodies have split from HKBP for various cultural and doctrinal reasons. However, HKBP remains the largest Indonesian LWF member by a factor of ten and also remains in communion with daughter church bodies through the LWF. Tarutung and the Batak lands region remain the stronghold for the HKBP in the predominantly Muslim nation of Indonesia, although worshippers are found throughout Indonesia and worldwide. [9]

Well known HKBP congregants include Amir Sjarifuddin (the only Christian prime minister of Indonesia), Todung Sutan Gunung (TSG) Mulia (the second Indonesian education minister), and General Tahi Bonar (TB) Simatupang.

In January 2010 two churches were burnt down by extremist mobs in Sibuhuan. [10]

Ecumenical relations

HKBP is a member of and active participant in the World Council of Churches, Christian Conference of Asia, Lutheran World Federation, Asia Lutheran Communion, [11] Communion of Churches in Indonesia, and United Evangelical Mission. [12]

Agenda

The book of liturgical procedure used by the HKBP is referred to as the "Agenda" or formerly as the "Agende". This term comes from the European Protestant use of agenda. [13]

Leaders

Ephoruses

No.NameFromUntilNotes
1. The Rt Rev. Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen 18811918First ephorus
2. The Rev. Valentin Kessel 19181920Temporary officeholder of Ephorus, due to the First World War preventing Johannes Warneck from arriving.
3.The Rev. Johannes Warneck 19201932
4.The Rev. P. Landgrebe 19321936
5.The Rev. E. Verwiebe 19361940Interned by the Dutch colonial government after the German invasion of the Netherlands.
6.The Rev. K. Sirait 19401942The first Batak that became Ephorus.
7.The Rev. Justin Sihombing 19421962
8.The Rev T. S. Sihombing19621974Elected in Special General Synod.
9.The Rev. G. H. M. Siahaan 19741986
10.The Rev. S. A. E. Nababan 19861998 HKBP Crisis happened from 1992 to 1998 that resulted in dualism of HKBP's leadership until 1998.
11.The Rev. S. M. Siahaan (as Bishop or Ephorus)19921993
12.The Rev. P. W. T. Simanjuntak 19931998Elected in Special General Synod.
13.The Rev. J. R. Hutauruk 19981998Elected as temporary officeholder of Bishop.
19982004Elected in Reconciliation General Synod.
14.The Rev. Bonar Napitupulu 20042008
The Rev. Bonar Napitupulu20082012Elected in the 59th HKBP General Synod in Sipolohon Seminarium. [14]
15.The Rev. W. T. P. Simarmata20122016Elected in the 61st HKBP General Synod in Sipolohon Seminarium. [15]
16.The Rev. Darwin Lumbantobing 20162020Elected in the 62nd HKBP General Synod in Sipolohon Seminarium. [16]
17.The Rev. Robinson Butarbutar 20202024Elected in the 65th HKBP General Synod in Sipolohon Seminarium. [17]
18.The Rev. Victor Tinambunan20242028Elected in the 67th HKBP General Synod in Sipolohon Seminarium. [18]

General secretaries

No.NameFromUntilNotes
1.The Rev. Karimuda Sitompul19501957First Secretary General of HKBP
2.The Rev. T. S. Sihombing19571962
3.The Rev. G. H. M. Siahaan19621974
4.The Rev. F. H. Sianipar19741978
5.The Rev. P. M. Sihombing19781986
6.The Rev. O. P. T. Simorangkir19861992
7.The Rev. S. M. Siahaan19921998
8.The Rev. W. T. P. Simarmata19982008
9.The Rev. Ramlan Hutahaean 20082012
10.The Rev. Mory Sihombing20122016
11.The Rev. David F. Sibuea [19] 20162020
12.The Rev. Victor Tinambunan20202024
13.The Rev. Rikson Hutahaean20242028

Head of Koinonia Department

No.NameFromUntilNotes
1.The Rev. Bistok M. Siagian20042008
2.The Rev. Jamilin Sirait20082012
3.The Rev. Welman P. Tampubolon20122016
4.The Rev. Martongo Sitinjak20162020
5.The Rev. Deonal Sinaga20202028

Head of Marturia Department

No.NameFromUntilNotes
1.The Rev. Manumpan H. Sihite20042008
2.The Rev. Binsar Nainggolan20082012
3.The Rev. Marolop P. Sinaga20122016
4.The Rev. Anna Ch. Vera Pangaribuan20162020
5.The Rev. Kardi Simanjuntak20202022
6.The Rev. Daniel T. A. Harahap20222024
7.The Rev. Bernard Manik20242028

Head of Diakonia Department

No.NameFromUntilNotes
1.The Rev. Nelson F. Siregar20042012
2.The Rev. Bihelman D. F. Sidabutar20122016
3.The Rev. Debora Purada Sinaga20162024
4.The Rev. Eldarton Simbolon20242028

See also

Notes

  1. HKBP Confession [1]

References

  1. "Konfesi HKBP". HKBP-Guidebook.com (in Indonesian). 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  2. "HKBP: Gereja Lutheran Gado-gado". SAEnababan.com (in Indonesian). 30 August 2021. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  3. Antara (23 December 2024). "HKBP tekankan pentingnya kerja sama dengan pemerintah". antaranews.com (in Indonesian).
  4. VIVA (24 December 2024). "HKBP Bakal Fokus di 3 Sektor Ini Selama 4 Tahun ke Depan". ceritakita.viva.co.id (in Indonesian).
  5. Batak Gaul. "HKBP Organisasi Keagamaan Terbesar Ketiga di Indonesia". Batak Gaul (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  6. "Sosok Pendeta Victor Tinambunan, Ephorus HKBP Terpilih di Sinode Godang ke-67, Raih 1.125 Suara". Tribun-medan.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  7. Pinem, Masmedia; Burhanudin, Dede; Cahyadi, Indrawan; Rohanda, Rohanda; Nurjaman, Andri (23 August 2024). "Reviving Faith: The Dynamic Legacy of HKBP Resort Balige Church". Hanifiya: Jurnal Studi Agama-Agama. 7 (2): 173–192. doi: 10.15575/hanifiya.v7i2.37495 . ISSN   2722-2772 . Retrieved 28 November 2024. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates textfrom this source, which is available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
  8. Aritonang, Jan Sihar; Steenbrink, Karel (2008), A history of Christianity in Indonesia, Leiden, The Netherlands: Koninklijke Brill NV, p. 554, ISBN   978-90-04-17026-1 , retrieved 30 November 2010, Membership of LWF was not promptly achieved because one of the requirements was that HKBP had to accept the Augsburg Confession of the Lutheran church. The HKBP leaders were aware that they were not purely Lutheran since they had inherited from the RMG the so-called Uniert tradition, that is a union or combination of Calvinist and Lutheran traditions, and they wanted to define their own theological identity. To solve this problem, HKBP formulated its own confession in 1951 that on the one hand adopted the Augsburg Confession and on the other hand reflected its own theological struggle and standpoint. The LWF assembly in 1952 accepted this Confessie HKBP 1951 as not contrary to the Lutheran doctrine and confession.
  9. Hillerbrand, Hans Joachim (2004), "Batak Protestant Christian Church of Indonesia", The encyclopedia of Protestantism, vol. 1, New York: Routledge (Taylor & Francis), pp. 337–338, ISBN   0-415-92472-3 , retrieved 1 December 2010
  10. Hariyadi, Mathias (23 January 2010). "North Sumatra, two Protestant churches burnt: "too many faithful and too many prayers"". AsiaNews. Retrieved 7 January 2012. A crowd of at least 1000 people burned down two Protestant churches last night in Sibuhuan (district of Padang Lawas, North Sumatra). The blaze was the culmination of tension between the faithful and the local Islamic community, tired of seeing "too many faithful and too many prayers" in a place not registered as a church.
  11. "Asia". Lutheran World Federation. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  12. Pauly, Martina. "Who we are". www.vemission.org. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  13. Newman, Albert Henry (1951) [1909], "Agenda", in Jackson, Samuel Macauley; Loetscher, Lefferts A. (eds.), The New Schaff-Herzog encyclopedia of religious knowledge, Christian Classics Etherial Library, vol. I, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, pp. 84–86, ISBN   0-8010-7947-0 , retrieved 31 May 2011{{citation}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  14. Hari Ini, Pucuk Pimpinan HKBP Periode 2008–2012 Dilantik di Pearaja, Harian Sinar Indonesia Baru [ permanent dead link ], diakses 7 September 2008
  15. Ini Dia Para Pemimpin HKBP (Ephorus, Sekjen, Kadep) dan Daftar Praeses HKBP yang Baru Periode 2012 – 2016, Pargodungan.org, diakses 14 Oktober 2013
  16. "Darwin Lumbantobing Terpilih Jadi Ephorus HKBP". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). 16 September 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  17. markus (14 December 2020). "Pdt Dr Robinson Butarbutar, Ephorus HKBP Periode 2020-2024". Website PGI (in Indonesian). Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  18. "Sosok Pendeta Victor Tinambunan, Ephorus HKBP Terpilih di Sinode Godang ke-67, Raih 1.125 Suara". Tribun-medan.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  19. "Pdt. David F. Sibuaea, Sekjen HKBP 2016–2020". pelitabatak.com (in Indonesian). 7 December 2024.