Publication Search

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.

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 aims to explain the theological meaning and implications of the word "worship" (προσκυνέω/proskuneō) in Matthew 2:2 in the context of the birth of Jesus Christ, and its relevance to the worship practices of the church today. This study uses a qualitative method with a contextual-historical analysis approach to the biblical text, supported by a review of theological literature related to worship in the Christian tradition. The results of the study indicate that proskuneō does not only refer to an act of reverence, but also contains the meaning of acknowledgment of divine authority, an attitude of humility, and a deep spiritual commitment. In the context of Matthew 2:2, the actions of the Magi represent theological, relational, and transformative worship. These findings confirm that true worship involves acknowledging God's sovereignty, a readiness for sacrifice, and an openness to renewal of life. The practical implication for the church today is the need to enrich the understanding and practice of worship that goes beyond the liturgy, but is manifested in personal intimacy with God, acts of social benevolence, and service that reflects a God-fearing life. This article contributes to a biblical understanding of worship and its application in the context of the believer's spiritual life.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as Diabetes Mellitus and Gout pose a serious threat to the health of the elderly due to their often asymptomatic nature. Cost barriers hinder the elderly community from accessing laboratory services. This community service activity aims to improve health standards and early detection of NCDs through monitoring blood glucose and uric acid levels in the Generasi Kaleb community of the JKI Injil Kerajaan Church, Semarang. The Participatory Health Screening and Education method used includes health education, screening using the Point of Care Testing (POCT) tool, and personal consultation on the results. The service subjects were 50 elderly respondents. The examination results showed a prevalence of abnormal random blood glucose (GDS) of 8%, 32%, had high uric acid levels with a maximum value of 10.3 mg/dL. This activity successfully transformed the elderly's awareness from subjective perception to awareness based on objective data, and encouraged community independence in managing a healthy lifestyle to prevent further NCD complications. .

This community service program was conducted at GPIA Sidoasri, Malang Regency, a church community located in a rural area with limited access to capital, technology, and market opportunities. To improve the economic welfare of its members, the church initiated a micro-enterprise producing banana chips and jackfruit chips. However, the business faced several challenges, including unattractive product packaging, a short shelf life due to the absence of preservatives, and difficulties in determining competitive and profitable selling prices. To address these issues, the service team provided training on marketing strategies and business capital management. The training covered product branding through attractive packaging, the use of digital promotion to expand market reach, the separation of personal and business finances, simple financial record-keeping, and responsible capital management practices. The program was implemented through lectures, interactive discussions, and participant mentoring. The results showed that participants gained a better understanding of marketing strategies and basic financial management. Although challenges such as limited capital and low digital literacy remained, participants demonstrated strong enthusiasm to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the program. This activity highlights that the success of micro-enterprises depends not only on product quality but also on effective marketing strategies and sound capital management. Furthermore, the program reinforces the importance of careful planning and responsible stewardship in business, as reflected in the wisdom of Proverbs 21:5.

This study is motivated by the author’s interest in the concept of God’s faithfulness (khesed) as revealed in the book of Hosea, which portrays God’s steadfast love through the marriage of Hosea and Gomer. Gomer represents Israel, the unfaithful spouse, while Hosea embodies God’s enduring love despite betrayal. Contemporary family life faces numerous challenges, including infidelity, economic hardship, incompatibility, and divorce problems also affecting Christian families in the Toraja Church congregation of Tabang. This study aims to describe the hermeneutics of khesed in the book of Hosea and its practical theological implications for families in that congregation. A qualitative research method was employed, incorporating library research, field research, and interviews with six informants. The findings reveal that khesed refers to an act of faithfulness rooted in obedience to previously agreed vows, commitments, and principles. The practical theological implication is that every Christian family is called to reflect God’s faithfulness by remaining loyal to their spouse, to others, and to God in every dimension of life.

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.

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 development of digital technology has brought about significant changes in various aspects of life, including early childhood faith education. Today’s children are growing up in an environment familiar with digital media, making it necessary to adopt a catechetical approach that keeps pace with the times. This article aims to examine the use of digital catechesis as a tool for early childhood faith education. This study employs a qualitative method with a literature review approach, gathering data from books, scientific journals, research articles, Church documents, and other relevant sources. The data is analyzed using descriptive-qualitative methods to understand the benefits, challenges, and role of digital catechesis in fostering children’s faith. Research findings indicate that digital catechesis can serve as an effective, engaging, and interactive medium for helping children learn about the teachings of the faith from an early age. The use of animated videos, religious songs, educational images, and learning apps can enhance children’s interest in learning, attention, and understanding of Catholic faith values. Furthermore, digital catechesis also assists the Church, families, and schools in providing faith education that is more contextual and aligned with the world of today’s children. However, the use of digital media still requires the guidance of parents, teachers, and faith mentors so that children receive proper direction and are protected from the negative impacts of technology. Thus, digital catechesis is a relevant tool in the faith education of young children when used wisely and purposefully. The presence of digital media does not replace the role of faith educators but serves as a tool that enriches the process of proclaiming the faith in the modern era.

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.

This community service program aimed to strengthen community development in Negeri Soya by reinforcing group kinship ties within a multicultural society. As a traditional village in Ambon City, Negeri Soya is inhabited by people from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds who live together in one area. This diversity requires harmonious social relations supported by solidarity, brotherhood, and social awareness. The program focused on the men’s service group of the Elim Sector, Soya Congregation, as a forum for social and spiritual development. The activities were conducted through lectures, question-and-answer sessions, and collaborative practices in church services. The materials emphasized group kinship, social solidarity, togetherness, and the understanding that kinship is not limited to blood relations, but can also be built through shared territory, life experiences, and continuous social interaction. The results show that the Negeri Soya community has strong solidarity and active participation in religious and social activities. Values such as mutual cooperation, masohi, and the concept of orang basudara serve as important foundations for social integration. Men’s church service activities strengthened care, cooperation, and shared responsibility among members. These findings indicate that local cultural values remain relevant for managing diversity and building collective resilience in post-conflict communities. Overall, this program contributed positively to strengthening social relations and supporting harmonious, inclusive, and sustainable community life in Negeri Soya in daily life.

Christology is a branch of Christian theology that discusses the person and work of Jesus Christ as the core of the Christian faith. The development of the modern era, characterized by globalization, pluralism, technological advancement, and cultural diversity, presents new challenges in understanding Christ in a relevant and contextual manner. This research aims to examine the development of Christological reflection in various life contexts and explain its application in contemporary life. The research uses a qualitative approach with a literature study method thru the examination of various classical and modern theological literature from both Protestant and Catholic traditions. The analysis was conducted using a historical-critical approach to understand the development of Christological thot from the early church period to the modern era. The research results show that Christology is not only doctrinal but also has practical dimensions related to personal, social, cultural, interfaith dialog, ecological, and modern challenges. Christological reflection affirms that Jesus Christ is understood as the true God and true man, serving as the foundation of spirituality, ethics, and social action for Christians. Furthermore, the contextual Christological approach helps the church present Christ's teachings relevantly in a pluralistic and dynamic society. This research implies the importance of developing contextual, inclusive, and transformative theology so that the Christian faith remains meaningful in modern life.

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 is motivated by the importance of understanding the development of the Kingdom of God in Indonesia as a reality present in the lives of the people through the values ​​of love, justice, and peace in a pluralistic society. The purpose of this research is to analyze the factors that support and hinder the development of the Kingdom of God in Indonesia and explain its application in contemporary life. The method used is a qualitative descriptive method through a literature review and theological analysis of the social, cultural, and religious dynamics that are developing in Indonesian society. The results of the study indicate that the development of the Kingdom of God is supported by the role of the church in evangelistic missions, holistic services, universal values ​​of love and justice, and a spirit of religious moderation. On the other hand, this development is hampered by local cultural resistance, socio-political dynamics, a lack of comprehensive theological understanding, and the potential for conflict in poorly managed plurality. The implications of this research emphasize that the Kingdom of God needs to be lived as a contemporary reality through personal and social transformation, obedience to God's will, and the realization of identity as citizens of the Kingdom of God in everyday life.

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.

This study is motivated by the importance of understanding theology not merely as a theoretical concept, but as a reflection of faith that is lived within the cultural context of society. In the context of the Dayak community in Central Kalimantan, there is a close relationship between cultural values and spiritual life, thus requiring a theological approach that can bridge the two. This study aims to analyze the praxis model in contextual theology and its application in the life of the Dayak community. The method used is a descriptive qualitative approach through literature study by examining various relevant sources. The results show that the praxis model emphasizes the relationship between lived experience, faith reflection, and concrete action. Cultural values such as togetherness and mutual cooperation are in line with Christian teachings; however, there are also traditional practices that create tension with faith. The church plays an important role in addressing this through a dialogical and reflective approach. The implications of this study indicate that the application of the praxis model enables believers to live out their faith in a contextual, relevant, and transformative way in daily life without losing their cultural identity.Top of Form

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.

The rapid advancement of information technology has reshaped modern society, in particular influencing how young individuals express their identities through fashion. The choice of clothing goes beyond mere practical functions, becoming a symbol of social status and values as young people attempt to adapt to rapidly changing trends, driven largely by digital platforms such as social media. These phenomena have simultaneously led to alarming waste production and environmental degradation, reflecting the mismatch between modern lifestyles and theological mandates on the management of creation. The fast-paced fashion industry, characterized by rapid production cycles and high consumerism, exacerbates the ecological crisis by generating large amounts of textile waste and contributing to detrimental practices in global supply chains. The study uses a qualitative approach, emphasizing literature research to analyze relevant literature and synthesize findings into meaningful discourse. Ultimately, it advocates a transformative catechesis that integrates ecological awareness into the formation of young people's faith, leveraging digital spaces to advocate for simplicity and community engagement in sustainable practices. The challenges faced in fostering this ecological awareness include the prevalence of a culture of instant gratification and the gap between knowledge and action, which hinders the alignment of belief with action. Theological reflection further emphasizes the spiritual implications of consumer behavior, placing ecological responsibility as a fundamental aspect of authentic expression of faith. Based on these insights, this paper underscores the importance for the Church to be proactively involved in the fight for ecological preservation, recognizing that true faith is manifested through tangible actions that honor the divine creation.

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.