Publication Search

This article aims to explain the correct practice of devotion to Mary in the light of Christ-centered faith, which is a faith centered on Jesus Christ as the one and only mediator and savior. The main issue discussed is the tendency of some Catholics to give excessive devotion to Mary, which risks diverting focus from Christ. This study employs a theological and doctrinal approach by tracing the Church's teachings on honoring Mary, particularly through the distinction between latria, dulia, and hyperdulia. The study's findings indicate that proper devotion to Mary is rooted in a relationship with the Holy Trinity and guides the faithful to increasingly know, love, and emulate Christ. Conversely, disproportionate forms of devotion may lead to misunderstandings or deviations in faith practices. The implications of this research emphasize the Church's role in providing adequate catechesis, so that devotion to Mary remains balanced, leading the faithful to Christ through Mary and in Mary, while deepening the understanding of Trinitarian theology in the daily lives of Christians.

This Community Service activity (PKM) was carried out at the Church of Faith, Hope, and Love (IHAKA) with the aim of empowering lay members who do not have a formal theological background but have a desire to serve as Cell Group (KOMSEL) leaders. The method used is a participatory approach based on training and contextual reflection, consisting of three stages: interactive workshops, service reflection, and mentoring. The training is designed to equip participants with basic understanding of spiritual leadership, the ability to communicate the Word, as well as patterns of household worship relevant to the congregation's context. The results of the activity showed an increase in participants' confidence in leading worship, the ability to actively discuss the Word, and the formation of closer service relationships through prayer and shared meals. Post-training mentorship also strengthens participants' commitment to serving with faithfulness and humility. This activity demonstrates that service is not merely a routine activity, but a calling in life that can be carried out by lay congregants through simple yet impactful guidance. This PKM is expected to serve as an initial model for other local churches in nurturing lay ministers in a contextual and sustainable manner.

The creative Sunday School teaching program at GKSI Imanuel Teretek was implemented as a community service initiative focused on increasing children’s enthusiasm for participating in spiritual activities. The program was motivated by initial findings showing that many children exhibited declining interest due to monotonous learning methods that lacked creative engagement. Therefore, the service team designed a series of activities based on creative approaches, including the use of visual media, educational games, art activities, and interactive storytelling to align learning with the developmental needs of children. The implementation process was carried out through several stages, including observation, material planning, activity execution, and evaluation. The results showed a significant increase in attendance, active participation, and positive responses from the children. They appeared more engaged, more willing to ask questions, and better able to remember biblical messages through enjoyable and easy-to-understand activities. Additionally, Sunday School teachers gained new insights regarding creative teaching strategies that can be applied sustainably. These findings affirm that innovation in teaching methods has a real impact on children’s learning motivation and strengthens the church’s role in nurturing faith from an early age.

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.  

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 aims to explore the symbolic meaning of the siraman ceremony in Javanese culture and interpret its values ​​in light of the Catholic faith, particularly regarding the sanctity and blessings of the sacrament of marriage. The siraman tradition is understood not merely as a cultural ritual, but as a process of physical and spiritual purification imbued with spiritual symbolism, such as the use of water from seven springs and the granting of parental blessings. This study uses a qualitative approach with a literature review method through analysis of Church documents, Javanese anthropological literature, and relevant research. The results indicate that the meaning of purification in siraman is closely related to the symbolism of baptismal water in the Catholic tradition, while the prayer of parental blessing aligns with the concept of blessing as a manifestation of God's grace in the family. Through the inculturation perspective emphasized in Gaudium et Spes and Ecclesia in Asia, siraman can be understood as a form of harmonious dialogue between faith and culture without compromising the purity of Church teachings. This study concludes that the siraman ceremony can enrich the experience of the sacrament of marriage for Javanese Catholics, while strengthening their identity as individuals of faith and culture.

This article discusses the leva mass in Lamalera as one of the examples of the inculturation of the Catholic faith in local culture on the island of Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara. Inculturation is understood as a process of encounter between faith and culture, so that the proclamation of the gospel can be deeply lived in the context of the life of the local people. Through the leva mass, cultural elements such as sea symbols, boats (tena), traditional dances, traditional clothing, and regional songs are harmoniously integrated into the liturgy of the Catholic Church. For the Lamalera community, the sea is not only a source of livelihood, but a symbol of God's presence and power that blesses and protects human life. The celebration of the Mass emphasizes that God is present not only in the church building, but also in every aspect of human life, including work. The Leva Mass can also strengthen the spirit of brotherhood, solidarity, and the responsibility of the people towards His created nature. The people learn to be grateful for marine products, respect the environment, and work with the spirit of love and sacrifice. Thus, the leva mass is not just a religious ritual, but also a faith and cultural education that helps the people in understanding their call to live in harmony with nature and the will of God. Through the Mass of Leva, the Church in Lamalera portrays the living face of faith, the source of the gospel but rooted in the local culture.

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.

In the following qualitative research, we identified the relationship of architectural styles based on Javanese Culture. The church displays a unique form of architectural acculturation from the church in general which adheres to the European Gothic style. Based on the results of the analysis, the aesthetics of the building combine the architectural style of Rome, namely wide-span buildings and flat domes with local Javanese architecture. The embodiment of Javanese culture is clearly seen in the interior in the form of reliefs and brick materials. The concept of space also puts Javanese architecture in the form of a courtyard without chairs like a Javanese Joglo house. The acculturation functions as an image of local culture so that it is maintained and makes the congregation feel comfortable and dissolve with the atmosphere of the place of worship. The presence of local cultural elements in the church building also shows respect for the values of traditional wisdom without losing the identity of Christianity itself. In addition, the combination of architecture shows that houses of worship can be designed as an inculturative space that is able to bridge the spiritual needs as well as the emotional needs of the congregation. Thus, the church building is not only a place of worship, but also a symbol of harmony between faith and culture in people's lives.

This community service activity aims to strengthen the leadership capacity of youth and congregations at the Faithful Christian Church of Indonesia (GKSI) Ampadi, West Kalimantan, through empowerment programs and training based on spiritual values. The church as a faith community has a strategic responsibility in creating leadership regeneration, but the reality on the ground shows that youth involvement in ministry is still limited. This service activity was carried out with a participatory and qualitative descriptive approach, through stages of observation, literature study, spiritual leadership training, cross-generational mentoring, and direct assistance to participants. The results of the activity showed that the low participation of youth in GKSI Ampadi was caused by a lack of structural development, the dominance of the senior generation, and the absence of a clear cadre system. Through a Bible-based leadership training program, the formation of an inclusive ministry team, and ongoing mentoring, there was a significant increase in youth involvement and synergy between congregations. In addition, this activity produced a leadership cadre roadmap as a strategic guide for the church in developing human resources for ministry. This service activity not only had an impact on improving the quality of service and congregational activity, but also strengthened the process of sustainable leadership regeneration within the local church environment. It is hoped that this empowerment model can be applied contextually by other churches to build dynamic, inclusive, and contemporary service communities.

The Church in indonesia now plays an increasingly broad role in society, but also faces various complex challenges. These challenges come not only from outside, such as discrimination and social pressure, but also from within; such as limited resources and a reluctance to change. Therefore, the Church needs to understand these various issues in order to formulate ministry strategies that are relevant, contextual, and able to addres the needs of a diverse society. The Church is called to be a forum for the brotherhood of God’s people from various cultural backgrounds, while also bearing witness that unity in diversity is a tangible manifestation of God’s love in the world. However, cultural diversity can also create tension if not managed wisely. The inculturation of local cultures, such as Torok in Manggarai culture, has profound meaning. Torok is not merely a series of literary words, but has a profound meaning that reflects the identity of the Manggarai people in their relationship with themselves, others, nature, and God Himself as creator. As a poetic prayer, Torok serves as an expression of the totality of human life and a means to cultivate the values of brotherhood. The Church does not intend to implement rigid uniformity in matters that do not concern the core of the faith or the welfare of the faithful. On the contrary, the Church respects and strives to preserve the cultural riches that are characteristic of various tribes and nations.

This study explores the transformation of traditional worship values within the Klon tribe community in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara. Prior to their conversion to Christianity, the community practiced a religious system centered on mesbah (stone altars) where they worshiped ancestral spirits and local deities. The introduction of Christianity through inculturation led to a significant shift in worship practices, transitioning from rituals at the mesbah to those at the church pulpit. However, rather than losing their spiritual and communal values, these traditions adapted and were integrated into Christian practices. The study highlights how elements of local wisdom were preserved and transformed, creating a bridge between indigenous beliefs and Christian teachings. This transformation demonstrates that the core values of worship such as reverence for ancestors and community solidarity continued to play a role in the newly adopted Christian practices. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of understanding such cultural transformations, especially in the context of Christian Religious Education. It suggests that contextualizing religious teachings within local traditions and wisdom can foster a deeper, more meaningful connection to faith for communities undergoing cultural change. By valuing these local traditions, Christian Religious Education can become more relevant and impactful, encouraging a harmonious blending of old and new beliefs.

This study aims to analyze the collaborative model between parents and childcare workers in the faith development of pre-adolescent children at GKII Imanuel Amborawang Darat. A descriptive qualitative approach was used, utilizing Bandura's social learning theory, Bronfenbrenner's human development ecology, and the concept of faith education according to Pazmino and Turansky & Miller as theoretical foundations. The results of the study indicate that effective collaboration between parents and childcare workers creates synergy in fostering children's faith through spiritual communication, living examples, and ongoing spiritual guidance. An integrated faith environment between home and church plays a crucial role in helping pre-adolescent children internalize Christian values. In facing the challenges of digital culture, this collaboration is key to strengthening the foundation of children's faith. This study emphasizes the importance of a strategic and sustainable partnership between families and churches in the process of forming children's faith, so that they can better face the various challenges of this digital era.

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.

The doctrine of the Church, or ecclesiology, is an essential part of Christian theology that focuses on the understanding, function, and role of the Church as the body of Christ. The Church is not only understood as a physical institution but also as a community of faith that serves to glorify God, minister to others, and proclaim the Gospel. This study explains the importance of church doctrine as the foundation for forming congregational identity, spiritual growth, and as a guide in worship and ministry practices. Furthermore, this paper describes the positive impact of church doctrine on the spiritual development and social life of the congregation, as well as the challenges faced in the context of social, cultural, and technological change. The Church is expected to respond to these challenges through doctrinal education, community strengthening, and a contextual approach so that its teachings remain relevant and can be practically applied in the lives of believers.

This study discusses the spiritual development of adolescents and Christian youth in facing the challenges of the digital age. The focus of this research is on the role of parents, churches, and Christian educators in shaping the spirituality of Christian youth and youth. The results of the study show that parents, churches, and Christian educators have a very important role in guiding Christian youth and youth in their faith journey. Digital literacy teaching strategies based on Christian values and engaging adolescents and youth directly in the ministry process are some of the ways that can be done to strengthen their faith and character. In addition, this study emphasizes the importance of sustainable and contextual spiritual coaching in order to be able to answer spiritual needs in the midst of the rapid flow of information and the influence of modern culture. The Church is also expected to be able to provide a safe space for dialogue for youth and youth to express their struggles of faith. Thus, comprehensive and collaborative coaching can help create a resilient young generation of Christians, rooted in God's word, and able to face the various moral and spiritual challenges of today.

The phenomena of stigmata and divine apparitions represent profound religious experiences that demonstrate the dynamic relationship between faith, body, and consciousness. Through a phenomenological-theological approach and literature review, this study examines how these extraordinary events reflect the spiritual and psychological dimensions of faith. The results demonstrate that stigmata and apparitions are not simply supernatural phenomena, but existential encounters that express human participation in the suffering and presence of Christ. Phenomenological reflection affirms that faith is lived through bodily awareness, not merely understood conceptually. This study emphasizes the importance of discernment and theological interpretation of the church so that extreme religious experiences deepen authentic spirituality, rather than giving rise to superstition. Understanding stigmata and apparitions as transcendental experiences that transcend worldly limitations requires an openness to assess these phenomena in light of the doctrines of Christian faith. Furthermore, this study explores how these experiences contribute to the development of personal and church community spirituality and open up space for deeper reflection on the human relationship with God. Ultimately, this study bridges phenomenology and theology, demonstrating that divine experiences enrich the Christian understanding of the incarnation, suffering, and grace of God present in human existence.

Particularly in the context of Christian Religious Education, the question of children's spiritual growth and development is a critical component in the process of character formation, resulting in a holistic personality. Children benefit greatly from the use of Christian Religious Education psychology since it helps them comprehend the importance of faith, morality, and spirituality in a way that is suitable for their stage of psychological development. Data for this study were gathered by analyzing a variety of pertinent literature sources that were linked to the research issue. The author used a qualitative method in conjunction with a library research methodology. The purpose of this study is to examine how Christian Religious Education psychology concepts might be applied to improve children's spiritual development in the smallest social settings the family, school, and church.The study's end findings show that using Christian Religious Education psychology helps kids become more aware of the principles of their faith, behave in ways that emphasize love, behave responsibly, and have a positive relationship with God. It is anticipated that this study will improve the analytical abilities of church ministers, particularly those who specialize in children's ministry, parents of children, and educators who use it as a teaching tool. It is acceptable and effective for the demands of children's spiritual growth and development when a mature and proper technique is used.

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.