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Interest in reading the Holy Scriptures is an important aspect of faith formation among Catholic Youth (OMK). However, various challenges, such as busy daily activities and the influence of digital media, have hindered the development of a consistent habit of reading the Scriptures. This study aims to describe the interest in reading the Holy Scriptures among Catholic Youth at Beato Dionisius Sumbul Parish and to analyze the use of the Lectio Divina method in fostering this interest. This research employed a descriptive qualitative approach involving ten informants, consisting of the parish priest, a youth mentor, and members of the Catholic Youth community. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model. The findings indicate that the interest in reading the Holy Scriptures among Catholic Youth has grown, although it has not yet become a consistent habit. The Lectio Divina method has proven effective in helping Catholic Youth read, understand, reflect on, and internalize the Word of God more deeply through the stages of Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, Contemplatio, and Actio. This method increases their interest in the Holy Scriptures and promotes spiritual growth reflected in their daily lives. Therefore, Lectio Divina can serve as an effective pastoral approach for fostering interest in reading the Holy Scriptures among Catholic Youth.

The study examines John 15:1–8, highlighting its Christological, ecclesiological dimensions, and pastoral implications in a contemporary context, particularly in West Kalimantan. Employing an exegetical approach integrated with theological reflection, the metaphor of the “true vine” is understood as a declaration of Jesus’ identity as the source of authentic life and the relational foundation of the community of disciples. The concept of “abiding” is interpreted as an ongoing existential connectedness with Christ, expressed through practices of faith such as engagement with the Word, prayer, and love. Meanwhile, “bearing fruit” is not merely ethical output but an authentic manifestation of life grounded in this relational union. Furthermore, the study argues that Johannine ecclesiology is organic in nature, portraying the church as a living community deriving its existence from and in Christ, rather than a purely institutional structure. The pastoral implications of this metaphor are significant in addressing local challenges such as individualism, ecological crisis, religious plurality, and the spiritual formation of youth. Using a praxis–reflection–praxis framework, the text is integrated into theological education as a model linking faith reflection with concrete action. The findings affirm that Christ-centered spirituality fosters personal and communal transformation relevant to the contemporary church.

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 research aims to examine how the functions of Christian counseling (preventive, curative, developmental, and pastoral) can be integrated into the practice of Christian Religious Education as an effective strategy to support adolescents’ faith development. The background of this study arises from the fact that adolescents experience a crisis of faith that is not only related to theological aspects but also affects their psychological and emotional well-being. On the other hand, christian religious education practices in schools often remain focused on the transfer of doctrinal knowledge without being balanced by adequate personal guidance. This study applies a qualitative method through literature review and conceptual analysis of christian counseling theory, theories of adolescent faith development, and pedagogical practices in christian religious education. The findings indicate that integrating Christian counseling functions into the design of christian religious education learning can create a dialogical, reflective, and pastoral classroom atmosphere, providing opportunities for adolescents to develop spiritual discernment, self-awareness, and the ability to make responsible moral decisions. This article discusses the relevance of counseling to adolescents’ spiritual development, the characteristics of their faith development, the challenges of implementing counseling in Christian educational institutions, and the design of learning based on dialogue, reflection, and mentoring. In this way, the integration of christian counseling in christian religious education is considered a holistic approach that enriches the meaning of faith education and supports adolescents’ faith growth in a contextual, profound, and sustainable manner.

The wave of digitalization triggers a severe morality crisis among the younger generation through constant exposure to negative content, cyberbullying, and global communication ethics degradation. This descriptive qualitative study aims to analyze the specific internalization of Christian values at GPIB Harapan Kasih Congregation Bekasi to shield youth morality amidst ongoing technological disruption. Employing intensive in-depth interviews and participatory observations, data were analyzed interactively through systemic reduction, structured display, and final verification. The results indicate that the digital morality crisis explicitly manifests as pornography normalization, virtual toxicity, and the severe erosion of academic honesty. In response, pastoral strategies utilizing highly contextualized digital ethics sermons and youth cell groups prove thoroughly effective. The deep internalization of self-control and integrity successfully stimulates a holistic self-censorship mechanism across the youth's cognitive, affective, and behavioral domains. This study concludes that consistent accountability-based mentorship effectively transforms Christian youth from passive digital victims into active agents of change within global cyberspace.

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 article examines the impact of dehumanization in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the formation of the personality of future priests in light of the teachings of Pastores Dabo Vobis, particular number 43-44, as well as from Philosophical and theological perspectives. The development of AI brings significant changes in the way human think, relate, and build their self-identity. On the one hand, AI offers great opportunities to support intellectual formation through access to information, pastoral simulations, and digital learning. However, on the other hand, the dominance of technology has the potential to cause dehumanization, namely a reduction in the quality of interpersonal relationships, the depth of reflection and sensitivity. This study employs a literature review method, examining relevant theological, philosophical, and scientific literature. The findings indicate that excessive reliance on AI can disrupt the development of the human dimension in seminarians, particularly regarding affective maturity, relational competence, and the integrity of personal identity. From a philosophical perspective, humans are understood as free, rational, and relational beings; thus, reducing humans to mere components of an algorithmic system contradicts their very nature. Meanwhile, theology affirms human dignity as the Imago Dei, which cannot be replaced by technology. Therefore, a critical and prudent formation approach is required, one that positions AI as an aid, not a substitute for human relationships.

This study aims to analyze the participation of the faithful in the Sacrament of Penance and to identify the pastoral challenges influencing its practice in the Vicariate of West Sulawesi, Archdiocese of Makassar. Theologically, the Sacrament of Penance serves as a means of reconciliation that restores the relationship between humanity, God, and the Church. However, in contemporary contexts, its practice encounters various social, psychological, and pastoral dynamics. This research employed a descriptive quantitative approach involving 267 respondents from four parishes through questionnaire distribution. The data were analyzed using percentage-based statistics to map participation frequency, spiritual motivation, level of understanding, post-sacramental experiences, and perceived obstacles. The findings indicate that although most respondents demonstrate strong theological understanding, sincere spiritual motivation, and positive spiritual experiences after receiving absolution, participation remains largely seasonal and periodic. The principal challenges include psychological factors such as shame and anxiety, structural limitations related to schedule and accessibility, and formative deficiencies such as insufficient ongoing catechesis. The study concludes that the primary issue is not a crisis of faith in the sacrament itself, but a gap between theological awareness and concrete practice, thus calling for more dialogical, communicative, and contextual pastoral renewal.

The rapid development of digital technology has significantly transformed the ways in which faith is experienced, particularly in the lives of adolescents. From the perspectives of digital religion and mediatization of religion, digital space is no longer merely a medium, but has become a cultural arena that actively shapes religious practices and meanings. The study aims to analyze these dynamics, especially within the context of Generation Alpha, by examining the opportunities and challenges that emerge in the lived experience of faith in the digital age. The findings indicate that digital environments offer creative, participatory, and contextual opportunities for evangelization, enabling young people to engage actively in constructing their religious experiences. However, this dynamic is inherently ambivalent, as it also risks reducing the meaning of faith to symbolic, instant, and less sacramentally grounded experiences, detached from the communal life of the Church. Furthermore, the formation of religious identity in digital spaces tends to be fluid and performative, potentially leading to superficial relationships and fragmented identities. Therefore, technologically mediated religious experience should be understood as a bridge, rather than a substitute, for authentic faith encounters. The Church is thus called to adopt adaptive and reflective pastoral approaches, positioning media as a means of fostering communio without obscuring the essence of faith. An integrative approach through the synergy of Church, family, and educational institutions is essential to balance digital literacy and spiritual depth, ensuring that adolescent faith continues to grow reflectively and remains rooted in real-life experience.

The study aims to analyze the role of digital media as a distracting factor affecting the faith loyalty of Catholic adolescents in their relationship with God amid religious pluralism in Indonesia. The development of digital media has transformed how adolescents understand, express, and live out their faith, while simultaneously presenting both opportunities and ambivalent challenges. This research employs a qualitative approach using a library research method, analyzing various theological, sociological sources, and Church documents. The findings indicate that digital media can serve as a broad and participatory space for expressing faith, but it also has the potential to create distractions in three main dimensions: cognitive, affective, and practical. Cognitively, adolescents experience confusion in understanding faith teachings due to the diversity of information available. Affectively, there is a shift in orientation from a relationship with God toward the pursuit of emotional gratification in digital spaces. Practically, there is a decline in engagement in concrete religious practices. Within the context of religious pluralism, this complexity intensifies and influences the formation of adolescents’ faith identity. This study also finds that digital media does not only have negative impacts but also holds positive potential as a means of deepening faith when used critically and reflectively. Therefore, the role of the Church is essential through contextual, dialogical, and integrative pastoral accompaniment combined with critical digital literacy. Through this approach, adolescents are expected to integrate their digital experiences into a more mature, authentic faith life rooted in a deeper relationship with God.

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.

This study examines the role of students of IFTK Ledalero in responding to human rights (HR) issues through the integration of theoretical understanding, spirituality, and concrete action. The background of this research is rooted in the increasing complexity of human rights violations in Indonesia, particularly in marginalized communities, which demands a contextual and transformative response from academic institutions. The objective of this study is to analyze how students internalize human rights values from philosophical and theological perspectives and translate them into practical engagement. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method, using literature review and contextual analysis of student involvement in social issues. The findings indicate that while students possess strong theoretical foundations and spiritual motivations, there remains a gap in translating these into consistent and structured advocacy actions. However, emerging initiatives such as community service, pastoral engagement, and social campaigns demonstrate a growing awareness and commitment. The implication of this study emphasizes the need for a more integrative educational approach that bridges theory, spirituality, and praxis, enabling students to become transformative agents in promoting human dignity and justice.

This research examines digital charity practices within Christian media communication on YouTube, focusing on two distinct donation formats: marapthon live stream donations (e.g., 24‑hour fundraising events) and sermon‑based donations (offerings collected during or after online worship services). Despite the rapid growth of faith‑based online giving, a critical problem remains: the absence of an integrated system that aligns these two donation models with Christian values of transparency, accountability, and community stewardship. Existing platforms often treat live marapthon and sermon donations separately, leading to fragmented donor experiences and inefficient fund utilization. Therefore, this study aims to develop a conceptual framework for an integrated digital charity system by comparatively analyzing media communication strategies in both donation contexts. The proposed method is a netnographic comparative analysis, involving systematic observation of YouTube comments, chat logs, and video descriptions from 10 Christian channels (5 marapthon‑focused, 5 sermon‑focused) over six months, supplemented by semi‑structured interviews with content creators and donors. The main findings reveal that marapthon donations emphasize urgency and real‑time social proof, while sermon donations rely on theological framing and pastoral trust. The synthesis proposes a hybrid system architecture incorporating real‑time donation tracking, automated acknowledgment, and weekly theological reflection modules. In conclusion, integrating both models into a single development framework enhances donor engagement and aligns digital charity with Christian communication ethics, offering practical guidelines for church‑based YouTubers and platform developers.

This study examines eschatology within the framework of Catholic faith as a reflection of faith and hope of salvation, not merely as a depiction of the end times. The background highlights the need to avoid reducing eschatology to a sole event of judgment day, by emphasizing the close relationship between eschatology, Christology, and soteriology, as well as the role of faith in the daily life of Catholic believers. The aim of the study is to articulate eschatology as an integrative framework that connects faith, hope, love, sacraments, liturgy, and inculturation in the Church’s praxis, and to consolidate the active participation of the faithful in the Kingdom of God, which has been initiated but not yet completed. The research method is descriptive-analytical literature review, comparing the views of experts, the Church Magisterium, and contemporary liturgical and theological documents to construct a comprehensive theoretical framework. The main findings indicate that Catholic eschatology functions as a moral and spiritual engine: (1) it integrates the “already and not yet” in the experience of faith; (2) it links eschatological hope with the actions of love, justice, and social liberation; (3) it bridges private faith with sacramental practice and inculturation. Theological and pastoral implications include strengthening faith formation, participation in liturgy, and an imaginative response to present-day social and environmental challenges. This narrative affirms a living, inclusive, and relevant eschatology for the Church’s life of faith in the contemporary era.

Pastoral care within the Voice of Truth Gospel Church throughout North Sumatra has experienced a decline in quality in fostering the maturity of faith and the spiritual life of the congregation. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which emotional intelligence influences the quality of pastoral care within the Voice of Truth Gospel Church throughout North Sumatra. This study uses a quantitative approach. The data obtained were analyzed using simple linear regression techniques. This study proves that: Based on data reduction, it is known that the emotional intelligence of pastors, administrators, and servants of the Voice of Truth Gospel Church in the North Sumatra region is in the high category; Based on the results of data reduction, it is also known that the majority of respondents assess that pastoral care within the Voice of Truth Gospel Church throughout North Sumatra has been running quite effectively; Emotional Intelligence has a positive and significant effect on the variable of Pastoral Care Quality. This can be seen from the calculated t (8.857) > t table (1.65437) and Sig. (0.000) < 0.05, and based on the results of the coefficient of determination test, it is known that the Quality of Herding is influenced by the Emotional Intelligence variable with a value of 61.2% and the remaining 39.8% is influenced by other variables outside this study.

Early marriage is a social phenomenon that remains prevalent in Indonesia and gives rise to various problems in family life. This article aims to analyze the implications of early marriage in light of the Code of Canon Law (CCL) Nos. 1055 and 1056 in the context of Catholic couples. This study employs a qualitative method with a descriptive-analytical approach through a literature review of books, scientific journals, and Church documents. The findings indicate that the CIC affirms marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman oriented toward the bonum coniugum (the good of the couple), openness to children, and characterized by unity and indissolubility. In the context of early marriage, various implications were identified, such as emotional immaturity that triggers domestic conflicts, a high risk of divorce, low levels of education, and impacts on the health of mothers and children. Additionally, early marriage also indicates a weak understanding of the sacramental dimension and family responsibilities, including childrearing. Thus, CIC Nos. 1055 and 1056 provide an important normative foundation that marriage requires human, spiritual, and social maturity for the realization of a wholesome and prosperous Catholic family.

Widespread structural poverty is one of the tangible effects of a capitalist economic system that emphasizes capital accumulation and economic growth without regard for equity and social justice. This situation has prompted the Church to reexamine its role in a world marked by inequality and marginalization of the poor. This article aims to analyze the relevance of Pope Francis' thinking in the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium as a theological and pastoral basis for the Church's stance towards the poor. This study uses a qualitative method with a literature review approach through document study, with Evangelii Gaudium as the main source, supported by relevant social theology literature and academic studies. The results of the study show that Pope Francis comprehensively understands poverty in three dimensions, namely material, moral, and spiritual poverty. Through Evangelii Gaudium, the Church is called to experience a change in its mission, from a self-centered Church to a Church that moves outward and is actively involved in the liberation of the poor. Thus, the Church not only carries out charitable works, but also acts as an agent of social change that brings the joy of the Gospel, justice, and hope to a world wounded by structural injustice.

This research is motivated by the reality of ethnic and cultural diversity in congregation life which reflects the dynamics of a multicultural society, where differences in cultural identity have the potential to cause social friction if not managed wisely. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with normative studies, with data collection techniques through interviews, observations, and documentation of informants consisting of pastors, congregation councils, and presbyters. The theory used is Ralph Linton's role theory which explains how individuals carry out social functions according to their status in society. The results of the study indicate that the life of the GMIT Sion Oepura congregation is characterized by multicultural dynamics as seen from the diversity of ethnicities such as Timor, Rote, Sabu, Flores, and Alor which not only enriches church life through cultural expressions in worship and church activities, but also gives rise to symbolic friction between ethnic groups, such as the tendency for the dominance of certain cultural symbols and the emergence of group ego attitudes in several worship activities, for example in the celebration of Language and Culture Month. In this situation, religious leaders play a role as leaders who embrace diversity, mediators in managing potential conflicts, and social and moral role models for the congregation through sermons, pastoral guidance, and various service activities that involve the entire congregation without differentiating cultural backgrounds. Despite the existence of cultural differences and the tendency for certain symbolic dominance, religious leaders are able to manage this diversity normatively so that it does not develop into open conflict. This study concludes that the role of religious leaders is very important in strengthening social solidarity and maintaining harmony in multicultural congregations.

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.

This study examines the dynamics of church music regulation implementation in the congregation of the Adventist Secondary School – Surya Nusantara Adventist University (SLA-UASN) Pematangsiantar (September 2022–December 2025). The goal is to describe the implementation of the regulation in worship practices, address challenges, reveal congregational responses, and align local practices with the views of Ellen G. White and official SDA documents. The research employed a qualitative descriptive approach with a case study method; data were collected through in-depth interviews with 16 informants, participant observation, and documentation studies, then analyzed thematically using source triangulation. The results indicate that the regulation originates from church regulations (SDA Church Guidelines) and local policies, but is disseminated orally, resulting in differing understandings. There is intergenerational tension between supporters of traditional music (hymnals) and contemporary music that has not been bridged dialogically. Resistance from music ministers arises from inconsistent implementation and minimal involvement in policy development. Communication between music leaders and ministers remains weak, with no regular evaluation forum, resulting in a continued decline in the quality of music worship. This study concludes that effective music regulation requires clear written documentation, structured intergenerational dialogue, ongoing music theology education, and inclusive and participatory pastoral leadership.