Abstract of title: "Theological Review of Worship in Supporting the Implementation of Missions in The Beth-el Tabernacle Church in the Toraja area" by Yonatan Sumarto

ABSTRACT

Yonatan Sumarto, Theological Review of Worship in Supporting the Implementation of Missions in The Beth-el Tabernacle Church in  the Toraja area. (Supervised by Rev. Dr. Ivan Th. J. Weismann, M.Hum).

In accordance with the existing problems, the purpose and benefits of this research are: (a) to search for the factors that cause the dissolution of the relationship between worship and mission of the church members in the midst of society; (b) to find the concrete form of worship as a base of missions for the church members, that is to have the worship service as worship to the Lord God as well as an examination of lay missionary action; and (c) to give a new mindset to the churches in fulfilling its mission to empower people in the church to be able to witness and serve in the community.

Along with the problem and the purpose of writing this dissertation, the author conducted research with data collection performed by the methods of analysis, observation and interviews along with the study of scholarly texts in the library.

The conclusion of this study confirms that worship was the most strategic place for citizen empowerment activities of the church. As a testing ground for the missionary action then worship was the basis for the transformation of ecclesiology and missiology involving all members of the congregation as a principal mission. More than that, worship should be seen also as a base, to formulate strategies and approaches to theology, missiology, ecclesiology and ethics. For there theologians met with people in the church who had just come from the field of theology. Theological colleges are supposed to function as an institution that prepare theological facilitators to be capable of empowering the congregation to learn theology.

The concrete form of the worship service as worship to the LORD God as well as testing the missionary action of the Church is to make community residents objects and subjects of preaching. That means that the atmosphere of the worship service is participatory and collaborative. The atmosphere of dialogue and discussion in worship is the process of awakening to the reality of God's word as a benchmark. Reality means the reality of everyday life, either for themselves as members of the congregation concerned, as well as the world and the surrounding environment. It requires “reflection and action” as part of worship. Worship generates action, whereas reflection is to examine the actions that have been carried out. The function of preaching is to produce a mutual concern the congregation has for each other, as foreseen by Jehovah God through His Word. This concern is a rough draft or plan or temporary program or even signs of what should be done by the church in order to fulfill their mission. This rough plan of ideas is to change or improve the reality that is faced to be more commensurate with the will of the LORD God through His Word. The rough plan was then discussed or dialogued by the congregation. Furthermore, the church planned together a group action, and each member of the group organized and executed that plan, while controling and evaluating them through worship services.

Key Words: Worship, missions, implementation of mission, The Church Of Beth-el Tabernakel