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Catechesis is the main means for the Church to educate and pass on the faith to the people. However, people with disabilities often experience limited access to faith education that suits their needs. This paper discusses how catechesis can be more inclusive in guiding people with disabilities to the knowledge of faith. This study aims to: (1) identify the challenges faced by people with disabilities in attending catechesis, (2) explain the strategies and methods that can be applied in inclusive catechesis, (3) propose concrete steps for the Church in developing catechesis that is more adaptive to the needs of people with disabilities. The formulation of the problems that form the basis of this research include: first, what are the challenges faced by people with disabilities in receiving faith education? Second, how can catechesis be designed to be more inclusive for people with disabilities? Third, what is the role of the Church in supporting inclusive catechesis? With a more adaptive approach and friendly methods for people with disabilities, the Church can ensure that every believer, without exception, has the same opportunity to understand and live the Christian faith.

This study aims to design a contextual and educational pastoral model, assess its level of acceptance, and analyze the positive impact it brings both to the elderly as the service recipients and to students as pastoral partners in the life of the Church. The background of this research lies in the need for a more personal, participatory pastoral approach that touches the emotional and spiritual dimensions of elderly individuals living in Catholic nursing homes. Elderly people often experience loneliness, isolation, and a decline in life motivation. Meanwhile, Catholic students need tangible opportunities to live out their faith values through real actions. The research method employed is Research and Development (R&D), comprising stages such as preliminary study, model design, expert validation, limited trials, and evaluation. The model developed consists of a contextual Liturgy of the Word involving students as Scripture readers, prayer leaders, musicians, and givers of symbolic gifts of love, such as rosaries, to the elderly. The results of the study show that the model was enthusiastically received by the elderly, who expressed joy, active participation in the service, and showed behavioral changes such as praying independently at night and increased social interaction. On the other hand, students experienced growth in faith, empathy, and a deeper awareness of the meaning of service. Therefore, this model is considered appropriate for implementation as part of pastoral care for the elderly and integrated faith formation for the younger generation within the broader context of the Church.

Catechists hold a crucial role in accompanying the faithful on their spiritual journey. This study aims to explore the dimensions of spirituality and the vocational dynamics of catechists within the pastoral context of the Catholic Church, employing a descriptive qualitative approach. Unlike previous studies that primarily emphasized the catechist as a doctrinal instructor, this research highlights the depth of the catechist's personal relationship with Christ as the foundation of their spirituality. The main findings reveal that catechist spirituality manifests in three key dimensions: (1) a contemplative and intimate relationship with Christ as a source of inspiration and strength, (2) a commitment to service that goes beyond institutional routines, and (3) active engagement within the faith community as a space for growth and mission. Furthermore, this study identifies that the awareness of the catechist’s vocation evolves through theological reflection on concrete pastoral experiences—an aspect often overlooked in prior research. These findings underscore the urgency of continuous formation programs that are not only pedagogical but also spiritual and contextual, in order to strengthen the identity and missionary resilience of catechists amid contemporary pastoral challenges.

Pastoral ministry is a divine calling that demands faithfulness, vigilance, and wholehearted love in caring for God’s flock. However, in the reality of ministry, many church shepherds face complex and burdensome challenges in fulfilling this responsibility. A failure to understand and implement authority based on the character of Christ often becomes the root problem in pastoral ministry. This study aims to explore the dynamics of pastoral ministry in the context of today’s church, particularly in light of 1 Peter 5:1–4. The approach used is qualitative descriptive, based on a literature review, with a focus on relevant theological and pastoral works. The findings reveal that many pastors experience spiritual and emotional exhaustion, especially when their ministry lacks support from an adequate organizational structure, or when the congregation’s expectations are misaligned with the church’s mission. In this context, true shepherding—as explained by figures such as Bill Lawrence and Phil Pringle—must be rooted in Christ as the Head of the Church. A pastor is called to serve with humility, not to dominate or pursue personal interests. Furthermore, a deep understanding of the biblical metaphor concerning the relationship between shepherd and sheep is essential to avoid distortions in meaning and deviant ministry practices. An emphasis on love, responsibility, and exemplary conduct becomes the foundational framework for building an integrous pastoral ministry. This study concludes that pastoral ministry will be more effective when supported by clear church organizational policies, a deep theological foundation, and pure ministry motivations. Thus, pastoral ministry is not merely an administrative task, but a manifestation of God's love expressed through the lives of His servants.

This article examines Christian inclusivism through the theological tension between the centrality of Christ and the breadth of God’s grace in the context of the contemporary Indonesian church. Using a qualitative library-based and constructive-theological approach, the study analyzes the concepts of wider hope, general revelation, fulfillment model, Karl Rahner’s anonymous Christianity, and evangelical inclusivism. The article argues that Christian inclusivism is not a weak compromise between exclusivism and pluralism, but a constructive framework that preserves Christ as the center of salvation while acknowledging the possibility of divine work beyond the formal boundaries of the church. In Indonesia’s multireligious society, this model helps the church develop a faithful yet dialogical public presence. It supports witness without coercion, interfaith dialogue without the loss of Christian identity, and social cooperation without relativizing Christ. Furthermore, inclusivism encourages the church to articulate its faith with humility, openness, and responsibility. Thus, inclusivism offers a relevant theology of religions for ecclesial life, mission, and public engagement in contemporary Indonesia.

Effective church service is rooted in spiritual education from an early age, especially through Sunday School. II Timothy 3:15–17 emphasises the role of Scripture in shaping character and readiness for every good deed. This study aims to examine the effect of the Sunday School curriculum based on this verse on the interest of the congregation in serving the Jakarta Baptist Citra Indah City Jonggol Church. A theologically strong and pedagogically planned curriculum is believed to be able to transform the faith of children and teenagers into concrete actions in ministry. In Christian education, teaching is not only informative but also transformative, integrating faith and action. A Bible-based Sunday school curriculum can serve as a means of shaping character, faith, and awareness of a call to ministry from an early age. The interest in service itself is an internal drive that encourages a person's active involvement in service activities in response to God's calling. This study is expected to provide practical contributions to local churches in designing relevant and applicable spiritual curricula, as well as being able to foster a generation of ministers who are militant, loving, and ready to carry out their roles in the church and society.

This study aims to reveal parenting strategies in shaping the character of Christian children's faith amidst the challenges of the modern era. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation, this study was conducted in a local church environment. The findings show that Christian parents implement three main strategies, namely: exemplary living based on the teachings of Christ, spiritual discipline through family worship activities, and creating quality time with children. Despite facing challenges such as busy work, the influence of digital media, and inconsistent behavior, most parents still try to evaluate themselves and maintain the values ​​of faith in the household. Effective parenting is not only instructional, but also relational and spiritual, emphasizing the importance of the role of parents as real life role models. The results of this study are expected to be a reference for churches, Christian schools, and parent communities in developing strategies for fostering children's faith in a sustainable manner amidst the dynamic development of the era.

This article discusses the design and development of a Christian Religious Education (PAK) curriculum for families with the aim of making families salt and light in the world. Referring to the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew 5:13-16, families are expected to be role models in everyday life through the application of Christian values. This curriculum includes teaching about family theology, the application of Christ's teachings in practical life, character building, and strengthening relationships between family members. The method used in this article is a qualitative method of data obtained through interviews with several families who have implemented the PAK Family curriculum. Curriculum planning is adjusted to the age and developmental stage of family members, and is accompanied by an evaluation to assess the effectiveness of implementation. The role of the church in supporting the implementation of this curriculum is also discussed, where the church functions as a partner in providing resources and training for families. This research is expected to provide a positive contribution to the formation of families based on the Christian faith, which can have a broad impact on society as true salt and light.

This study aims to identify challenges and formulate strategies for the implementation of professional competencies of Christian Religious Education (PAK) teachers based on artificial intelligence (AI) at the primary school level, with a focus on SD Negeri 071162 Esiwa. The background of this study begins with the increasing demands of the digital curriculum, while PAK teachers still face limitations in technological literacy, digital infrastructure, and the availability of contextualized Christian faith-based learning media. This study used a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques through interviews, classroom observations, and documentation. The research subjects consisted of one principal and ten students in grades IV-VI. The results showed that low mastery of technology by teachers, limited digital devices, and lack of institutional support are the main obstacles in the integration of AI in PAK learning. However, AI has great potential to enhance students' learning experience spiritually and digitally through interactive, visual, and narrative Bible-based approaches. This research recommends spiritual technology-based teacher training, strengthening school infrastructure, developing contextualized teaching materials based on local culture, and collaboration between schools, churches, and Christian app developers. The findings contribute to the development of an adaptive, contextual, and transpersonal PAK learning model.

This study aims to explain the moral values taught to the Church of Christ by the Apostolic Fathers. Through a literature review, it was found that the main principles of the teachings and way of life of the Apostolic Fathers were centered on Christ. They held firmly to apostolic dogma and accepted the authority of the Bible as the foundation of church teaching. The moral values they passed down became a model that shaped the foundation of the universal church throughout history. Figures such as Polycarp, Ignatius, Hermas, Clement, and Papias were devout church leaders who received direct guidance and the laying on of hands from the apostles of Jesus. Their steadfastness of faith often led to martyrdom, which is seen as a true confession of faith in the likeness of Christ. The spiritual heritage of the Apostolic Fathers remains relevant and can be interpreted within various cultural contexts, including the practice of church life in Indonesia. Through their exemplary lives and teachings, the Apostolic Fathers emphasized the importance of Christ-centered faith and obedience to the Scriptures. Thus, the moral values they taught continue to serve as guidelines for the church throughout all generations.

This article explores the challenges and opportunities faced by the authority of the Bible in the context of postmodern culture. Postmodernism—characterized by truth relativism, the deconstruction of meaning, and skepticism toward institutions—has significantly shifted society’s perception of authoritative texts, including Scripture. Drawing on key thinkers such as Lyotard, Derrida, Vanhoozer, and Grenz, the study examines how biblical authority is no longer universally accepted but interpreted through the lens of individual subjectivity and personal experience. In response to this shift, the article proposes several constructive hermeneutical approaches—contextual, narrative, communal, and pneumatological—that allow Christians to remain faithful to divine revelation while addressing the needs of contemporary culture. It also emphasizes the importance of embodied witness and the role of the church as a community of interpretation that brings the authority of the Bible to life in practical, relational, and socially relevant ways. Ultimately, this study concludes that although postmodernism questions claims of absolute truth, it also provides a meaningful space for the church to reimagine how Scripture can be lived out and communicated effectively in a changing world.

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Bible study worship in shaping Christian character among Naposo Bulung (church youth) at HKI Resort Khusus Sidikalang Kota. Field observations revealed that many youth were not fully engaged in worship activities, often distracted by mobile phones, chatting during services, and showing a lack of appreciation for spiritual advice. The research employed a qualitative descriptive method using observation and interviews with active participants of Bible study worship. The results show that Bible study worship significantly contributes to enhancing worship discipline, deepening theological understanding, and developing Christian values such as love, forgiveness, humility, and spiritual responsibility. Despite challenges such as busy schedules and digital distractions, a contextual approach to Bible study effectively addresses both the spiritual and social needs of Naposo Bulung. Therefore, Bible study worship proves to be an effective means of holistic character formation for the church's younger generation—spiritually, morally, and socially. This activity should continue to be developed and adapted to contemporary contexts so that the church can shape resilient young people in faith and Christian character.

This study aims to determine the role of pastoral care in motivating the congregation to attend Sunday services at GKPI Simangaronsang Resort Doloksanggul. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed descriptively qualitatively. The lack of congregation motivation is caused by faith that has not grown, personal problems, economic problems, and conflicts between congregations and with church leaders. The results of the study indicate that the role of pastors and elders in motivating the congregation has not been maximized. Pastoral care such as visits and coaching of the congregation is very important to build motivation and strengthen faith and the relationship between the congregation and the church. Therefore, pastoral care is a vital aspect in church life and the motivation of congregational worship.

The development of Christology in the first century, from up to the 5th century, shows how the Church formulated the true teachings of Jesus Christ on different theological agendas in the middle. This struggle not only strengthened the understanding of Christ's identity, but also served as a basis for Christian faith in understanding the operation of salvation. This research is a qualitative research using the literature study method. The research was designed to analyze the development of Christology from the first century to the fifth century, especially in understanding how theological thinking about Jesus Christ developed in church history.

AbstractWith humility and example, servants of Christ will further build faith, provide a positive impactthrough exemplary repentance, spiritually and morally, and provide growth in faith accompanied byexample for cell group members. Applying humility and the example of a servant of Christ canpositively impact the cell group members where they are, both in society, the church, and theenvironment. That is why humility and the example of a servant of Christ are absolute things forevery true believer, and this is a critical topic to discuss and apply. The research method used is adescriptive qualitative research method. From the research results, it was found that the applicationof humility and the example of servants of Christ is nothing new. Since the Old Testament, humilityand being an example of a servant of God have been emphasized. In the New Testament, the LordJesus Christ, the Son of God and who became the Son of Man, always gives teaching, testimony, andcalls and shows learning to His disciples with humility and a dignified example. In general, humilityand the example of Christ can have a positive and more substantial impact than words alone. Theauthority and power of a servant of Christ, with humility and example, are very relevant to themembers of the cell group they teach or lead.

The spirituality of shepherding (Satua Niha Keriso) plays a crucial role in shaping spiritual leadership within the congregation. This article examines the concept of shepherding from a New Testament perspective and its implications for church development. Using a qualitative approach based on biblical and theological studies, this research highlights Christ’s example as the Good Shepherd and its application in church ministry. The findings indicate that the spirituality of shepherding is not only related to teaching and faith nurturing but also reflects love, humility, and responsibility in building a spiritually healthy community. These findings emphasize that church leaders must embody the values of true shepherding in nurturing, guiding, and serving their congregation with integrity. Thus, the spirituality of shepherding contributes to strengthening faith and fostering church growth in the contemporary context.    

Christian education is essential and crucial in building a solid character among Christians. Because of the problems that arise and are not avoided, moral degradation continues to increase. Therefore, the church's efforts in transforming Christianity and Christian education offer a profound moral and spiritual life foundation for individuals to grow in faith and develop a personality that reflects the teachings of Christ. The purpose of this study is for Christian education to be the primary tool in shaping character through teaching gospel values, fostering spiritual disciplines, and developing a supportive faith community. With a focus on building strong character, Christian education also plays a role in preparing individuals to serve and become agents of change in the church and society. Using a descriptive qualitative method, it can be concluded that Christian education is a role model for stimulating transformation in social society. First, the importance of understanding Christianity related to the theoretical study of character and its challenges. This is required so that the role of Christian education has the primary purpose of shaping character. So that it can actualize the wishes of the church in Christian education as an effort to transform Christianity

The church has a vital role in building the spiritual life of every congregation member. This includes teenagers, for whom it is essential to receive attention and be educated in their faith to grow in the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and live in harmony with God's Word. Adolescence is a crucial period of growth in finding self-identity, so spiritual life must be a concern. They must be educated through the habit of reading the Bible and in an atmosphere of prayer so that they live in the corridors that the Bible teaches and are not easily swayed by the currents of the world, which can drag them away from God. So, this research aims to determine the extent of the influence of discipline in reading the Bible and praying on the spiritual growth of teenagers. The method used in this research is quantitative. After conducting research at GKSB Bukit Sion Mamuju involving 36 teenagers from GKSB Bukit Sion Mamuju to find out the influence of the discipline of reading the Bible and praying on the spiritual growth of GKSB Bukit Sion Mamuju teenagers, it was concluded that reading God's Word and praying had a significant influence on the spiritual development of GKSB Bukit Sion Mamuju.

Sola fide is the main Reformed teaching that salvation is only obtained through faith alone, not through charity or good deeds. in the 16th century the practice of indulgences and the Catholic church's emphasis on good works gave rise to doubts in the faith, which later gave rise to the Reform Movement. In response, the reformers restored the principle of sola fide to protect believers in the Lord Jesus from doubts about their Faith. The aim of this research is to analyze the role of sola fide in strengthening believers' faith before reform skepticism, through a literature review of the writings of reformer figures. The results show that emphasizing God's sovereign grace, the sufficiency of faith for forgiveness of sins and assurance of salvation, and sola fide can strengthen believers' faith against attacks of skepticism. This understanding provides important insight for believers today about how to strengthen their faith in the face of increasing skepticism. Overall, this research shows the central role of the principle of sola fide in the history of Christian thought.

The involvement of church members in political life is a form of religious responsibility that must be rooted in Christian values. This community service activity was designed to enhance the political literacy of the GBIS Kristus Gembala Alastuwo Karanganyar congregation in preparation for the Simultaneous Regional Elections on November 27, 2024. Conducted over two sessions on November 3 and 10, 2024, the activity employed interactive discussions, lectures, and Biblical reflections that connect Christian values with political participation. Key themes included justice, honesty, servant leadership, and the rejection of money politics. The participants were also invited to reflect on the implementation of the regional elections held on December 8, 2024, as part of their learning process.The results show that the congregation's political awareness improved significantly. Members expressed a deeper understanding of the importance of electing trustworthy leaders who uphold integrity and public service. Furthermore, they demonstrated the courage to reject practices of money politics, indicating the internalization of Christian values in their civic decisions. By exploring democracy through the lens of faith, the congregation developed a more critical, wise, and responsible approach to voting. This initiative highlights the strategic role of the Church in shaping the political awareness of its members through ongoing political education grounded in Christian teachings. Continued efforts are essential to ensure that the congregation remains active in promoting moral leadership and societal transformation, beginning within the church community itself. Ultimately, churches can serve as centers for ethical political formation, equipping believers to contribute meaningfully to national development.