Going to Church  vs  Tourism

Going to Church versus tourism has become one challenging not only for believers but for the leaders as well. Moreover, for believers and their congregation in a location that is used as a travel destination. Such issue has escalated into a long and perpetual discussion in certain villages at Raja Ampat District. One of which is the District of Kepulauan Sembilan, GKI Effata Wejim’s Congregation, Raja Ampat District, West Papua.

“Every Sunday, the youth lose their enthusiasm to go to the church, even when the church’s bell rang, it is not only sour to their ears but also it is not missed. Youth prefers to accompany tourists about to stay in resorts and requires their service. Many worship places are empty and there is no spiritual growth because every Sunday everyone is occupied to welcome tourists. Then what will happen to the fate of the congregation, youth and even, the future of the church?” said Viktor, a college student in Yogyakarta which came from Kepulauan Sembilan District, expressing his worries.

Raja Ampat District is a resort with magnificent underwater paradise and is always flocked by either local and international tourists. The beauty of the sea with its archipelago is a very spectacular sight. There are stretching Karst formation and star-shaped lagoons. What a beautiful heavenlike-view.

Church and political discussions that were held by several college students (9/3/2019) took a reflection of one reading entitled “When Thorn Bushes Became Kings” which was taken from the book of Judges, chapter 9:8-15. The discussion was very dynamic because all participants shared their experiences about their local churches. Anis Bame, a college student of Janabadra University from Maybrat, Papua led the discussion fluently. There are many issues occurring inside church life. “Other than the issue of the youth losing interest to go to church, the issues that also often occurs are pastors and priests jumping into practical politics, resulting in a conflict of interests. It became a fierce debate when a priest or pastor stays to serve his congregation while at the same time taking office as a legislative member. This has discomforted members of the congregation”, said Giovani, Chairman of Raja Ampat College Student Association. “Until now there is no clarity in Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) of Papua, whether a priest or pastor can take office legislatively and still serve the congregation or they need to choose one or another”, asks him. Sarloce, Stube-HEMAT working team and Kifli Senen, a college student from Halmahera informed that in Churches in Halmahera (GMIH) are already rules regulating that a priest who nominates himself as a legislative member must put down his priesthood. “All of us has the capability to work together to create harmony inside church and politics by separating church and political institution, but in practice, churches still need to convey God’s voice about injustice and inequality that connects with the political realm”, said Sarloce.

The case of going to church versus tourism, actually it is highly connected with the lack of jobs, triggering youth going to work on Sundays rather than going to church. It could also because priests and pastors don’t preach about welfare, poverty, socio-cultural issues, and economic issues, because they have entered the governmental system.

It becomes our struggle to fight establishment that never hear about people’s struggle, injustice, and inequality. (SAP)