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This study explores the Village Cross as a symbol of inculturation, integrating Catholic faith with the Nosu Minu Podi ritual in Dusun Perintis, Balai Sebut Village, Sanggau Regency. Nosu Minu Podi, a post-harvest rice ritual, originally centered on the ancestral statue (Pantak) as the main focus of worship. The introduction of Catholicism led to a symbolic transformation, replacing the Pantak with the Village Cross while maintaining ancestral values and harmonizing them with Catholic practices. This research uses a qualitative approach combining ethnography and contextual theology. Data were collected through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and field documentation. Findings reveal that the Village Cross serves dual functions: as a religious symbol affirming God’s presence and spiritual protection, and as a marker of social and cultural identity. This transformation strengthens community solidarity, preserves traditional practices, and provides a medium for faith formation among youth. The study highlights that inculturation enables the integration of local traditions with religious teachings, creating space for contextual, inclusive, and practical pastoral approaches. It contributes to scholarly understanding of the interplay between religion, culture, and community identity, emphasizing the enduring relevance of local wisdom in contemporary religious practice.

Cross-cultural ministry is a tangible manifestation of the Great Commission of Christ, which calls the church to reach all nations without geographical or cultural boundaries. This article describes the experience of spiritual ministry among the diaspora Christian community in the Middle East conducted by a team from the Kerusso Theological Seminary of Indonesia. The activity not only aimed to strengthen the faith of the congregation living under cultural and social pressures but also served as a means of nurturing contextual Christian spirituality and character. Through revival services, Bible teaching, and pastoral accompaniment, the congregation experienced a genuine transformation of faith—from weakness to steadfastness and hope. This study affirms that cross-cultural ministry is not merely a mission activity but a concrete expression of transformative and participatory Christian education. It demonstrates that when ministry is carried out with contextual understanding and empathy, profound spiritual change can occur even amid intercultural challenges.

This article aims to understand how cultural expressions of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) are inculturated in the liturgy of the Catholic Church as a manifestation of a dynamic encounter between Christian faith and local culture. The research method used is qualitative with a desk observation approach, which involves an in-depth study of Church documents, biblical texts, and practices of contextual liturgical analysis in various regions of NTT. The main results of the study indicate that the process of cultural inculturation in the liturgy in NTT not only enriches the forms of expression of the faith of the people, but also deepens the meaning and experience of the liturgy as a space for authentic theological dialogue between the Gospel message and local cultural heritage. Furthermore, this inculturation emphasizes the relevance of faith in the socio-cultural context, where local elements such as music, dance, clothing, and symbolism are brought to life to reveal the mystery of Christ more contextually. The theological and pastoral implications of these findings are that the Catholic Church in Indonesia, particularly in NTT, is a living, contextual, and relevant witness to the faith, demonstrating that the Gospel can be firmly embedded in the local land and culture, while strengthening the religious identity of the people amidst cultural plurality.

Popular culture and digitalization have become the main context of the lives of Catholic children and adolescents, thus having a significant impact on the formation of their identity, values, and practices of faith. Phenomena such as social media, music, movies, and digital games are not only entertainment spaces, but also pedagogical spaces that shape the way of thinking and spirituality of the younger generation. This study aims to analyze the relevance of Thomas H. Groome's Shared Christian Praxis (SCP) model as a contextual catechesis approach for children and adolescents living in popular culture. Using a qualitative method based on literature studies, this study interprets popular cultural dynamics, the principles of the Church's faith education, and the SCP approach through hermeneutical and thematic analysis. The results show that traditional catechesis approaches are no longer adequate to answer the needs of the digital generation which demands a dialogical, participatory, and experiential learning process. The SCP approach has been proven to be able to integrate students' experiences, critical reflection, the Church's story of faith, hermeneutical dialogue, and concrete actions as a single faith-building process. Thus, this research makes a practical contribution to the Church and Catholic educational institutions in designing catechesis strategies that are more relevant, contextual, and able to respond to the challenges of popular culture faced by the younger generation.

This study aims to analyze the dynamics of interfaith relations in Indonesia by integrating Social Identity Theory (SIT), Social Identity Complexity (SIC), and Pope Francis’ vision of synodality. The focus is directed toward understanding how social identity categories, overlapping identity structures, and the synodal vision of communion, participation, and mission enrich the paradigm of religious moderation in a plural society. This research employs a qualitative library research design using descriptive-analytical and content analysis techniques on identity theories, empirical findings on interfaith tolerance, and relevant Catholic Church documents. The analysis includes an exploration of the core concepts of SIT and SIC, a review of interfaith tolerance practices in Indonesian communities, and an examination of the pastoral significance of synodality as a dialogical approach. The findings indicate that religious moderation can flourish when religious communities have natural spaces of encounter, develop flexible identity intersections, and engage actively in mutual listening as emphasized in the Synod 2021–2024. In this context, synodality provides a theological and pastoral framework for cultivating inclusive, creative, and transformative interfaith relations, allowing each religious tradition to express its uniqueness while fostering fraternal harmony.

This community service program aims to describe the implementation and impact of “Persekutuan Hamba Tuhan,” a diaconal initiative conducted by GBI Jemaat Kasih Surabaya to support 80 pastors serving in small congregations around the M3 area of Surabaya. The background of the program stems from ongoing socioeconomic challenges affecting church ministers in the post-pandemic period, particularly those serving in churches with limited resources and unstable financial support. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through observation of the program activities, documentation of the distribution process, and testimonies from both recipients and church members. The results show three major outcomes. First, the distribution of food packages and basic daily necessities significantly reduced the economic burden of the participating pastors, providing a sense of relief and stability for their households. Second, the program strengthened congregational solidarity, as more than fifty church members actively engaged in fundraising, packaging, and direct service, building a stronger culture of compassion and shared responsibility. Third, the fellowship activities—consisting of worship, preaching, prayer, and personal encouragement—provided emotional and spiritual strengthening that renewed the pastors’ motivation and confidence in their ministry. Overall, this program demonstrates that integrated diaconal service combining material aid, spiritual encouragement, and relational support can offer meaningful impact for vulnerable church ministers. The findings also highlight the potential of this model to be replicated in other church settings as a holistic, community-based ministry approach. It is recommended that future programs expand coverage, incorporate long-term follow-up, and explore empowerment components to enhance sustainable impact.

This study examines how Christian marriage is represented in the modern era through theological, symbolic, and contextual perspectives. Although Christian marriage is traditionally understood as a sacred covenant emphasizing unity, fidelity, and permanence, contemporary social realities reveal shifts in how Christians interpret and express marital life. Economic pressures, evolving family roles, digital communication patterns, and cultural influences shape the modern experience of marriage. Using a descriptive qualitative approach through literature-based research, this study analyzes the theological foundations, ritual symbols, and contextual factors that influence changes in the representation of Christian marriage today. The findings indicate that while the core theological essence of Christian marriage remains, its practical expressions undergo adaptation to remain relevant within modern life. Symbols such as wedding rings, marital vows, and liturgical blessings continue to convey theological meaning, while premarital education and pastoral support play a crucial role in strengthening marital stability. The study highlights the need for a contextual and integrative ecclesial approach that responds to the realities faced by Christian couples in contemporary society.    

The Protestant Reformation, pioneered by Martin Luther in the 16th century, was an important moment in Christian history. This movement emerged as a critique of Catholic Church practices, particularly the sale of indulgences and the abuse of power by clergy, which were considered to deviate from the teachings of the Bible. In response, the Catholic Church convened the Council of Trent. This council not only reaffirmed the teachings of the faith but also tightened spiritual discipline and reformed the internal structure to maintain the unity of the Church. In addition, the Council of Trent also encouraged pastoral renewal supported by religious orders, especially the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), which played a major role in education, missions, and social services. This study analyzes the roots of the Reformation, examines the Council of Trent as the official response of the Catholic Church, and explores the forms of pastoral renewal that emerged afterwards. The results show that although the Protestant Reformation was a major challenge, the Catholic Church's response through the Council of Trent and the pastoral renewal movement succeeded in strengthening Catholic identity and left an important legacy that has influenced the development of the Church to this day.

This study examines the increasing prevalence of premarital sexual behavior among Indonesian adolescents, including Catholic youths, which poses a significant challenge to the moral formation and faith development promoted by the Catholic Church. Using a qualitative method with a literature study approach, this research analyzes the phenomenon of adolescent free sex from the perspective of Catholic moral theology and family pastoral care. The findings reveal that the rise of free sexual behavior among adolescents is strongly influenced by curiosity, fragmented family structures, weak value-based sexual education, and the unregulated use of digital media. Moral theology views sexuality as a divine gift whose authentic meaning is realized only within the sacramental bond of marriage; therefore, premarital sex is considered a deviation from human dignity and the true nature of love. The study also highlights the essential role of the family as the Domestic Church in shaping conscience, character, and responsible sexual attitudes among youths. Pastoral strategies proposed include integral sexual education, strengthening parent–child communication in the digital age, and contextual pastoral accompaniment rooted in compassion, as emphasized in Amoris Laetitia. This research underscores the need for collaborative efforts between families, the Church, and educational institutions to guide young people toward a holistic understanding of sexuality, authentic love, and their Christian vocation in contemporary society.  

This study examines the biblical approach to the truth and inspiration of the Word of God in critical dialogue with Progressive Christian Theology (PCT). Using a qualitative-descriptive method and comparative biblical-theological analysis, the research explores the fundamental differences, points of convergence, and potential integration between the two approaches. PCT emphasizes the importance of socio-cultural context, moral development, and human experience in understanding faith. In contrast, biblical theology affirms the authority and unchanging nature of the Word of God as the foundation of absolute truth that undergirds church doctrine and practice. The findings indicate an urgent need to formulate a balanced synthesis between fidelity to the biblical text and sensitivity to contemporary cultural changes. This integrative approach is not intended to weaken the authority of Scripture but to enrich theological understanding so that it becomes more relevant to modern contexts without neglecting divine truth. This synthesis ultimately produces a model of church growth that is contextual, Scripture-centered, and capable of balancing love and truth in addressing contemporary theological, social, and ethical challenges. The model bears significant implications for shaping congregational spirituality, developing pastoral ministry, and guiding the church’s mission amid increasingly complex cultural shifts.

This study aims to examine the contribution of educational psychology in the context of Christian education, particularly for educators, school principals, Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers, Sunday school teachers, pastors, elders, and church servants. This theoretical study shows that educational psychology helps in understanding the characteristics of learners, optimizing teaching methods, building effective teacher-student relationships, and enhancing motivation and involvement in the learning and preaching process. The research method used is a descriptive qualitative approach, collecting data through a review of books, literature, journals, notes, and relevant reports. Educational psychology plays a significant role for all those involved in Christian education and ministry. CRE teachers and Sunday school teachers have a crucial role in instilling faith values in the younger generation by understanding the learning needs of children according to their cognitive and spiritual development stages. This enables them to deliver God's word in an engaging and meaningful way. Meanwhile, pastors, elders, and church servants require an understanding of educational psychology to carry out more wise pastoral ministry. Psychological understanding helps them provide spiritual guidance, counseling, and support for members who are struggling. Educational psychology also equips church servants to lead with empathy, listen with their hearts, and guide the congregation towards true spiritual restoration. The integration of educational psychology with Christian faith significantly impacts the improvement of learning and church ministry, producing individuals who are intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually balanced.

This study aims to investigate the interrelation of Digital Media with Modern Spirituality and Psychological Well-being in the 21st Century, where technology has created a new spiritual environment (Digital Religion and Digital Church) that necessitates theological and pastoral transformation. The research focuses on examining the extent to which digital interaction and literacy mediate or moderate the relationship between modern spirituality and an individual's level of psychological well-being. The research method is a qualitative descriptive literature review with an interdisciplinary approach, concentrating on the analysis and synthesis of literature from the latest scientific journals (2019–2025) in the fields of theology, psychology, and digital media studies to build a conceptual understanding. The findings indicate that Digital Media has established the phenomena of Digital Spirituality and Digital Church, which transforms the meaning of Christian faith and social relationships. It provides a positive impact on Psychological Well-being through access and support, yet it also risks causing fragmentation and superficiality of spirituality, thereby demanding the need for prudent digital literacy and theological transformation.

This study discusses the role of Christian ethics in shaping attitudes towards abortion in Indonesia, which has led to moral, social, and legal debates. The main issues examined are how the biblical view and Christian ethical teachings assess the act of abortion and how the attitude of the church and believers in responding to this phenomenon. The aim of this study is to understand theologically and ethically the position of the Christian faith on abortion, while offering a compassionate pastoral approach to women facing such moral dilemmas. The research method used is descriptive qualitative method, by examining various theological, social, and legal sources to describe in depth the views of Christian ethics on abortion. The results showed that in the view of Christian ethics, human life is a holy gift of God from the womb, so abortion is considered contrary to his will. However, the church and believers are called not only to reject abortion in a normative way, but also to provide mentoring, moral education, and spiritual support for those affected. This study confirms the importance of balance between truth and love in dealing with the issue of abortion as a concrete manifestation of the application of Christian ethics in society.

This study explores the implications of the 1983 Code of Canon Law (CIC) on mixed marriages within the Catholic Church, focusing on its legal, pastoral, and social dimensions in the context of religious pluralism. Mixed marriages, involving a Catholic an a non-Catholic partner, pose unique spiritual and legal challenges due to differing faith backgrounds, the research aims to analyze how the CIC, alongsid Church documents such as Muto Proprio Matrimonia Mixta, Familiaris Consortio, and Amoris Laetitia, addresses these challenges while upholding the sacramental nature of marriage. A qualitative descretive method was employed, utilizing critical textual analysis of relevant literature, including books, journals, and Church documents, the findings highlight that Canons 1124-1126 og the CIC provide a robust legal framework requiring episcopal dispensation, commitment to Catholic faith preservation, and respect for the non-Catholic partner’s beliefs. these Canons balance the protection of Catholic identity with openness to interfainth dialogue. Additionally, Church documents emphasize pastoral accompaniment, compassion, and doalogue to foster family unity and fainth education for children. The study concludes that the CIC, enriched by pastoral approaches in the referenced documents, offers a framework that not only regulates mixed marriages but also transforms them into opportunities for spiritual growth and interreligious harmony, particularly in diverse societies like Indonesia. This integrated approach ensures the mixed mariages can be a source of blessing rather than conflict, promoting stability ant mutual respect in families.  

This study examines in depth the meaning of gratitude expressed in the traditional Wu’u Nura ceremony in Daniwato Village, West Solor, as well as in the Eucharistic celebration, which stands as the central liturgy of the Catholic Church. The Wu’u Nura ceremony is a communal tradition of thanksgiving for the harvest, expressed through symbolic rituals, offerings of agricultural produce, collective prayers, and ceremonial practices that reflect a harmonious relationship between humans, nature, ancestors, and God. Through these rituals, the community strengthens social cohesion, cultural identity, and religious awareness that have been passed down across generations. In contrast, gratitude within the Eucharistic celebration is understood as an expression of faith and a theological response to God’s salvific grace manifested through Christ’s sacrifice, made present in the consecration of bread and wine. Using a qualitative method and comparative approach, this study reveals that although differing in expression, structure, and theological foundations, both practices uphold gratitude as a universal value that fosters spiritual relationships and social solidarity. The findings affirm that dialogue between local culture and Church liturgy—within the spirit of inculturation—can enrich the understanding of faith, deepen spiritual life, and support the preservation of meaningful local traditions. This study contributes significantly to cultural and theological scholarship, as well as pastoral efforts aimed at fostering harmony between religion and culture in pluralistic societies.

The phenomenon of introduction through social media has become very common in this digital era. Social media offers ease and efficiency in introducing individuals to others, allowing them to meet, interact, and build relationships in a different way than traditional methods. However, the introduction of a partner through social media also brings its own challenges, emotional manipulation, and limitations in understanding the partner in depth. In the context of Catholic marriage, this phenomenon poses a serious challenge to canonical law. Canon law strictly regulates marriage in order to remain faithful to the Church's teaching of lifelong union and openness to procreation. However, the introduction of a couple through social media can affect the validity of the agreement, psychological readiness, and understanding of the nature of marriage. The Church needs to meet these challenges with a new pastoral approach, including the development of specific guidelines for the companionship of couples who start relationships through social media. This approach includes strengthening more intensive and comprehensive pastoral mentoring, utilizing social media as a tool for education and counseling and reminding couples of the importance of transparency and honesty in relationships. Thus, the Church faces the challenge of ensuring the psychological readiness of both parties and helping couples to understand more deeply about the marital commitments they make and to maintain the values of the sacrament of marriage in an ever-evolving digital world.

This study examines the Lom Plai tradition of the Dayak Wehea community from the perspective of Catholic inculturation theology. Although this tradition has been widely studied from an anthropological perspective, no research has specifically examined the meaning of its values, symbols, and rituals in the light of inculturation. Therefore, this study is important to see the possibility of dialogue between the Gospel and local culture. The purpose of this study is to understand how elements of Lom Plai culture can be interpreted and processed within the framework of inculturation theology and how the values ​​contained therein can enrich the pastoral life of the community. The study uses a literature review method with a qualitative-contextual theological approach through analysis of theological literature, Church documents, and ethnographic studies of the Dayak Wehea. The research findings indicate that the values ​​of harvest gratitude, respect for the land, community solidarity, and symbols such as rice and thanksgiving rituals are aligned with Christian spirituality and have the potential to be integrated into pastoral practice. The implications of this study emphasize the need for ongoing discernment so that the inculturation process runs authentically, enriches the community's faith, and maintains the cultural identity of the Wehea community.  

The contemporary digital era has triggered the normalization of pornography and promiscuous sexual behavior, which significantly threatens the theological understanding and sacramental practice of Catholic marriage among young adults. This article aims to examine, from a theological-juridical perspective, how canons 1055–1101 of the Code of Canon Law (CIC) serve as the authoritative foundation for the Church in safeguarding the dignity and validity of the sacrament of marriage. The method employed is a comprehensive literature study of the CIC, relevant magisterial documents of the Church, and contemporary scholarly works on the dynamics of young adult relationships. The concise findings indicate that exposure to and normalization of pornography directly weaken three fundamental aspects of Catholic marriage, namely the capacity to give free consent, the intention to practice permanent fidelity, and the correct understanding of the body’s meaning as a total self-gift. Nevertheless, the Church possesses solid canonical and pastoral instruments to address these challenges and facilitate restoration. In conclusion, a synergistic integration of canonical approaches, moral teachings, and pastoral guidance is required to assist young adult couples so that they may realize marriages that are not only canonically valid but also psychologically mature and sacramentally holy.

Indonesia's cultural diversity demands a process of inculturation, in which local values ​​enter into dialogue with faith. This study examines the Lodong Me tradition in Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara, as a ritual of thanksgiving for birth that is essential and relevant amidst the challenges of modernity. The aim is to describe the meaning of Lodong Me and analyze its encounter with Christian faith through an inculturation approach. Using a qualitative approach with a case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants and tested using source triangulation. The results show that Lodong Me is interpreted culturally and theologically as gratitude for divine grace, where gratitude to ancestors and God (Ama Pu) is placed in a harmonious arrangement. This ritual has been proven to meet the criteria for genuine adaptation because it has compatible values ​​(such as work ethic and responsibility to care for creation) and effectively strengthens the congregation's faith experience. By implication, this case study enriches the literature on inculturation in Indonesia and makes an important contribution to the Church's pastoral care in Sikka to prevent duality of belief.

This study aims to analyze the role of catechesis in preparing couples for marriage in the Catholic Church comprehensively, encompassing theological, spiritual, mental, and emotional dimensions. The background of this study is based on the phenomenon that some couples still enter into marriage without adequate faith preparation, thus implicating a low understanding of the meaning of the sacrament of marriage as a holy and inseparable life partnership. The research method used is a quantitative approach with a Likert-scale questionnaire as the data collection technique. The research instrument was compiled based on three main indicators, namely understanding the teachings of the sacrament, family function, and church life. Data were analyzed descriptively to measure respondents' perceptions of the effectiveness of catechesis in preparing for Catholic marriage. The results showed that the role of catechesis obtained a high average score of 37.34, with 83.87% of respondents in the strongly agree category. This indicates that catechesis plays a significant role in shaping the spiritual and psychological readiness of prospective couples. The implications of this research confirm that catechesis does not only function as a process of teaching faith, but also as an integral pastoral tool in building Catholic families based on love, loyalty, and Christian responsibility, and contributes to strengthening the faith of the church community. .