EFEKTIVITAS PENDEKATAN PEMURIDAN DALAM MENANAMKAN TEOLOGI PELAYANAN KRISTOSENTRIS PADA PEMUDA GMIM SYALOM LELEMA

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the discipleship approach in cultivating Christ-centered ministry theology among the youth of GMIM Syalom Lelema. The research is grounded in the observation that many young people are active in church programs yet lack a deep theological understanding of ministry rooted in the person and work of Christ. Using a descriptive qualitative method, data were collected through observations, interviews, and document analysis to explore the experiences, perceptions, and spiritual development of youth engaged in the discipleship process. The findings indicate that the biweekly discipleship meetings positively impact participants who attend consistently, particularly in strengthening their theological understanding, transforming their ministry motivation, and fostering spiritual character formation. However, its overall effectiveness remains limited due to low participation levels and irregular engagement across the broader youth community. Thus, discipleship is considered effective qualitatively for committed participants but not yet effective quantitatively for the entire youth population. This study affirms the essential role of discipleship as a theological and pastoral framework for shaping mature young believers who serve Christ-centeredly. The research implies the need for the church to enhance the structure, frequency, and inclusiveness of its discipleship programs to ensure broader and more transformative impact.