Rev Dr Bernard Chao at the 2026 Aldersgate Seminar in Indonesia

Rev Dr Bernard Chao was the keynote speaker at the 2026 Aldersgate Seminar of the Gereja Methodist Indonesia (the Methodist Church in Indonesia), held on Tue 26 May 2026 in Medan, Indonesia.

The theme of the seminar was “Spiritual Formation in a Digital Age.” Dr Chao spoke on the theme across four sessions that included highly interactive dialogue with the seminar participants. The four sessions explored these sub-topics:

1. A Wesleyan Tradition of Innovation
2. Wesleyan Innovation for Spiritual Formation in Homes, Churches & Schools in a Digital Age
3. A Wesleyan Response to Digital Advances, AI and Transhumanism
4. Wesleyan Innovation for Leadership in a Phygital and Hyperconnected World

This year’s Aldersgate Seminar was a special combined celebration by all three regions (North Sumatra, Java, and the Development Annual Conference). As such, this was a rare gathering of the council of bishops, pastors, and church leaders from all over Indonesia. About five hundred attended the seminar onsite and online.

Dr Chao with the Council of Bishops: Bishop Antoni Manurung, Bishop Iwan Karo-Karo, and Bishop Tahir Widjaja

Publicity for the 2026 Aldersgate Seminar