Location:

Indonesia

Agreement Term:

Full Time, Four Years

Anticipated start date(s) include:

July 12, 2026

Agreement Type:

Long-term

Description:

The church music position is called through the Batak Christian Protestant Church (Huria Kristen Batak Protestan), and works with four locations in North Sumatra, Indonesia, each of which can be reached within 45 minutes from one another.

1. Sekolah Tinggi Bibelvrow (STB), Bible Women School in Laguboti town, in Toba Regency.
2. Sekolah Tinggi Guru Huria (STGh), Teacher Preacher School, in Seminarium Sipoholon in North Tapanuli Regency.
3. Worship and Liturgy Bureau of the Department of Mission, North Tapanuli Regency in Tarutung.
4. The HKBP Youth Training Village in Jetun Silangit, North Tapanuli Regency.

The schools offer university level first degrees.

Timeline:

• Application Opens: February 2026
• Interviews: February 2026 - April 2026
• ELCA Orientation in-person: July 2026
• Deploy to Indonesia: Late Summer/Fall 2026

Site Information:

• Sekolah Tinggi Bibelvrow in Laguboti is a theological institution which trains prospective Bible Women of the HKBP, those who in congregations are in charge of teaching Sunday School pupils, women groups and proclaim the gospel to them.
• Sekolah Tinggi Guru Huria in Sipoholon is a theological institution which trains prospective Teacher Preachers (assistants of the pastors) in congregations, whose tasks is to play and lead worship music, as well as train musicians in the church.
• Bureau of Worship and Liturgy of the Department of Mission of the HKBP at the head office sets the direction for congregational worship and liturgy practices, and organizes trainings for congregational musicians and song leaders.
• HKBP Youth Village in Jetun Silangit is a place of informal training for different groups within the HKBP and for meditation. There is a conference hall with a capacity of 2,500. Other trainings including in agro-tourism; and creative economic empowerment to help the people of the Toba Lake are in various skills including music and agriculture. The residence for the missionary is located on the campus.
• In Laguboti, Sipoholon/Tarutung and Jetun Silangit, there are sufficient markets, schools (up through high school), and hospitals. The schools and hospitals are operated by the local government and by the HKBP. In Siborongborong, which can be reached within 15 minutes from Jetun Silangit, there are adequate state schools. There are also adequate schools in Balige, the capital town of Toba Regency, which can be reached from Jetun Silangit within 30 minutes drive. All schools are in the Indonesian language and there are no international schools.

Assignment Includes:

• Teach and train the students at the Bible Women and Teacher Preacher schools.
• Train church musicians and song leaders of HKBP congregations.
• Train the youth in music through programs at the HKBP Youth Village.
• To organize and lead music concert at the HKBP Youth Village Conference Hall in Jetun Silangit, Siborongborong, North Tapanuli Regency.
• Work with the HKBP worship committee on worship reforms
• Behasa Indonesia language can be learned.

This is an ELCA sponsorable position.

All ELCA long-term global personnel participate in mission interpretation and storytelling. This includes:

• Quarterly newsletters to sponsoring congregations and individuals.
• Virtual visits throughout the year with sponsoring congregations and individuals.
• In-person visits are required typically every two years including travel back to the United States to visit sponsoring congregations and individuals

Experience and Skills:

• Master’s degree or above in Music, preferably church music. It is a state regulated requirements to teach in the two schools to be a holder of postgraduate degree, and ability to teach students academically and skillfully.
• An MDiv or an ELCA Deacon with a strong understanding of worship and music is acceptable.
• Ability to train instrumental music, preferably church organs (keyboards), and choral music. Indigenous musical instruments are also utilized.
• Experience in training choir trainers, choir masters, and song leaders; and trainers for church worship.
• Christian faith and a commitment to the mission of the church
• Openness to various expressions of Christian faith and respect for people of other faiths
• Respect for beliefs, values and customs of church and culture where assigned?
• Well-developed inter-personal skills demonstrating understanding and compassion
• Demonstrate ability to carry out the responsibilities and the ability to adapt to different standards and practices
• Ability to work within the framework of a local administration
• Adaptable and flexible - sense of humor - good physical and emotional health
• Live and serve in a way which reflects the vision and expectations of the ELCA

Terms and Conditions:

• Long-Term Terms and Conditions
• This position is supported under the terms of ELCA Service and Justice Expectations and Support for Long Term Mission Personnel. Those provisions include international transportation, transportation related to work assignment, pensions and major medical coverage, assistance with schooling for children through high school, housing and cash salary which is adjusted according to the goods and services differential for Indonesia.
• Salary is based on years of work experience.
• If candidate is married, both must complete an application for this position for discernment of the appropriate pattern of service of the spouse. In the context of global mission service, the accompanying spouse is seen as a representative of the ELCA and of the receiving church regardless of their actual role. It is important for the ELCA that both members of a couple understand the role of a missionary and are comfortable with that reality.

Physical Efforts:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Employees will occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

A psychological evaluation is required.

Benefits:

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees and dependent, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer additional benefits upon deployment to the country of service.