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This study aims to develop a strategy for developing praise and worship services through a deeper biblical theology of Psalm 150, as a fundamental solution for congregational growth at YHS Eka Sinta Church in Kapuas Regency. The main premise of this study is based on the crucial disconnect between contemporary church music practices, which tend to be performative, and the essence of the doxology authoritatively contained in the text Scripture. By integrating descriptive qualitative methods and an exegetical biblical theology approach, this study explores the imperative meaning and poetic structure of Psalm 150 and then engages them in intercultural dialogue with the sociocultural context of local churches in Kalimantan. The results reveal that the biblical theology Psalm 150 emphasizes the totality of instrumental use and the universality of the subject of praise as an absolute reflection of God's sovereignty and might. Field findings indicate that the effectiveness of music services is often hampered by technical limitations and theological shallowness of liturgical ministers. This study concludes that healthy congregational growth, both in terms of spiritual quality and quantity, is rooted in the extent to which the church able to actualize biblical theological values ​​in expressions of praise that are relevant and resonate with the cultural background and local identity of its congregation. The resulting strategy offers a holistic ministry model, in which church music returns to its essential function as an instrument of faith transformation and a means of growing the Kingdom of God, adaptively yet faithful to the biblical text.

Divorce is an increasing social reality within Christian congregations, including in Indonesia, bringing profound psychological, social, and spiritual impacts while simultaneously presenting serious challenges for the church's pastoral ministry. This article examines the theological foundation and practical approaches in pastoral accompaniment for congregation members experiencing divorce, employing library research methodology within a pastoral theology framework. The study reveals that the church is called to be present not as a judge, but as a healing, supportive, and restoring community. Effective pastoral accompaniment encompasses empathetic pastoral counseling, a compassionate congregational community, intentional attention to affected children, and a long-term restoration commitment rooted in Gospel grace. The church is called to move beyond stigmatization toward genuine acceptance of wounded individuals, reflecting the redemptive love of Christ. This article concludes that the church's response to divorce must balance biblical integrity with deep compassion, affirming both the sanctity of marriage and the dignity of broken individuals. Thus, the church can become a safe space for every congregation member to experience genuine restoration and rediscover hope in Christ.

This article examines the influence of cell group (komsel) leadership, Christian lifestyle, and discipleship on the growth of the congregation at Christian Ministry Church (CMC) Jakarta. Employing a quantitative correlational design with 140 respondents, the study operationalizes three independent variables (X₁ = cell leadership; X₂ = lifestyle; X₃ = discipleship) against the dependent variable (Y = congregational growth). Pearson correlation analysis reveals significant correlations between cell leadership and lifestyle (r = .800, p < .01) and between cell leadership and discipleship (r = .591, p < .01), whereas direct correlations with Y were non-significant individually. Multiple regression yielded R = .752 and R² = .566, indicating that collectively the three predictors account for 56.6% of variance in congregational growth. These findings reinforce the argument that organic church growth is multidimensional and that the synergistic interaction of cell leadership, moral integrity, and discipleship constitutes a coherent growth ecosystem. Theological and pastoral implications are discussed within frameworks of contemporary missiology and cell ecclesiology.

This study aims to analyze the role of kenotic Christology as a theological foundation for spiritual formation and non-dominative leadership in undergraduate theological education at STT Kerusso Indonesia. A quantitative survey design was employed, involving 26 students as respondents through a Likert-scale questionnaire. The results indicate that all measured variables are in the high category, with mean scores for kenotic Christology ranging from 4.10 to 4.30, spiritual formation at approximately 4.20, and non-dominative leadership at approximately 4.25. Correlation analysis shows strong positive relationships between kenotic Christology and spiritual formation (r≈0.65), as well as between spiritual formation and leadership (r≈0.70). Regression analysis further reveals a significant simultaneous contribution of 55%, indicating that the variables collectively support the formation of servant-oriented leadership. These findings confirm that kenotic Christology functions as a meaningful theological foundation in shaping spiritual habits, humility, self-emptying attitudes, and leadership practices that avoid domination. The study concludes that theological education should intentionally integrate kenotic values to strengthen spiritual maturity and servant leadership among future church leaders within academic communities that prepare students for humble ministry in diverse ecclesial contexts.

This study examines the role of social media as a contemporary arena of spiritual warfare and its impact on Christian spirituality amid the growth of digital disinformation. Employing a mixed-method approach, the research combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to identify patterns of religious disinformation and explain their influence on doctrinal understanding, worship practices, and the faith identity of church members. The findings indicate a negative relationship between exposure to disinformation and the depth and consistency of spiritual practices. They also reveal increasing theological confusion and the emergence of digital influencers as “alternative authorities” who shape religious interpretation outside established church guidance. In addition, low levels of media literacy and the church’s limited readiness for digital ministry further heighten believers’ vulnerability to misleading narratives. The study concludes that the digital sphere functions as a strategic field of spiritual warfare requiring an integrated theological, pastoral, and literacy-based response. Recommendations include developing theologically grounded media literacy programs, training digital ministry leaders, strengthening pastoral guidance online, and designing contextual, evidence-based church content for contemporary digital communities across diverse contemporary congregational settings and contexts.

Human happiness does not lie in physical pleasure, victory, wealth, honour, worldly power, a beautiful body, or the senses. People in religious communities seek something deeper, contemplating and acknowledging the highest value in union with God. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Contra Gentiles, arguments that human happiness lies in the contemplation of God, through which one attains peace and fulfilment in total self-surrender to God. However, in the lived experience of religious communities, a fear of matters related to sexuality is evident. Indeed, some misunderstand and misinterpret these matters, resulting in monks and nuns who become cold, dry, and rigid, acting in ways that violate sexual morality, thereby disrupting or even destroying—their ministry due to such improper conduct. Based on this, the author recognises the importance of education and the appreciation of sexual values for religious communities. Using a literature review method involving relevant books, journals, articles, and Church documents with a theological approach, it was found that the education of religious people requires aspects of happiness and sexuality education. The results of the study indicate that Thomas Aquinas’s concept of happiness can bridge religious life with sexuality education, which is one aspect that must be understood and lived out. Therefore, the happiness of love and the sexuality education of religious people need to be explored and lived out in the course of living and experiencing life as a religious person.

Churches and Christian institutions frequently face the challenge of congregations whose understanding of ministry remains confined to the spiritual dimension alone, while the holistic ministry mandate calls for active engagement across social, educational, and economic spheres. This study examines two primary objectives: first, how Christian Religious Education (CRE) shapes congregational understanding of holistic church ministry; and second, how CRE equips congregants with the concrete capacity to serve comprehensively. A qualitative approach with a case study design was employed at Yayasan Sola Gratia Medan. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with seven informants comprising foundation leaders, program coordinators, active church members, volunteers, and beneficiaries. Analysis followed a thematic framework encompassing data reduction, display, and conclusion drawing. Findings reveal that: (1) consistent CRE implementation at Yayasan Sola Gratia has successfully shifted the congregational ministry paradigm from exclusively spiritual to holistically transformative; and (2) congregants who have internalized CRE values demonstrate more structured ministry capacity, stronger theological motivation, and significant cross-dimensional engagement. This research contributes a contextual CRE model relevant for church-based institutions operating in multidimensional urban environments.

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed various sectors of human life, including church ministry and religious organizational management. This study aims to analyze Christian leadership ethics in the use of AI within modern church ministry. The research employs a qualitative descriptive method through theological literature review and analysis of recent studies concerning digital technology and pastoral ministry. The findings indicate that AI provides significant benefits for church administration, digital communication, congregational data management, and online evangelism. Nevertheless, ethical challenges also emerge, such as the weakening of pastoral relationships, data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, and the risk of dehumanization in ministry practices. From a Christian theological perspective, ministry is fundamentally relational and incarnational, reflecting the example of Jesus Christ who ministered through personal presence, compassion, and direct interaction with people. Therefore, AI should be understood as a supportive instrument rather than a substitute for spiritual authority and pastoral presence. Christian leadership in the digital age must be grounded in integrity, transparency, spiritual discernment, and respect for human dignity as the image of God (imago Dei). This study contributes to the development of ethical guidelines for churches in utilizing AI responsibly while maintaining theological integrity and Christian spiritual values.

Technological developments have brought significant changes to various aspects of human life, including church life. These changes also impact intergenerational relationships within the congregation. This paper aims to examine the challenges faced by church leaders at GEKISIA Depok in serving Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z, and to examine the relevance of the theological principle of Romans 12:2 in addressing these challenges. Ultimately, the author observes that differences in generational characteristics influence communication patterns, ministry models, and congregational expectations of church leadership. Therefore, church leaders in the digital age are required to be adaptive, transformative, and remain rooted in biblical values. Romans 12:2 serves as an important theological foundation for Christian leaders to experience a renewed mindset so they can serve according to God's will without being influenced by worldly patterns. Furthermore, the challenge of cross-generational leadership is not merely practical in nature, but also theological. Each generation brings different experiences, values, and perspectives in understanding faith and spirituality. Generation X tends to value institutional stability and loyalty, while Millennials are more oriented toward authentic experience and community. Generation Z, having grown up entirely in the digital age, communicates and expresses faith in ways that differ greatly from previous generations. In this context, church leaders are called to become bridges between generations, rather than simply following trends or rigidly preserving tradition.

This research aims to analyze the integration of biblical authority in the construction of the theological education curriculum through a theological and pedagogical approach. The authority of the Bible as the normative and final word of God has a central role in the formation of doctrine, ethics, and practices of church life, so it should be the main foundation in the development of the theological education curriculum. In practice, however, there is a tendency that the construction of the curriculum is more influenced by modern academic and pedagogical approaches without adequate integration into biblical theological foundations. This study uses a qualitative method with a literature study approach that analyzes various sources of systematic theology and Christian education theory. The results of the study show that the integration of biblical authority in the theological education curriculum can be carried out through three main aspects, namely: (1) the placement of the Bible as a normative source in the entire curriculum structure, (2) the integration of theological values in learning design, and (3) the development of pedagogical models oriented towards spiritual formation and character. The findings of this study confirm that the construction of a theological education curriculum rooted in biblical authority not only results in academic competence, but also shapes spirituality, integrity of faith, and readiness for ministry. Thus, this research makes a conceptual contribution in developing an integrative theological education curriculum model between theological and pedagogical dimensions.    

Divorce has become an increasingly common reality in Christian family life and poses serious challenges for the church in carrying out pastoral family ministry. Theologically, divorce stands in tension with Christian ethics, which views marriage as a sacred and covenantal institution established by God. This article aims to analyze Christian ethics regarding divorce from a biblical theological perspective and to examine its implications for family ministry within the context of Ketapang, West Kalimantan. This study employs a qualitative research method with a theological-normative and contextual approach through a literature review of biblical texts, theological books, and scholarly journals. The findings indicate that Scripture affirms marriage as God’s ideal will, while divorce is understood as a consequence of human sinfulness and relational brokenness. In the context of Ketapang, social, economic, and cultural factors contribute significantly to the vulnerability of families to divorce. Therefore, the church is called to develop a contextual family ministry that not only upholds Christian ethical norms but also embodies love, justice, forgiveness, and restoration for broken families. This article emphasizes that Christian ethics concerning divorce must be practiced pastorally and transformatively within the life of the local church.

Christian leadership rooted in John 15:1 8 and 13 17 depicts Jesus as the true vine, where leaders, as branches, must abide (remain attached) in Him (Jesus Christ) to bear abundant fruit through divine vision, moral integrity, and passionate service. This analysis explores how the vine metaphor shapes a leadership model that depends on an intimate (attached) relationship with Christ, producing fruit in daily life and ministry. The relationship between the vine and the branches reflects the necessity for church leaders to rely on Christ for guidance, strength, and the ability to serve others effectively. The model emphasizes the importance of nurturing personal spiritual growth, cultivating virtues that align with God’s purpose, and fostering a ministry focused on service and integrity. These principles are relevant for Indonesian church leaders who are called to integrate their faith with contextual ministry. By examining the passage through exegesis and literature review, this article provides insights on developing a Christ centered approach to leadership.

Modern urban churches, specifically Gereja Bethel Indonesia (GBI) PRJ Jakarta, face challenges in bridging the intergenerational gap in leadership regeneration. This research aims to reformulate the paradigm of church leadership towards the next generation by exploring the theological meaning of Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet based on the text of John 13:12-17. Using a qualitative method through a library research approach as well as textual and contextual biblical analysis, this study deconstructs the concept of worldly elitist power into a servant leadership model. The results of the expository analysis show that Jesus validated His historical and political authority not through social status distance, but through incarnational ministry, relational proximity, and role modeling. As a practical implication for the quality of ministry at GBI PRJ Jakarta, these findings recommend a strategic transition from a one-way communication leadership style to relational mentoring, the empowerment of the younger generation through the delegation of authority, and the tangible modeling of integrity. In conclusion, the improvement of shared ministry quality highly depends on the willingness of church leaders to lay aside structural egos and disciple the younger generation through the example of humility centered on the work of the cross of Christ.

The New Testament is an essential part of the Christian Bible, containing testimonies concerning the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the development of the early Church. To fully understand its message, it is necessary to examine the historical and theological contexts that shaped its composition. This article aims to explore the New Testament from historical and theological perspectives by examining the social, political, cultural, and religious background of the first-century world, the process of the writing of the New Testament books, and their principal theological messages. The study employs a library research method with a descriptive-analytical approach to various biblical and theological sources. The findings indicate that the New Testament emerged within the context of Roman rule, Jewish religious traditions, and Hellenistic cultural influences, all of which shaped both the authors and their audiences. The books of the New Testament were written to address the needs of early Christian communities, affirm the identity of Jesus Christ, strengthen believers' faith, and provide guidance for Christian living. Theologically, the New Testament emphasizes central themes such as the Kingdom of God, salvation through Jesus Christ, grace, the formation of the Church, and eschatological hope. Therefore, an understanding of the historical background and theological message of the New Testament is essential for accurate interpretation and for maintaining its relevance to the life of the Church and contemporary Christian believers.

In the face of Indonesia’s escalating family crises amid rapid digital disruption and post-pandemic social recovery, this study proposes a novel “Dual-Ethos Synergy Model” that integrates the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) with the second principle of Pancasila, namely “Just and Civilized Humanity.” The study is grounded in qualitative fieldwork conducted at Gereja Bethel Indonesia Pemulihan Keluarga Allah (GBI PKA). The findings demonstrate that the integration of Christian spiritual values and civic ethics fosters restorative character formation within families and church communities. This synergy produces practical outcomes, including stronger empathy in community service, improved interpersonal relationships, and more constructive conflict resolution practices. Using data gathered through nine in-depth interviews, participant observations, and document analysis, the study addresses existing gaps in urban church discipleship by combining spiritual transformation with social responsibility and civic engagement. The proposed model also offers implications for scalable digital-hybrid ministry programs focused on family restoration and contributes to the development of contextual theological praxis within pluralistic and multicultural societies. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are also discussed.

A faith-based marriage strengthening program is essential for building family resilience in urban congregations facing high divorce rates and declining marital quality. This community service activity aimed to revitalize the marital bonds of 22 couples in the Pria Sejati Bandung community and GPPS Agape Bandung congregation through the "Reborn Marriage" program. Using a participatory action research approach, a team of 12 facilitators implemented three main stages: initial coordination to identify needs and plan together with the community; an intensive one-day intervention consisting of teachings on grace, agape love, and divine purpose of marriage, along with testimony sharing, footwashing ritual, and gift giving; and a marriage commitment renewal ceremony. The results showed 100% attendance rate of all registered couples, active participation in every coaching session, and qualitative findings from focus group discussions including renewed spiritual intimacy, mutual forgiveness between spouses, and alignment of marital visions based on divine values. A total of 86% of couples expressed willingness to participate in regular follow-up mentoring, and local leaders emerged among participants who are ready to facilitate small groups after the program. Discussions confirmed that combining biblical teachings on agape love with experiential symbolic rituals can holistically transform marital relationships. This community-based intervention proves replicable in other local communities and churches in urban settings, especially those seeking to strengthen family resilience through integrated pastoral care and participatory action.

This study examines the theological tension between devotion to God and the influence of mammon within the context of church ministry, as reflected in Matius 6:24. The research aims to analyze how materialism shapes attitudes, motivations, and practices in ecclesiastical service, particularly in relation to financial and administrative responsibilities. The method employed is a literature analysis combined with a phenomenological approach, allowing for an integration of biblical teachings and lived ministry experiences. The findings reveal that mammon is not merely a material entity but a competing spiritual force that demands human loyalty, often subtly influencing the orientation of ministry. Materialism, therefore, emerges as a critical challenge to ministerial integrity, especially in contexts involving financial management. The novelty of this study lies in its integration of theological reflection with empirical ministry experience, emphasizing that integrity in church service is not only tested in spiritual expressions but also in the handling of material resources. This study contributes to practical theology by offering a contextual understanding of how faithfulness to God must be maintained amidst the persistent tension between spiritual calling and material demands.

Jesus’ declaration “I am the gate” in John 10:7-9 is a rich theological metaphor that holds significant meaning for both Christological reflection and contemporary pastoral ministry. This article aims to examine the meaning of this statement through a biblical exegetical approach and pastoral theology. The research employs a qualitative method based on literary analysis, including a study of the Greek text and a contextual reading of the Gospel of John. The findings indicate that the metaphor of the “gate” emphasizes Jesus’ identity as the sole way to salvation and as the source of abundant life for believers. Moreover, this image highlights Christ’s pastoral function in granting access to a living relationship between God and humanity while providing protection and guidance for His flock. The pastoral implications of this text invite church ministers to imitate Christ as the gate by fostering openness, offering spiritual security, and promoting a liberating form of pastoral care. Thus, John 10:7–9 not only conveys profound theological insights but also offers a relevant pastoral paradigm for the Church’s mission in the contemporary context.

This study aims to examine the lived experience of the Eucharist as an experience of love in the lives of Catholic families at St. Michael Buluq Sen Station, Good Shepherd Parish of Ritan Baru, Archdiocese of Samarinda, through the lens of Henri Nouwen’s spirituality. It employs a descriptive qualitative approach, with data gathered through observation, semi-structured interviews with eight active Catholic families, and a review of relevant literature. Data were analyzed through systematic stages of reduction, display, and conclusion drawing, supported by source and method triangulation. The findings show that the experience of the Eucharist is expressed in four interrelated dimensions of Nouwen’s spirituality: being chosen, blessed, broken, and shared. “Being chosen” appears in the family’s awareness of belonging to a community loved by God; “being blessed” is reflected in gratitude for life; “being broken” is revealed in the willingness to embrace suffering and sacrifice; and “being shared” is embodied in active participation in Church ministry and social engagement. This study affirms the Eucharist as a transformative source shaping family relationships and social life, enriching theology and supporting formation in rural families.

This study aims to identify and describe the influence of Spiritual Camping on the faith militancy of Catholic Youth (OMK) at St. Martinus Bone-Bone Parish. The activity is designed to strengthen fellowship among OMK members and deepen their spiritual relationship with God. A quantitative descriptive design was employed, involving 120 respondents who participated in the Christmas Camping (December 28-31, 2023) and Luwu Youth Day Camping (July 25-29, 2024) at Bukit Tabor, East Luwu Regency. Data were collected via Google Form questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicate that most participants experienced increased spiritual enthusiasm, closeness to Jesus, and active involvement in OMK activities after the camping. Specifically, 31.7% gained new insights, 28.3% were motivated for self-improvement, 12.5% became more prayerful, and 35% increased their engagement in ministry. Additionally, the camping strengthened social bonds and personal-group commitments to church participation. These findings demonstrate that Spiritual Camping effectively enhances OMK’s faith militancy while promoting community cohesion and sustained spiritual commitment.