Indonesian Methodists help during economic crisis

STAMFORD, Conn. (UMNS) – Despite its own funding problems, the Methodist Church in Indonesia is helping others affected by that country's economic downturn.

The church has been distributing basic necessities, such as rice, to the unemployed, said Bishop Humala Doloksaribu, speaking to directors of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries during the April 20-23 meeting here.

Indonesia's economic crisis has affected 85 percent of its factories and stores, with the unemployment rate at 20 percent and rising, according to the bishop. Inflation has caused some prices to jump as much as 400 percent. The cost of milk, for example, has increased 200 percent.

Pastors have seen their own salaries decrease, Doloksaribu said, and no funds are available to pay salaries at the Methodist seminary, which is threatened with closure.

However, the bishop believes the economic situation will improve eventually. "This is a temporary crisis because my country is a very rich country – rich with many resources," he said.

The Methodist Church in Indonesia, known as the Gereja Methodist Indonesia, also has other schools, a hospital and several clinics. Currently, there are 276 churches, 248 preaching posts, 157 ordained pastors and hundreds of lay speakers. They serve more than 40,000 full members and another 50,000 potential members.

The bishop thanked directors for the board's regular financial aid and asked for their prayers. He also left them a typewritten appeal for $200,000 in emergency funds, which would be used for basic necessities, medicine and agricultural needs in the church's 10 districts.

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New York, and Washington.