A Socio-Economic Empowerment-Based Christian Religious Education Model for Congregational Poverty Alleviation in GMIT Kupang City
Authors
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Yanti Secilia Giri
Indonesia
Politeknik Negeri Kupang, Kupang
Author
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Yunardi Kristian Zega
Indonesia
Politeknik Negeri Kupang, Kupang
Author
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Valencia Stelly Neno Baaf
Indonesia
Politeknik Negeri Kupang, Kupang
Author
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62282/juilmu.v4i1.1-17Keywords:
christian education, congregational poverty, evangelical christian church in timor, socio-economic empowerment, transformative educationAbstract
Poverty among church congregations is a multidimensional issue that involves not only economic limitations but also restricted access to education, human capacity development, employment opportunities, and social participation. This study aims to analyze the socio-economic conditions of congregations, examine Christian Religious Education (CRE) practices, identify socio-economic empowerment needs, and develop a contextual CRE model based on socio-economic empowerment for alleviating congregational poverty in the Evangelical Christian Church in Timor (GMIT), Kupang City Classis. This research employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive-exploratory design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation involving eight church leaders selected through purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis and validated through source and methodological triangulation. The findings reveal that congregational poverty is characterized by informal employment, unstable income, limited economic opportunities, and restricted human resource capacity, while congregations also possess social capital through fellowship, mutual assistance, and collective responsibility. CRE practices remain primarily focused on spiritual formation, whereas socio-economic empowerment has not yet been systematically integrated into congregational education. This study proposes a contextual CRE model integrating faith formation, mindset transformation, capacity development, productive economic empowerment, continuous mentoring, partnership development, and monitoring and evaluation. The study contributes theoretically by expanding the role of CRE as a transformative educational practice and practically by providing a framework for churches to develop sustainable strategies for strengthening congregational independence and poverty alleviation.
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