WhatsApp Group Sebagai Ruang Percakapan Pastoral di Masa Pandemi Covid-19

This study discussed pastoral activities during the Covid-19 pandemic through WhatsApp group as pastoral space. It investigated group-based communication in WhatsApp based on a survey toward the Catholic Family Ministry in the Diocese of Malang. The result was that the conversations in the WhatsApp group in form of reflections, shared links, inspiration, prayers, and information showed that the ecclesiastical community has the courage to be present and involved in human life today. Conversations in WhatsApp groups taught and shared Christian values that opposed to individualism, consumerism, and hedonism, as well as to be a space to proclaim the values of Christian life, namely: love, care, fellowship, justice, peace, solidarity, sharing and living hopefully to God the source of life.Abstrak. Penelitian ini mendiskusikan aktivitas pastoral selama masa pandemi Covid-19 yang menggunakan WhatsApp group sebagai ruang pastoral. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode survey. Studi ini mensurvey percakapan yang terjadi di Whatsapp group komunitas Catholic Family Ministry Keuskupan Malang. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa percakapan dalam WhatsApp group berupa renungan, share link, inspirasi, doa, dan informasi menunjukkan bahwa komunitas gerejawi berani hadir dan terlibat dalam hidup manusia pada masa kini. Percakapan dalam WhatsApp group menampilkan nilai Kristiani yang melawan individualisme, konsumerisme dan hedonism di ruang digital, dan sebaliknya, menjadi ruang menyuarakan nilai-nilai kehidupan Kristiani, yaitu: cinta kasih, perhatian, persekutuan, keadilan, perdamaian, solidaritas, berbagi serta hidup penuh pengharapan kepada Allah Sang Sumber Hidup.

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT BASED ON BUCKLEY'S FUZZY AHP AND SWOT: EXAMPLE OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE MISSIONARIES OF THE SACRED HEART

Strategic priorities are commonly implemented by both profit and non-profit institutions, but rarely employed by religious congregations. The congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), an institution in the Catholic Church, has undertaken an empirical study, using a combination of SWOT and fuzzy-Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodologies. Four strategies were employed. First, the strategy S-O (30.1%), aimed at intensifying and improving our human resources in order to enrich the lives of all our members. Second, we adopted the strategy S-T (25.8%) that focused on our Sacred Heart Spirituality to empower the fraternal community. Third, we adopted the strategy W-T (24.1%) that aimed at strengthening the Sacred Heart Spirituality throughout the entire MSC family. Finally, we used the strategy W-O (20.1%) in order to strengthen networking in the congregation while also revitalizing family ministry. A sensitivity analysis confirmed the SO alternative as the main strategy. Internally, the congregation is quite strong but more needs to be done to deepen the Sacred Heart Spirituality among all our members. The researchers recommend conducting further study of the congregation about how they perceive the MSC pastoral ministry and understand the vision.

The Changing Nature of Ministry amongst Children and Families in the UK during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Empirical data was gathered from parents, grandparents, and practitioners, which revealed the impact of Covid-19 on UK children and family ministry. Prevailing restrictions and associated needs caused significant change in the nature of this ministry, and may not be temporary. Key observations were reduction in engagement of families with the church, shift in the volunteer structure for church-based children’s activities, increased focus on family faith formation activities, and diversified individual faith journeys of children.

The implementation of the Act on supporting the family and foster care system in the scope of adjusting educational institutions to new standards

In accordance with the Act on supporting the family and the foster care system, up to 14 children may be placed in the educational care facility at the same time. The facilities that opened before 2012 and were able to offer 30 places to their pupils until then, were given an 9-year transition period to adjust to the new requirements. The deadline for adjusting to these transformations expires on January 1, 2021. What seems significant is the question of what the process of adaptation to these changes looks like in the facilities that have not met these requirements yet, especially in the current situation of coronavirus pandemic, which significantly impedes any activities. Legal regulations, statistical data were analysed, and articles regarding the institutional care transformation published on websites were reviewed. It turns out that many local authorities have left to carry out organizational changes to adjust to new standards at the last moment, while the family ministry does not plan to extend the transition period which is due to expire in December this year.

A Synthesis of Academic Research related to Church-based Family Ministry

A body of academic research continues to grow to advance the church-based family ministry movement. There is a problem, however. The majority of the content produced by scholarship has, for the most part, been inaccessible to most Christian leaders. The purpose of this article is to provide a synthesis of the research regarding church-based family ministry in a format that could benefit local church leaders in their understanding and pursuit of family ministry.

Family Ministry: Past, Present, Future

Within the family ministry movement, various philosophies, curriculum, conferences, and ministry models have been historically developed for the Christian discipleship of families. These resources and models have become an integral part of the local church’s ministry to families within the church, the home, and the community. However, as sociocultural shifts occur in our contemporary context, these changes may necessitate future reconceptualization and a critical contextualization approach to family ministry.

A importância da pastoral familiar. Ecos do Sínodo dos Bispos de 2015

Síntese: Mais do que o Sínodo de 2014, também sobre a família, o Sínodo de 2015 provocou expectativas. Mas estas se desfizeram rapidamente. Mesmo no âmbito eclesial o impacto parece ter sido menor do que o devido. Daí a razão destes “Ecos”. Ainda que tenham surgido divergências e algumas tensões no início, aos poucos elas foram diminuindo, oferecendo como maior ganho não um texto, mas um novo contexto de Igreja. Com habilidade, longe de casuísmos legalistas, foram apresentados desafios de uma pastoral familiar. Escutar, discernir, evangelizar foram três palavras-chave para reforçar a face acolhedora da Igreja, justamente para os que se sentem mais angustiados e marginalizados até pelos próprios ministros. Nem tudo foi dito, mas uma coisa ficou evidenciada: com este Sínodo, a Pastoral Familiar pode receber um novo impulso, desde que o documento seja lido com inteligência e abertura.Palavras-chave: Pastoral Familiar. Sínodo dos Bispos 2015. Descentralização. Discernimento. Acolhida.Abstract: More than the 2014 Synod, that was also about the family, the 2015 Synod created many expectations. But these quickly faded away. Even in the ecclesial area the impact seems to have been smaller than it should have been. Hence the reason for these “Echoes”. Although differences and some tension have arisen at first, they gradually dwindled and offered as its greatest gain not a text, but a new church context. With skill, far from legalistic casuistry, challenges of a familiar ministry were presented. Listen, discern, evangelize were three key words to strengthen the friendly face of the Church, precisely for those who feel more distressed and marginalized even by the ministers themselves. Not everything has been said, but one thing became evident: with this Synod, the Family Ministry can receive a new impetus, as long as the document is read with intelligence and openness.Keywords: Family Ministry. Synod of Bishops 2015. Decentralization. Discernment. Friendly.