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:The participation of women in various spheres of life has witnessed significant progress; however, it is undeniable that patriarchal culture remains deeply entrenched and continues to reproduce discriminatory practices and…
nd violence against women, including through religious interpretation. In many instances, religion inadvertently reinforces gender inequality through scriptural interpretations that are predominantly shaped by male perspectives and patriarchal structures. Therefore, a hermeneutical approach is required, one capable of deconstructing such biases and rearticulating the voices of women in a just manner. This study aims to interpret Song of Songs 3:1-5 through the lens of feminist literary criticism, specifically employing the “woman as reader” approach developed by Elaine Showalter. This approach emphasizes the experiences, voices, and agency of women as subjects within the text. Through the stages of interpretation, narrative deconstruction, and critical evaluation, the analysis reveals that the female character in this passage is portrayed as an autonomous individual who demonstrates initiative and actively expresses her love and longing. This representation subtly challenges patriarchal constructions that traditionally position women as passive objects in gender relations. On the other hand, the text also opens a reflective space to examine how women, consciously or unconsciously, may contribute to the perpetuation of systems that oppress them. Consequently, a feminist reading of Song of Songs not only unveils the emancipatory potential within the biblical text but also offers a critical and transformative hermeneutical framework. This represents an effort to reclaim a gender-just theological space and to reimagine sacred scripture as a site of both spiritual and social struggle toward justice and equality.
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:The pastor plays various important roles in the congregation, such as preacher, teacher, priest, administrator, and counselor. Among all these roles, the counselor holds the greatest responsibility. The task of pastoral…
counseling includes providing emotional and spiritual support to the congregation. In addition to helping the congregation overcome emotional, mental, and spiritual issues, counseling also assists them in discovering their identity, life calling, and potential, so that they can develop holistically in life. Pastoral counseling is a form of interpersonal communication that requires the pastor to have good communication skills. The ability to build strong relationships with the congregation significantly influences their spiritual development. Additionally, empathy and compassion are qualities that pastors must possess to support their interpersonal skills. Diagnostic skills are also crucial for a pastoral counselor. With these skills, the counselor can identify the problems faced by the congregation and provide assistance or refer them for further treatment. Interpersonal skills help build open relationships, while diagnostic abilities are essential in identifying the root causes of the congregation's issues. In the diagnostic process, assessment and interpretation skills are vital to understanding the congregation's problems comprehensively—emotionally, mentally, socially, culturally, and spiritually—so that the solutions provided can be effective and accurate. Pastoral counseling plays a significant role in supporting the growth of faith and overall well-being of the congregation.
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:Discussion of offerings cannot be separated from the Bible. In the Bible there are teachings about offerings that are worthy before God in both the Old and New Testaments, but does the giving of offerings have an effect…
on the progress of ministry and the spirituality of church members? The aim of the research is to find out, analyze, explore and test the description of the giving of offerings as well as the ministry and the spiritual progress of church members. Obtaining the influence of giving offerings on ministry, as well as the influence of giving offerings and serving on the spiritual progress of church members. This study uses a descriptive qualitative method, by analyzing and explaining the effect of offerings on the progress of ministry and the spirituality of Congregational Members. To be able to carry out effective evangelism, everything must be supported by the power of funding, this can be done through the calling of sacrifice to give offerings. Offerings are a means of funding evangelism to make it more effective. In this case all church members can be involved, and this affects the progress of ministry and spiritual growth.
Abstract:This research aims to explore and analyze the service strategy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (GMAHK) in the Banjarmasin Congregation. Using a qualitative approach, this research explores various aspects of ministry…
strategies, including teaching, social service, and community involvement, to understand their impact on congregational growth and relationships with the community. The research population includes members of the GMAHK Banjarmasin congregation who are involved in church services. Data was collected through direct observation, interviews with church leaders, congregation members, and volunteers, as well as analysis of church documents. A thematic analysis approach is used to identify patterns and meaning related to service strategies. It is hoped that the results of this research will provide new insights that can increase the effectiveness of church services, especially in the context of the local culture and environment of the Banjarmasin congregation. By focusing on developing relevant and significant services, this research has the potential to make a positive contribution to the congregation's spiritual growth and positive interactions with the surrounding community.
Abstract:The advancement of digital technology has encouraged the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in online counseling services to enhance the accessibility and quality of mental health care. The emergence of AI through…
chatbots, virtual counselors, and digital mental health platforms presents various opportunities, challenges, and ethical implications that require comprehensive examination. This study aims to analyze the opportunities offered by AI, the challenges associated with its implementation, and the ethical implications of its use in online counseling services. The study employed a literature review method with a qualitative approach, examining 15 scientific articles published between 2016 and 2026. Data were analyzed using content analysis through the synthesis of findings from previous studies. The results indicate that AI has the potential to expand access to counseling services, improve service efficiency, support preliminary assessments, and facilitate the delivery of more personalized and data-driven interventions. However, the use of AI continues to face several challenges, including limitations in understanding human emotions and social contexts, the risk of inaccurate responses, algorithmic bias, and the potential for user dependency on technology. The most prominent ethical concerns involve privacy protection, data security, algorithmic transparency, system accountability, and professional responsibility. This study concludes that AI is more appropriately positioned as a supportive tool or co-counselor for professional counselors rather than a replacement for human practitioners. The novelty of this study lies in its integration of the opportunities, challenges, and ethical implications of AI into a comprehensive analytical framework.
Abstract:This study examines the resolution of non-performing financing in Islamic financial institutions, which have experienced significant growth but are confronted with increasing risks of non-performing financing (NPF) that…
may undermine institutional stability and public trust. The research problem focuses on the suboptimal mechanisms for resolving problematic financing, the existence of a gap between legal norms and their practical implementation, and the lack of integration of philosophical approaches within the framework of Islamic economic law. This study aims to analyze resolution mechanisms from the perspective of Islamic economic law, identify the factors contributing to the normative–practical gap, and formulate a more comprehensive and equitable resolution model. The method employed is normative juridical, utilizing statutory and case approaches, with secondary data analyzed qualitatively through deductive reasoning. The findings indicate that the resolution of non-performing financing is still predominantly characterized by restructuring measures that are administrative in nature and fail to address root causes, while litigation pathways remain relatively ineffective due to procedural and substantive constraints. The disparity between legal norms and practice suggests that legal implementation has not fully reflected the principles of substantive justice. The study concludes by emphasizing the necessity of reconstructing resolution mechanisms through the integration of normative, empirical, and philosophical dimensions. The novelty of this research lies in the development of a maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah-based resolution model that offers a holistic approach oriented toward justice, public welfare, and the balance of interests, thereby providing more effective, contextual, and sustainable solutions within the Islamic financial system in Indonesia.
Abstract:Chronic pain represents a major global health burden and often remains resistant to conventional pharmacological treatment, prompting the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies. Electroencephalographic (EEG) neurofeedback…
eurofeedback has emerged as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention that enables patients to self-regulate brain activity and potentially alleviate persistent pain symptoms. This systematic review addresses the research problem of inconsistent evidence regarding the clinical efficacy and underlying mechanisms of EEG-based neurofeedback for chronic pain management in adults. A comprehensive analysis of 80 studies involving adults with chronic pain lasting at least three months was conducted, examining neurofeedback protocols, clinical pain outcomes, neurophysiological changes, secondary benefits, and methodological quality. Findings revealed heterogeneous results, with several studies reporting statistically significant and clinically meaningful pain reduction, particularly in conditions such as chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic back pain. Observed neurophysiological changes, including increased alpha power and modified connectivity in pain-related brain regions, were sometimes associated with clinical improvement, alongside reported benefits in sleep quality, mood, and overall well-being. However, evidence from sham-controlled randomized trials showed no significant differences between intervention and control groups, highlighting methodological limitations and challenges in blinding procedures. The review concludes that EEG neurofeedback is a safe and feasible intervention with potential therapeutic value for chronic pain, although current evidence remains inconsistent. The novelty of this study lies in its integrative evaluation of clinical outcomes, neurophysiological mechanisms, and protocol-specific effects, while emphasizing the need for personalized approaches, biomarker identification, and rigorous experimental designs to clarify efficacy and optimize treatment implementation.