The Way: Jurnal Teologi dan Kependidikan

MEMBANGUN EKOSISTEM PELAYANAN YANG SEHAT: PERAN KEPEMIMPINAN TRANSFORMATIF DALAM MEMITIGASI RISIKO MENTAL HEALTH PELAYAN TUHAN DI ERA DIGITAL

Erlitawati Kaharudin, Suleman Lim — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study is motivated by the challenges faced by ministers of God who are increasingly vulnerable to multidimensional pressures in line with the advancement of digital technology, including constant public exposure, instant criticism, and the massive flow of information. These developments have the potential to trigger mental health disturbances among ministers. The research employs a literature review method. The objective of this study is to explore the role of transformational leadership in mitigating the mental health challenges of ministers in the digital era. The findings reveal that transformational leadership in mental health mitigation involves the integration of various approaches, including the reorientation of leadership paradigms, the strengthening of positive interpersonal relationships, the catalysis of motivation and problem-solving, the empowerment of digital literacy and ethics, and the integration of spirituality as essential steps toward fostering mental health within a healthy ministry ecosystem.

KEBEBASAN DAN PENEBUSAN SEBAGAI WUJUD KESEMPURNAAN KASIH ALLAH: SUATU TELAAH TEOLOGI PENTAKOSTAL ATAS RELASI ALLAH DAN MANUSIA

Reynhart Yegar Sitorus, Nur Budi Santosa — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The relationship between God and humanity is a central theme in Christian theology, often discussed through various theological approaches. In this regard, the factor of redemption often receives greater attention than human freedom, even though both are closely related in understanding God's love as a whole. This article aims to examine freedom and redemption as a theological unity that expresses the perfection of God's love from a Pentecostal theological perspective. This research uses a qualitative method with a literature study approach to biblical texts and relevant Pentecostal theological literature. The results of the study indicate that freedom is given by God as a relational space so that humans can respond to His love consciously and responsibly. However, this freedom also opens up the possibility of sin and relational separation. In this context, redemption is understood as an initiative of God's love that does not eliminate human freedom, but rather restores broken relationships through the work of Christ. This restoration of relationships opens up space for the presence and work of the Holy Spirit for every believer, which is especially the basis of the faith and spirituality of Pentecostals. Therefore, freedom and redemption together reveal the perfection of God's love, as a love that creates living relationships, restores failures, and remains actively present in His relationship with humanity.

TRANSFORMASI STRATEGI PEMBENTUKAN MURID SEBAGAI KATALISATOR PEKABARAN INJIL DI RUANG SIBER

Yakub Hendrawan Perangin Angin, Tri Astuti Yeniretnowati — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines the persistent reality that churches and individual Christians have not yet positioned discipleship as the primary orientation in fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Instead, many churches and believers remain preoccupied with physical buildings and service-oriented activities in their stewardship, thereby neglecting the central mandate of disciple-making. Employing a library research method and thematic analysis, this study explores the relationship between disciple formation and evangelism within the framework of transformative discipleship as a catalyst for Gospel proclamation. The findings demonstrate that when churches and individual believers simultaneously are encouraged to become catalysts for evangelism in cyberspace in a rapid and sustainable manner, thereby fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.

PERAN GEREJA DALAM MENCEGAH KORUPSI: MEMBANGUN BUDAYA INTEGRITAS MELALUI ETIKA KRISTEN

Brio Gideon Tambunan, Selviawati Selviawati, Meriyana Meriyana — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Corruption is a multidimensional issue that undermines the social, economic, political, and moral fabric of Indonesian society, resulting in systemic impacts such as increased poverty, social inequality, weakened public trust, and impeded sustainable development. This study aims to analyze the perspective of Christian ethics on corrupt practices and evaluate the role of the church in fostering a culture of integrity. Employing a qualitative method with a literature review approach, this research examines biblical texts addressing injustice, bribery, and the abuse of power. The findings reveal that the Bible consistently rejects all forms of corruption as they contradict the just character of God, affirming that integrity is a calling of faith for believers. The study identifies four strategic roles for the church in cultivating a culture of integrity ethical education, leadership by example, institutional transparency, and collaboration with anti-corruption institutions. These four aspects demonstrate that the church has a significant contribution to make in shaping the character of its congregation and preventing corruption in society. The implications of this research underscore the need for the church to develop systematic and sustainable ethical formation programs to ensure that the value of integrity is deeply internalized by all members of the congregation.

KREMASI DALAM PERSPEKTIF GEREJA KRISTEN SANGKAKALA INDONESIA: TINJAUAN TEOLOGIS, ETIS DAN PRAKTIS

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the practice of cremation from theological, ethical, and practical perspectives within the context of contemporary Christianity. The increasing prevalence of cremation amidst social and economic changes and land constraints has sparked debate within churches regarding its compatibility with Christian faith, particularly regarding the doctrine of bodily resurrection. Traditionally, burial has been viewed as a practice that reflects respect for the body as God's creation and a symbol of the hope of resurrection. However, developments in modern theology demonstrate that cremation is not inherently contrary to Christian faith, as resurrection is understood as a work of God's power that is not limited by the physical condition of the body. This study uses a qualitative approach through a literature review of the Bible, classical and contemporary theological literature, and church documents from various denominations. The results show that there is a diversity of church views on cremation, influenced by hermeneutical factors, tradition, and cultural context. Theologically, cremation does not hinder resurrection; ethically, the practice is acceptable as long as it is carried out with respect for the dignity of the body; and practically, cremation offers a relevant solution to the needs of modern society. This study concludes that cremation can be viewed as a legitimate option in Christianity, as long as it does not conflict with belief in the resurrection and is carried out within a framework of respect, love, and responsibility.

SIMUL JUSTUS ET PECCATOR SEBAGAI KRITIK TEOLOGI REFORMASI TERHADAP SPIRITUALITAS PERFORMATIF DALAM KEKRISTENAN DIGITAL

Mozes Lawalata, Rachel Nadine Tapilaha — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Perkembangan media digital telah membentuk ulang spiritualitas Kristen kontemporer, khususnya dalam cara iman direpresentasikan di ruang publik. Kajian-kajian yang ada tentang Kekristenan digital sejauh ini lebih banyak menekankan dimensi sosiologis dan media, sementara refleksi teologis normatif terhadap asumsi-asumsi soteriologis yang menopangnya masih relatif terbatas. Artikel ini berargumen bahwa menguatnya spiritualitas performatif dalam Kekristenan digital mencerminkan kebingungan teologis yang mendasar antara justifikasi dan sanctifikasi. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif teologis–hermeneutis melalui desain kajian konseptual-kritis berbasis literatur, penelitian ini memperlakukan praktik Kekristenan digital sebagai locus theologicus. Melalui keterlibatan kritis dengan wacana spiritualitas digital, analisis ini menafsirkan ulang praktik-praktik tersebut dalam terang doktrin simul justus et peccator dan theologia crucis dari Martin Luther. Artikel ini menegaskan kembali pembenaran sebagai tindakan forensik yang bersifat definitif dan berakar pada kebenaran Kristus yang diimputasikan, sementara pengudusan dipahami sebagai karya Roh Kudus yang bersifat progresif dan belum selesai. Kesimpulannya, spiritualitas performatif dalam konteks digital cenderung beroperasi dalam logika theologia gloriae yang secara halus melegitimasi iman melalui performa moral. Sebagai kontribusi teoretis, kajian ini menawarkan kerangka teologis Reformasi untuk membentuk spiritualitas Kristen digital yang berakar pada anugerah, kejujuran teologis, dan tanggung jawab pastoral.

MODEL KONSEPTUAL PAK INKLUSIF BAGI ANAK DISABILITAS: SINTESIS DIFERENSIASI DAN UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING (UDL)

Christian Putra Simanjuntak — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Christian Religious Education (PAK) has a theological and pedagogical responsibility to reach children with disabilities. The challenge is that PAK practices in various church and school settings still tend to use the same approach, which is less responsive to the diversity of learning needs. Adaptive and participatory learning models are needed in the context of Christian faith, rooted in the idea of imago Dei and the inclusive ministry of Jesus Christ. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively examine the differentiation approach and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and their relationship to the development of PAK for children with disabilities. This qualitative study used a library research approach involving data from a literature review involving books and scientific journal articles published in the last ten years. For analysis, thematic categorization related to the principle of differentiation and the main principles of UDL was used. The results show that Christian Religious Education teachers and parents can adapt learning strategies to suit the needs of each child using a differentiation approach. Furthermore, UDL provides a proactive and inclusive curriculum design framework from the planning stage. With the elaboration of both, Bible material is more accessible, more people are actively involved, and a more contextual faith is formed for children with disabilities. The result is that the application of differentiation and UDL in Christian Religious Education is not only pedagogically relevant but also consistent with the theological values of human dignity. This supports the realization of just, participatory, and transformative faith education.

MESIAS YANG DINANTIKAN: MEMBACA NUBUAT PARA NABI DENGAN PERSPEKTIF BARU DALAM MENINGKATKAN SPIRITUALITAS ORANG KRISTEN KONTEMPORER

Sulistiono Sulistiono — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Interpretations of the prophetic announcements concerning the Messiah are often discussed mainly within the historical setting of ancient Israel, while their relevance to contemporary faith reflection has not always been explicitly addressed. Nevertheless, the historical development of messianic expectations demonstrates that the understanding of the Messiah was closely shaped by the social, political, and religious circumstances of the communities that anticipated his coming. This study employs a qualitative approach using a literature review method by examining biblical texts, particularly the prophetic books, together with related theological scholarship on messianic thought. The purpose of this research is to describe how the Old Testament prophets portrayed the Messiah, to trace the development of this expectation during the intertestamental period, and to highlight its relevance for contemporary Christian spirituality. The findings indicate that the prophets proclaimed the Messiah as a descendant of David anointed by God to establish justice, peace, and restoration for God’s people. However, during the intertestamental period this expectation gradually shifted toward the image of a political and military leader who would liberate Israel from foreign domination. The study concludes that the understanding of the Messiah developed within changing historical contexts, yet consistently pointed toward God’s universal redemptive plan and remains meaningful for the spiritual life of believers today.

DOMBA TANPA ARAH: KRISIS GEMBALA DAN MANAJEMEN GEREJA DALAM MISI KERAJAAN ALLAH DI ERA DISPARITAS DUNIA KETIGA

Selamat Juni Rianto Manurung, Meitha Sartika, Royke J. Rambing — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines the crisis of pastoral leadership and church management and its impact on the implementation of the mission of the Kingdom of God within the socio-economic disparities of the Third World. The study is grounded in the phenomenon of churches experiencing ministerial disorientation due to the limited capacity of pastors to integrate spirituality, organizational governance, and social sensitivity. The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between the pastoral crisis, church management practices, and the effectiveness of ecclesial mission. This study employs a qualitative method with a theological-critical approach, drawing on a review of literature on pastoral leadership and a conceptual analysis of the mission of the Kingdom of God. The findings indicate that the absence of visionary leadership and participatory management leads to the neglect of the dimensions of justice, liberation, and social transformation in church ministry. The implications of this research point to the need for reconstructing a model of pastoral leadership that is integrative, contextual, and oriented toward a praxis of mission that is relevant to the realities of the Third World.

IMPLEMENTING THE GREAT COMMISSION OF MATTHEW 28:19–20 THROUGH ONLINE WORSHIP IN BETHEL CHURCH

Haryadi Sarjono, Yosef Antonius — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study was conducted in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, which required churches to adapt their forms of worship due to restrictions on religious activities. Online worship through live streaming became the primary medium for conducting spiritual services. This situation raised an important question about how effectively the Great Commission, as stated in Matthew 28:19–20, could continue and contribute to church growth amid the crisis. Previous studies have generally discussed digital ministry, but few have quantitatively examined the relationship between online worship, the implementation of the Great Commission, and church growth in the Indonesian context. This study aims to analyze the relationship, both partially and simultaneously, between online worship and the implementation of the Great Commission with the growth of the Bethel Church of Indonesia, Jalan Tuparev 429B, Karawang, West Java. A quantitative associative method was employed, using questionnaires distributed to 62 respondents aged 24–39 (Generation Y). The results show a moderately strong positive correlation between online worship and church growth (r = 0.560), and between the implementation of the Great Commission and church growth (r = 0.507). Simultaneously, both variables exhibit a strong positive relationship (r = 0.600). These findings demonstrate that God’s mission can still be fulfilled through technological innovation in worship, even during the limitations imposed by a pandemic.

REFLEKSI TEOLOGIS ATAS PANGGILAN ORANG KRISTEN UNTUK HIDUP DALAM KESAHAJAAN MENURUT IBRANI 13:5 DI TENGAH KESENJANGAN SOSIAL

Fandy Mulya Latif, Yanto Paulus Hermanto — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The phenomenon of social inequality and consumerist culture, marked by the practice of flaunting wealth (flexing), has weakened social solidarity, fostered individualism, and eroded communal values. The church, therefore, should not function merely in a liturgical capacity but is called to offer a prophetic witness through the ethical practice of a simple and modest lifestyle. This study analyzes Hebrews 13:5 as a theological foundation for simplicity among believers and explores how such a lifestyle can become a source of peace in contemporary society. Using a qualitative library research approach, this study examines the biblical text as the primary source, supported by theological, ethical, and social literature. The analysis focuses on a brief exegesis of the key terms aphilargyros (free from the love of money) and arkeo (to be content) to uncover their theological meaning and ethical implications. The findings show that Hebrews 13:5 is not merely an individual moral exhortation but a principle of discipleship that rejects enslavement to wealth and affirms contentment as an expression of trust in God’s provision. This ethic has significant social implications, including reducing social jealousy, strengthening solidarity, and enhancing the church’s credibility in society. This study concludes that a simple lifestyle, as taught in Hebrews 13:5, is not merely a personal choice but a faith responsibility with social impact, contributing to the cultivation of peace within communal life.

EKOTEOLOGI SEBAGAI SUARA KENABIAN GEREJA: PEMBACAAN ATAS RESPONS HKBP TERHADAP KRISIS EKOLOGI

Leonardo Napitupulu, Jan Christian Wismar Saragih — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The global ecological crisis has generated serious consequences for the survival of humanity and all creation, thereby challenging the church to articulate a relevant and contextual theological response. This article examines ecotheology as the prophetic voice of the church within a local context, particularly the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP). The study employs a literature review and historical analysis as its primary approaches. The findings indicate that ecotheology serves a dual function: first, as a critique of the anthropocentric legacy that has supported the exploitation of nature; and second, as a constructive framework of Christian faith that affirms an ethical responsibility for the care of creation. In the context of HKBP, this prophetic voice is expressed through official church documents, public statements by church leaders, and concrete actions such as reforestation initiatives, ecological education, and criticism of exploitative corporate practices. Nevertheless, these efforts remain partial and incidental, and thus have not yet been fully integrated systematically into church policies, liturgy, and faith-based educational curricula.