Checkpoint Autumn 2022: Shaped by small groups
Posted on: 12th February 2022
CMS missionaries Andrew Buchanan and Abi Tandiseru serve in a theological college in Indonesia, with long-term links to the student ministry, Perkantas. Here they explain that discipleship in their context works better in small groups. The Perkantas student ministry doesn’t usually use one-to-one discipling. If a small group gets down to just one member, it […]
The benefits of long-term
Posted on: 1st March 2021
CMS missionary Andrew Buchanan, married to Abi, has taught in Indonesia for two decades. It has been continual learning. A few months ago, I taught a Masters’ level class on the New Testament in Toraja. We looked at a number of issues such as honour-shame, rituals and taboos, even literacy, to highlight the areas where local Toraja culture connects with the world of the Bible in ways that Western interpreters are not that interested in. For […]
Teaching theology in Indonesia
Posted on: 22nd May 2019
CMS missionary Andrew Buchanan explores the differences between Indonesian and Western culture, and how that shapes the way he teaches theology in a way his listeners can understand. I remember as a young adult doing Introduction to the Bible as I started the Moore College Preliminary Theological Certificate. At the time, I was familiar with […]
Review: Decision Making By the Book
Posted on: 10th March 2019
Decision Making By The Book by Haddon W. Robinson. Reviewed by CMS missionaries Duncan & Alison, Indonesia In this great little book Haddon W. Robinson shares principles for making wise and decisions. If you’ve ever thought you needed a voice from the Lord to be a missionary (or do any other significant task) this book […]
Exploring mission with Mentac
Posted on: 19th November 2018
CMS missionary E serves in South Asia, but before she arrived at that destination she was involved for two years as an apprentice in the Mentac program supported by CMS. Checkpoint Online asked her some questions about her experience. What did you do during the Mentac program? The training in the program is a mix […]
Preaching Christ in traditional rituals in Toraja
Posted on: 16th November 2018
CMS missionary Andrew Buchanan has been serving in the Church of Toraja in Indonesia since 2002. As the church faces the resurgence of traditional grave cleaning practices, Andrew explains why and how he has recommended to ministers to take part in this ritual. The Church in Toraja ministers to a region that only came into […]
Christmas series: Toraja, Indonesia
Posted on: 10th December 2017
Throughout December, some of our CMS missionaries are sharing what Christmas looks like in their locations and how they celebrate Jesus’ birth. This week we hear from Andrew Buchanan & Abi Tandiseru in Toraja, Indonesia. For the first post in this series, on Germany and Japan, click here.
Assurance and encouragement
Posted on: 9th June 2016
D and his wife served in Indonesia. Now that they have returned to Australia, D reflects on words that built him up during the tough times.
All Saints steps up following Jakarta attack
Posted on: 4th February 2016
On 14 January, Jakarta was rocked by news of a horrific terrorist attack. At the popular Sarinah mall, bombs were detonated and snipers shot into the crowds. Islamic State (IS) quickly claimed responsibility for the attack. Thankfully all CMS personnel in Indonesia were safe, but a member of All Saints Jakarta, where CMS worker Ian Hadfield is the Vicar, was seriously injured…
