Church planting strategies in the context of religious moderation in multicultural societies

Abstract

Religious moderation is an important element for the church in facing the challenges of Indonesia’s multicultural society. As a strategy, religious moderation emphasises tolerance and interfaith dialogue, allowing the church to carry out an inclusive evangelistic mission without sacrificing its doctrinal identity. This approach is relevant in the era of globalisation, where differences are often a source of conflict. With the integration of local values, the use of technology and interfaith dialogue, the church can be an agent of harmony widely accepted by society. Based on the mission theology of Orlando E. Costas and Kosuke Koyama, this study proposes a contextual and transformative mission model that emphasises Christ’s love. Constructive qualitative analysis develops theological concepts relevant to religious moderation in a pluralistic society. The study results indicate that the religious moderation approach effectively reduces conflict and strengthens the church’s role as a facilitator of dialogue and social transformation. This study offers strategic guidance for the church in carrying out a peaceful, relevant and contextual evangelistic mission amidst cultural and religious diversity.

Contribution: This study bridges mission theology with multiculturalism and digital technology studies, providing a strategic perspective for the church in conducting contextual missions. This study also contributes to the discourse of inter-religious peace through inter-religious dialogue and inclusive social approaches.