Original Research: Historical Thought and Source Interpretation

Pandemic ecclesiology: Church re-actualisation during the pandemic

Gernaida K.R. Pakpahan, Fibry J. Nugroho, Priskila I. Benyamin, Frans Pantan, Wiryohadi Wiryohadi
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 78, No 4 | a7201 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v78i4.7201 | © 2022 Gernaida K.R. Pakpahan, Fibry J. Nugroho, Priskila I. Benyamin, Frans Pantan, Wiryohadi Wiryohadi | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 22 October 2021 | Published: 16 March 2022

About the author(s)

Gernaida K.R. Pakpahan, Department of Theology, Faculty of Theology, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
Fibry J. Nugroho, Department of Theology, Faculty of Theology, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Sangkakala, Salatiga, Indonesia
Priskila I. Benyamin, Department of Research and Evaluation Education, Faculty of Research and Evaluation Education, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
Frans Pantan, Department of Christian Education, Faculty of Christian Education, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
Wiryohadi Wiryohadi, Department of Pastoral Counseling, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought significant changes to the life of the Christian church in Indonesia. Such changes can degrade the essence of the fellowship of believers. The reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, which became the church’s starting point, has triggered a change in the pattern of carrying out its duties and services to the people and their environment. The church can adapt and transform its ministry innovations as a living organisation. The church needs to reinterpret the effectiveness of its presence through adapting new service patterns, namely onsite services to virtual services or hybrid services, to remain relevant to every dimension of rapid change in all aspects. This research study analyses the actualisation of church ecclesiology in the midst and after the pandemic. Using descriptive qualitative methods with interactive data analysis from Miles and Huberman, the following points have been found: (1) virtual ministry as a church reality, (2) a pneumatic encounter spirituality characterises the church, (3) ecclesiology in the context of universal communion and (4) the sacrament as a means of manifesting divine power.

Contribution: This study provides the concept of collaboration between ecclesiology as a principle and technology as a method. Ecclesiology and technology can realise the ministry of church unity. Collaboration between principles and methods in the church will build a flexible church in all conditions. However, the principles and duties of the church vocation are not neglected.


Keywords

communion; sacrament; pneumatic; virtual; technology; ministry

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