Abstract:Students at the Theological Seminary (Sekolah Tinggi Teologi, STT) of GPI Papua bear a dual identity, not only as prospective church ministers but also as individuals with personal aspirations concerning academic achievement,…
ment, social mobility, and future professional paths. The tension between vocational calling and personal ambition constitutes an existential challenge that influences the construction of motivation, spirituality, and life orientation among theology students. This study aims to analyze the dialectical dynamics between these two dimensions and to examine how local Papuan cultural values shape students’ interpretations and efforts to harmonize them. The research problem stems from a lack of integrative theological understanding of personal ambition within the context of vocational ministry. Employing a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design, data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically to identify meaning structures, internal conflicts, and integration strategies employed by the students. The findings reveal that personal ambition is not necessarily antithetical to the calling of ministry; rather, it can serve as a constructive force when interpreted through a reflective spirituality grounded in contextual theology. Ambitions guided by Christian values can enhance ministerial capacity and foster authentic personal growth, whereas unmanaged ambition tends to lead to spiritual fragmentation. This study contributes a scientific model of integration between spiritual, personal, and cultural dimensions within theological formation. It recommends a reformulation of curriculum and spiritual formation strategies that are contextual, dialogical, and oriented toward the development of a holistic and culturally relevant vocational identity.
Abstract:Ecclesiastes 9:1-6 presents a fundamental and provocative theological statement about the reality of death as an inevitable fate for all humanity, without distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked. This discourse…
se explicitly challenges the retributive ethical framework that assumes a linear relationship between morality and reward, while also revealing the existential absurdity of humans who often seek meaning through fragile worldly achievements. This study aims to interpret the pericope through an existential and contextual theological approach, focusing on its theological relevance in addressing the crisis of spirituality and ethics in modern culture dominated by ambition for power, economic exploitation, and the marginalization of transcendental values. Utilizing a reflective-critical hermeneutical method, this study argues that awareness of mortality should not lead to ontological despair, but rather serve as a starting point for forming a more authentic, relational, and ethical orientation to life. Death in this text functions as an epiphanic moment that unveils human limitations while reorienting existential focus toward God and social responsibility. The novelty of this research lies in its prophetic reading of a wisdom text that has often been interpreted pessimistically, highlighting its potential as a theological critique against modern nihilistic and anti-spiritual ideologies. This study contributes to the development of a contextual theological framework capable of constructively and transformatively responding to the crisis of meaning and ethics in contemporary society.
Abstract:This study aims to analyze the role of post-marital counseling as a pastoral strategy in addressing marital conflicts during the first five years of marriage among congregants of the Bethel Church of Indonesia (Gereja Bethel…
thel Indonesia) Musi Palem Indah, Palembang. The first five years of marriage represent a critical period prone to various issues, such as personality differences, poor communication patterns, financial problems, spiritual crises, and the influence of secular culture. Although the church has implemented a premarital counseling program, data indicate instances of divorce among young married couples due to a lack of continuous guidance. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method using observation, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires distributed to 25 couples who were married between 2020 and 2025. Data analysis was conducted through the stages of reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing, validated through source triangulation. The findings reveal that the majority of respondents (70–80%) acknowledged that post-marital counseling plays a significant role in resolving household conflicts, fostering healthy communication, and strengthening family spirituality. The key finding of this study is the effectiveness of the MUSI-based pastoral counseling model (Problem, Effort, Goal, Intervention), which is systematic, contextual, and spiritually integrative according to the needs of the local congregation. The study recommends that the church develop post-marital counseling programs as an integral part of pastoral family ministry in a preventive, structured, and continuous manner to strengthen Christian family resilience from the early stages of marriage.
Abstract:Youth represent a socio-psycho-spiritual entity undergoing a critical transitional phase, characterized by identity crises, value disorientation, and pressures from secular-cultural influences. Within the framework of Christian…
ristian pastoral theology and pedagogy, faith formation serves as a strategic mechanism to cultivate integrative spiritual maturity, encompassing cognitive (doctrinal understanding), affective (spiritual affection), and conative (practical orientation) dimensions. This study analyzes the effectiveness of Bible Camp as an experiential learning-based faith formation model in the spiritual development of youth. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, the research explores the contribution of Bible Camp to the internalization of theological values, the construction of religious identity, and the strengthening of faith community cohesion. The findings indicate that Bible Camp activities—such as hermeneutic study, collective worship, existential reflection, and group dynamics—result in significant faith transformation on both personal and communal levels. This process aligns with Streib’s faith development theory and Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, which emphasize cognitive reconstruction through reflective experience within a social context. Bible Camp effectively mediates the transition from conventional faith to reflective and dialogical faith, while enhancing youth’s spiritual competencies in confronting the complexities of contemporary reality. The findings reinforce the assumption that faith formation in interactive non-formal settings is more effective than conventional instructional approaches in producing theological and ethical paradigm shifts. Therefore, Bible Camp is positioned as a relevant and contextual ecclesiological instrument in the recontextualization of Christian faith education. This model functions not only as a venue for individual spiritualization but also as a catalyst for the formation of resilient, participatory, and transformative Christian character within a pluralistic socio-religious ecosystem. Recommendations are directed towards institutionalizing Bible Camp as a systemic strategy for youth faith formation in the mission of the contemporary church.
Abstract:This study develops an interdisciplinary theological framework that integrates collective memory, a theology of woundedness, and local wisdom as epistemological and pastoral strategies for engaging with social trauma inscribed…
cribed in the communal body of postcolonial and post-conflict societies in Indonesia. Collective memory, as examined by Halbwachs, Assmann, and Volf, is not construed as a mere aggregation of historical facts but as a cultural construction that shapes theological identity through performative, ritualistic, and narrative social processes. The theology of woundedness, informed by the works of Rambo, Moltmann, Jones, and Brock, resists binary categorizations between suffering and salvation, positioning wounds instead as loci theologici—revelatory spaces wherein the Holy Spirit dwells amidst unhealed wounds as a manifestation of divine solidarity and the possibility of redemption. Employing a qualitative-descriptive methodological framework and contextual hermeneutics, this research investigates local narratives, healing rituals, customary symbols, and inculturated liturgies among Christian communities in Ambon, Poso, and East Nusa Tenggara. The findings suggest that local wisdom functions not merely as a cultural instrument but also as a sacramental medium through which the Spirit operates incarnationally. The integration of these three dimensions demonstrates that post-traumatic restoration cannot be reduced to psychological or therapeutic pastoral practices alone; rather, it demands a theologically transformative, contextually rooted, and dialogical articulation of the wounded social body. Within this construct, the Church is envisioned as an anamnetic community that employs collective memory as a praxis of salvation, regards local culture as a spiritual body, and embraces woundedness as a participatory locus within the salvific narrative. Accordingly, this study contributes a novel paradigm for contextual theology and pastoral praxis in multicultural societies marked by the legacy of historical suffering and the urgent need for reconciliation grounded in justice and memory.
Abstract:This study examines the effectiveness of the Presbyterian-Synodal system of church governance in shaping an inclusive, participatory, and contextual ministry within the Indonesian Protestant Church in Papua (GPI Papua).…
Employing a qualitative approach and contextual case study, the research focuses on the relationship between church governance structures and Papuan communal culture, which emphasizes deliberation, egalitarianism, and communal living. The findings indicate that, in principle, the Presbyterian-Synodal system possesses the potential to accommodate the collective character of Papuan society and to support congregational participation in ecclesiastical decision-making processes. However, implementation at the local level faces several challenges, including inconsistent understanding of ecclesiastical roles and responsibilities, limited human resource capacity, and misalignment between synodal policies and the contextual needs of congregations. These issues reveal a gap between the theological-structural design of the system and the pastoral realities on the ground. Therefore, this study recommends institutional renewal based on local contexts, the development of transformative church leadership models, and the strengthening of ecclesiological education rooted in Papuan cultural and social dynamics. Theoretically and practically, this research contributes to the development of contextual ecclesiology and church management in multicultural settings, emphasizing the importance of synthesizing Reformed theology with local values. As such, this study not only offers a constructive critique of current church governance practices but also opens space for reflection and innovation, enabling the church to become more relevant, just, and empowering in addressing contemporary challenges and contextual realities.
Abstract:Jesus Christ has finished carrying out the task of saving on the hill of Golgotha. Jesus rose on the third day and was still with His disciples for some time. This togetherness consists of repeating and re-consolidating…
things related to the salvation that He has provided during his ministry. At the same time, Jesus also gave a command recorded by the writers of Matthew and Mark. The commandment told His disciples to go preach the Gospel to all nations and creatures. Now it was the disciples' job to go ahead and carry out the command. Jesus provided a service concept in the form of an evangelism strategy that could be accepted by the local community. This journal writing is focused on contextual evangelism through the health sector and counseling. This concept needs to be worked out with the wisdom of heaven through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Seeing the diverse geography, contextual services through Health use a mobile clinic system. The writing of this journal will discuss it in more depth so that it can be understood by every reader and can be applied in every place where evangelism is carried out.
Abstract:Abstract This research depicts the results of an in-depth analysis of pastoral leadership dynamics within the context of modern church management through a qualitative literature study approach. The study reveals the importance…
mportance of integrating solid managerial skills with spiritual dimensions to strengthen church leadership. Research findings affirm that creating a balanced equilibrium between managerial and spiritual aspects is crucial in guiding the church through various challenges in contemporary times, including adapting to evolving technological changes and social dynamics. Furthermore, this research highlights the necessity of adaptation to contextual changes as a critical element in building successful church leadership, wherein church leaders are expected to discern and respond to the dynamics of the external and internal church environment wisely and proactively. In conclusion, this research provides a deeper understanding of how pastoral leadership can be enhanced to manage modern churches more effectively, fulfill the church's mission calling, and serve the community in a more holistic manner.
Abstract:Abstract Digitalization has had a significant impact on various aspects of life, including in the realm of business and religious practices. This research focuses on Christian evangelism in the digital era, where technology…
ogy has become an integral tool for spreading religious teachings. Digitalization allows churches and religious organizations to leverage social media, websites, podcasts, and other online platforms to reach a wider audience, significantly younger generations increasingly connected to technology. This research uses literature analysis methods and phenomenon observation as the primary approach. The research results show that digital evangelism effectively reaches a broader audience but is also faced with challenges, such as the risk of spreading misinformation or religious extremism. The importance of ethical responsibility in using technology is highlighted, with the need for churches and spiritual leaders to develop discipleship strategies that are contextual and responsive to current developments.
Abstract:This research explores an in-depth understanding of the Prophet Isaiah's message about the strength of faith in facing times of trial, with a focus on analyzing the meaning of fasting in the context described in Isaiah 58:6-10.…
8:6-10. This research aims to understand how the Prophet Isaiah became an example of the strength of faith through the teachings of fasting, in line with his theological and contextual understanding. Text and context analysis methods are used to detail the meaning and implications of fasting in Isaiah's writings, with the aim of identifying teachings that can empower people to strengthen their faith during times of trial. It is hoped that the results of this research can contribute to practical and theological understanding of the power of faith in the context of trials, especially through understanding the message of the Prophet Isaiah about the meaning of fasting.