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Pastoral ministry plays a crucial role in shaping the spiritual growth of the congregation so that they live according to the principles of the Kingdom of God. In practice, many congregations do not fully understand the meaning of Matthew 6:33, so its values are merely spiritual slogans without concrete application in daily life. This study aims to design a more effective pastoral strategy within the GEREJA KRISTEN SETIA INDONESIA (GKSI) Getsemani Palah Parajo, focusing on five main aspects: (1) a theological understanding of Matthew 6:33 as the basis for pastoral care; (2) the role of the pastor and congregation in building healthy relationships; (3) identifying the congregation's spiritual needs and challenges; (4) developing contextual pastoral strategies and methods; and (5) evaluating the congregation's spiritual growth. Through this approach, it is hoped that pastoral care will become a means of forming Christ-like character, which is not only theologically relevant but also has a real impact on the congregation's daily lives.

In an effort to understand the nature of existence and the purpose of education, humans continually ponder fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, and life's values. Philosophy appears as a light that illuminates the darkness of these questions, offering a profound and systematic framework for thought. However, from an Islamic perspective, this search for truth does not rely solely on reason but is harmoniously integrated with Divine revelation. Islamic ontology places God as the source of all reality, its epistemology unites reason and revelation in the pursuit of knowledge, while axiology guides all educational actions and goals toward the formation of pious and noble individuals. This symbiotic integration gives rise to a transformative educational paradigm that not only fosters intellectual intelligence but also humanizes and purifies the soul, thus producing a holistic generation that contributes to the well-being of humanity. This paradigm aligns Islamic education with global realities, prioritizing a balance between worldly and otherworldly knowledge, and emphasizing moral and spiritual development as integral parts of a more holistic and sustainable education.

The development of science, technology, and the arts (IPTEKS) presents both challenges and opportunities, particularly for young Christians in the Faculty of Languages and Arts. This study explores the role of Christian faith in shaping how young Christians engage with IPTEKS, focusing on the integration of faith-based values in artistic creation, scientific application, and technological use. Using qualitative descriptive methods, the research involved interviews, observations, and documentation from Christian students in various art and education programs. The findings suggest that Christian faith provides a moral, ethical, and spiritual foundation for the responsible use of IPTEKS. In the arts, faith motivates students to create works that serve as ministry and testimony. In science, it encourages knowledge application for service and glorifying God. In technology, faith serves as a moral filter for the positive use of digital media. Key scriptures, including Proverbs 1:7, Colossians 3:23-24, and Romans 12:2, reinforce that IPTEKS should be utilized to honor God and serve others. This study highlights the need for faith development in academic settings, ensuring that young Christians engage with IPTEKS wisely, ethically, and in alignment with Christian values.

This article discusses the meaning of religious values ​​in the Pati Ka Du'a Bapu Ata Mata tradition of the Ende Lio community and how this tradition is understood from a Catholic perspective. This tradition is a form of respect for ancestors who are believed to continue to play a role in the lives of their descendants. The study aims to explain the religious meaning, ethical values, and the integration of local traditions with the Catholic faith through an inculturation process. Using qualitative methods through interviews, observations, and literature studies, this study found that the Pati Ka Du'a Bapu Ata Mata tradition contains values ​​of gratitude, solidarity, togetherness, and an awareness of human connection with nature, ancestors, and God. From a Catholic perspective, these values ​​align with teachings on respect for others and the communion of saints, although some elements of the tradition require theological refinement to conform to Catholic principles. These findings suggest that local traditions can serve as a means of deepening faith, strengthening cultural identity, and encouraging harmonious religious practices within the Ende Lio community.

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 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.

This paper focuses on a critical reflection on the text of Psalm 1:1-6, specifically introducing two opposing paths between "the way of the righteous" and "the way of the wicked." A critical approach to this text is carried out by considering interpretive and contextual aspects, and finding the meanings contained therein by connecting the experiences of modern-millennial humans. This writing uses qualitative methods and a library research approach, to the Bible, and the book of Psalms 1-72, as well as the book Traces of God's Salvation Work: An Introduction and the Ins and Outs of the Old Testament Scriptures. This writing involves critical reflection on the structure of the text, key words, and moral messages hidden in Psalm 1:1-6. In addition, this paper also explores the social and spiritual implications of understanding "the way of the righteous" and "the way of the wicked" in the context of modern-millennial society. The main finding in this writing is to provide deeper insight into how the concepts expressed in the Book of Psalms 1:1-6 can be applied in the lives of modern-millennial humans, as well as how the moral messages from the text can be relevant in guiding individuals in choosing the right path in life.

Divorce has become an increasingly prevalent moral and social phenomenon within modern society, including among Christian communities, with profound implications for family structures, spiritual life, and the church’s testimony in the world. This study analyzes divorce from the perspective of Christian ethics, grounded in a theological and moral reflection on Matthew 19:1–12 as the biblical foundation for understanding marriage and faithfulness. The findings reveal that divorce is not merely a legal or social concern but represents a spiritual crisis and a failure to uphold the sacred covenant established by God. Contributing factors such as infidelity, domestic violence, economic pressure, and weak faith formation erode the moral values of love and fidelity. Christian ethics emphasizes love, forgiveness, and moral responsibility as fundamental principles for healing and reconciliation within broken relationships. The church is called to exercise pastoral responsibility through guidance, counseling, and restoration, fostering ethical awareness and marital integrity among believers. Thus, applying Christian ethics to the issue of divorce is essential for nurturing spiritual maturity, strengthening family unity, and preserving the moral witness of the Christian community.  

This study examines the theological foundations of pastoral counseling in Christian Religious Education (CRE) within the digital era, emphasizing the integration of Trinitarian theology, adolescent developmental psychology, and the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20. Digitalization has reshaped adolescent struggles, introducing challenges such as cyberbullying, social media addiction, and virtual identity crises that demand contextual and transformative pastoral responses. Using a qualitative library research approach, this study synthesizes systematic theology, developmental psychology, and transformative pedagogy to construct a conceptual framework for CRE teachers in guiding the digital generation. Findings reveal that Trinitarian theology provides a holistic foundation: God the Father affirms authentic identity beyond digital validation, Christ the Redeemer restores identity from digital trauma, and the Holy Spirit guides character formation for wise engagement in the digital world. Integrating theology with developmental psychology enables a deeper understanding of the digital generation’s struggles and highlights the need for both theological depth and psychological insight. The proposed framework includes five components: Trinitarian foundation, contextual diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, supportive community formation, and the use of digital media as a ministry tool. This integrative and transformative model aims to foster holistic transformation—cognitive, affective, behavioral, and spiritual—preparing adolescents to become mature disciples who bear witness to Christ in digital spaces.

This study focuses on examining the concept of religious pluralism as contained in Quraish Shihab's monumental work Tafsir Al-Misbah, with particular emphasis on the significance of his thinking in the contemporary Indonesian landscape. As is widely known, Indonesia is a nation with extraordinary diversity in terms of religion and culture, and it constantly faces the challenge of maintaining social cohesion amid the potential for friction between religious communities. Tafsir Al-Misbah presents a perspective that promotes inclusiveness towards religious pluralism, based on the fundamental universal principles contained in the Qur'an, such as justice, empathy, and respect for diversity. This study implements a qualitative methodology through content analysis techniques on relevant arguments in Tafsir Al-Misbah, particularly those related to interfaith interaction. The results of this study show that: First, Quraish Shihab emphasises the importance of understanding pluralism as sunnatullah (God's decree) and the basis for creating a mutually respectful society. Second, Quraish Shihab's contextual interpretation refers to Indonesia's experience as a multireligious nation.

This study aims to analyze the harmony between the values of the Qur’an and the Indonesian government’s policy on the establishment of houses of worship, with reference to Tafsir Al-Azhar by Buya Hamka. The research method used is qualitative descriptive, employing a library research approach. Data were collected from Qur’anic verses discussing houses of worship and from government regulations, particularly the Joint Regulation of the Minister of Religious Affairs and the Minister of Home Affairs Nos. 9 and 8 of 2006. The findings show that, according to Hamka, houses of worship serve both spiritual and social functions as places that strengthen human relationships with God and with others. The interpretation of Q.S. Ali ‘Imran [3]:96 emphasizes the value of piety in the establishment of places of worship, while Q.S. Al-Hajj [22]:40 highlights the importance of protecting all houses of worship as symbols of interreligious tolerance. These Qur’anic values are consistent with government policies that uphold the principles of justice, tolerance, and religious harmony. Thus, there exists a harmonization between divine revelation and state regulation in maintaining social harmony and religious freedom in Indonesia.

The disruptive era, characterized by rapid technological advancement, shifting social paradigms, and the globalization of ideas, presents a profound challenge to Christian Education, particularly in the realm of sexual ethics. The pervasive visibility of the LGBT phenomenon often creates a reactive response within Christian communities, leading to a perceived dichotomy between upholding biblical authority and extending Christ-like compassion. This article argues that this disruption should not be viewed merely as a threat but recognized as a Kairos moment a critical and opportune time for theological and pedagogical renewal. Employing a methodology of theological reflection and conceptual analysis, this study explores how Christian educators can move beyond polarized debates to reconceive their role. It proposes a framework for fostering a sexual ethic that is simultaneously biblically grounded and pastorally compassionate. This involves a deliberate rethinking of pedagogical approaches that engage students in critical dialogue with both Scripture and contemporary culture. The article contends that an authentic biblical ethic is not merely about prohibition but about forming disciples who understand God's design for human flourishing, relationships, and sexuality. By seizing this Kairos moment, Christian Education can empower students to navigate a complex world with convictional clarity and empathetic grace, thereby transforming a challenge into a catalyst for a more holistic, effective, and faithful ministry.

This study aims to find the values ​​contained in the novel shown through the characterization of the characters. These characterizations are related to the values ​​that occur in the lives of the characters in the novel Simfoni Persahabatan by Fakhri Violinist. This study uses a qualitative method with a structural approach that focuses on characterization and its relationship to educational values. Data were collected through document study techniques by carefully reading the novel and noting parts related to characterization, then analyzed using content analysis techniques to draw conclusions about the values ​​and messages contained in the novel. The results of the study show that the author successfully presents the characterization of two main characters, namely Nancy who has an arrogant nature and often insults others, and Bintang who is humble and always prays to God. Through the characterization of these two characters, the author conveys various educational values ​​including the value of simplicity, the spirit of pursuing ideals, moral education such as diligent study and humility, character education regarding respect for parents and teachers, the value of hard work, responsibility, patience in facing trials, the importance of admitting mistakes and forgiveness, and friendship. This research contributes to the world of education in utilizing children's literature as a medium for character formation, and provides references in selecting reading materials that suit the needs of children's character development.

This study aims to find the values ​​contained in the novel shown through the characterization of the characters. These characterizations are related to the values ​​that occur in the lives of the characters in the novel Simfoni Persahabatan by Fakhri Violinist. This study uses a qualitative method with a structural approach that focuses on characterization and its relationship to educational values. Data were collected through document study techniques by carefully reading the novel and noting parts related to characterization, then analyzed using content analysis techniques to draw conclusions about the values ​​and messages contained in the novel. The results of the study show that the author successfully presents the characterization of two main characters, namely Nancy who has an arrogant nature and often insults others, and Bintang who is humble and always prays to God. Through the characterization of these two characters, the author conveys various educational values ​​including the value of simplicity, the spirit of pursuing ideals, moral education such as diligent study and humility, character education regarding respect for parents and teachers, the value of hard work, responsibility, patience in facing trials, the importance of admitting mistakes and forgiveness, and friendship. This research contributes to the world of education in utilizing children's literature as a medium for character formation, and provides references in selecting reading materials that suit the needs of children's character development.

This research is driven by the prevalence of patriarchal perspectives within the Christian theological tradition, which frequently marginalises the role of women. Contemporary feminist theology emerges in this context as a critical effort to reinterpret women’s experiences of faith and suffering in light of God’s liberating love. This study analyses the martyrdom of the Virgin Mary and Neerja Bhanot as examples of witnessing to faith and humanity, affirming the spiritual power and courage of women in the face of patriarchal structures. The study employs a qualitative descriptive method, adopting a literature review approach to the Holy Scriptures, church documents and feminist theological literature. The results show that Mary’s martyrdom reflects quiet, prophetic faithfulness as a white martyr, while Bhanot displays universal humanitarian martyrdom. Both reveal a God who is present in love and solidarity with human suffering. This research affirms that feminist theology is a reflective praxis of liberation, demanding a transformation in the Church’s and society’s views on the dignity and role of women in the work of salvation.

This study comprehensively examines the concept of Sharia law by highlighting the main divisions within Islamic law: taklifi law and wadh'I law. Taklifi law encompasses five normative categories: obligation, recommendation, permissibility, makruh, and prohibition, which serve to regulate individual behavior in accordance with Sharia principles. Meanwhile, wadh'iy law emphasizes the causes, conditions, and requirements for the validity of a legal act, thus forming a normative framework that guarantees the validity of an action from an Islamic legal perspective. This study uses a normative approach through a literature review of primary sources of Islamic law, such as the Qur'an, Hadith, and classical and contemporary fiqh literature. The results of the study indicate that the division between taklifi and wadh'iy law is crucial for understanding the structure and complexity of Sharia law, both in terms of the vertical relationship between humans and God and the horizontal relationships between individuals. This study also examines the contemporary issue of plastic surgery from an Islamic legal perspective.  Plastic surgery is permissible for medical purposes, such as reconstruction following an accident, congenital defect, or impaired bodily function, as it aligns with the principles of preserving benefit and eliminating harm. However, plastic surgery solely for aesthetic purposes is considered forbidden, as it constitutes altering God's creation without a sharia (Islamic) justification. This finding confirms that the division of sharia law is not merely theoretical but also relevant in addressing modern issues, including in medical practice, and has important implications for the development of contemporary Islamic law and its application within the national legal context.

This research begins with the complexity of challenges faced by Christian families in the modern era, such as issues of communication, loyalty, and role imbalance. The aim is to examine the theological meaning of marriage as a divine institution in Christianity, focusing on the core values ​​of love, loyalty, and responsibility. Furthermore, this research formulates implementative strategies to create a harmonious and strong Christian family. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a literature study method, analyzing various biblical sources, books, and journals on Christian marriage. Data were analyzed by selecting, grouping, and summarizing the contents of the readings using a theological relational model, where love and loyalty are the foundation that gives rise to responsibility. The results show that Christian marriage is the embodiment of God's plan, a reflection of Christ's love, and the foundation for a harmonious family. Implementative strategies in modern life include: building communication based on love, maintaining loyalty in the digital age, implementing servant leadership and equal partnerships, making the family a community of faith, and managing conflict with forgiveness. This research is expected to strengthen Christian family life in the modern era through a deeper understanding of the theological meaning of marriage and the application of relevant practical strategies. Academically, this research contributes to the development of practical theology.

This study aims to explore in depth the role of God in the creation of humanity as depicted in the Book of Genesis and its relevance to contemporary Christian life. Using a qualitative method with a literature study approach, this research analyzes the texts of Genesis 1:26–28 and 2:7–8, supported by systematic theological perspectives from scholars such as Louis Berkhof and J. J. Davis. The findings reveal that God’s role is multidimensional: God as the Sovereign Designer, who initiates and perfectly orchestrates the creation process; the Personal Creator, who forms humans from the dust of the ground with purpose and intimacy; the Giver of Life, who breathes the breath of life into humanity; and the Mandate Giver, who delegates authority and responsibility to humans to govern His creation. This understanding has profound theological and ethical implications, particularly for the formation of Christian identity rooted in the image and likeness of God (imago Dei), the strengthening of ecological responsibility toward environmental stewardship, and the cultivation of a transformative spirituality centered on living out God’s will in daily life. Therefore, this study concludes that the doctrine of creation is not merely a historical truth but an existential foundation that guides the faith, morality, and practical life of believers in responding to contemporary spiritual and social challenges.

This study aims to find the Analysis of Moral Values ​​in the Novel Surat Kecil Untuk Karya Agnes Davonar. This study discusses the Analysis of Moral Values ​​in the Novel Surat Kecil Untuk Karya Agnes Davonar. This research is a qualitative study. While data collection is done by reading and recording methods. From the results of the study, it can be seen that literature is the best written or printed work made by humans, creatures given reason. Humans are present to provide understanding related to what is conveyed through the medium of language. But sometimes just to understand, it needs to be studied specifically. understand the literature from a different perspective, namely moral. therefore the purpose of the following literary researchers is Moral Values ​​in the Novel Surat Kecil Untuk Karya Agnes Davonar. The research method used by researchers is descriptive qualitative. This study describes the object being studied by developing morals. Researchers act as the main instrument with the help of data. The data intended by this study is the moral data contained in the novel Surat Kecil Untuk Tuhan. And then used as a data source in the following research, namely the novel "Small Letters to God" by Agnes Davonar, published by Falcon Publishing in 2016. The thickness of the pages is 215. The results of this study show that the moral values ​​of the novel "Small Letters to God" written by Agnes Davonar include: moral values ​​in the novel "Small Letters to God" written by Agnes Davonar, namely human moral values ​​with God, moral values ​​with oneself, moral values ​​with other humans.

This study aims to find the Analysis of Moral Values ​​in the Novel Surat Kecil Untuk Karya Agnes Davonar. This study discusses the Analysis of Moral Values ​​in the Novel Surat Kecil Untuk Karya Agnes Davonar. This research is a qualitative study. While data collection is done by reading and recording methods. From the results of the study, it can be seen that literature is the best written or printed work made by humans, creatures given reason. Humans are present to provide understanding related to what is conveyed through the medium of language. But sometimes just to understand, it needs to be studied specifically. understand the literature from a different perspective, namely moral. therefore the purpose of the following literary researchers is Moral Values ​​in the Novel Surat Kecil Untuk Karya Agnes Davonar. The research method used by researchers is descriptive qualitative. This study describes the object being studied by developing morals. Researchers act as the main instrument with the help of data. The data intended by this study is the moral data contained in the novel Surat Kecil Untuk Tuhan. And then used as a data source in the following research, namely the novel "Small Letters to God" by Agnes Davonar, published by Falcon Publishing in 2016. The thickness of the pages is 215. The results of this study show that the moral values ​​of the novel "Small Letters to God" written by Agnes Davonar include: moral values ​​in the novel "Small Letters to God" written by Agnes Davonar, namely human moral values ​​with God, moral values ​​with oneself, moral values ​​with other humans.