An Ecclesiological Analysis of the Effectiveness of Pastoral Visitation in Promoting the Qualitative Growth of the Congregation
Abstract
Church growth is often viewed only from a quantitative aspect; however, the true success of ministry lies in the spiritual quality of the congregation, which is influenced by the active role of the pastor. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of pastoral visitation as a supporting factor for church growth amid changing times that demand an increase in the quality of shepherding ministry. Using a qualitative approach with the library research method, grounded in Rawambaku’s theoretical framework and supported by phenomenological observation, this research explores literature related to the interaction between pastor and congregation. The findings show that the effectiveness of visitation is determined by the pastor’s integrity and attitude of service, which include a servant’s heart, love, and exemplary character in embracing the spiritual needs of the congregation. Through regular visitation, pastors can understand the real condition of the congregation, provide relevant motivation, and restore relationships that directly impact the improvement of both the quality of faith and the quantity of church members. It is concluded that pastoral visitation is an effective strategy to stimulate church growth because it fosters personal spiritual maturity and ensures that every soul is nurtured according to the truth of God’s Word.
References
Angkouw, Semuel Rudy, and Simon Simon. 2021. “Efisiensi Kepemimpinan Gembala Sidang Bagi Pertumbuhan Gereja.” DIDASKO: Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Kristen 1 (1): 53–63. https://doi.org/10.52879/didasko.v1i1.8.
Bons-Storm, M. 2008. Apakah Penggembalaan Itu? Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia.
Brek, Yohan, Cristhania, Gladys Masoara, and Rhea Salsa Natalia Susmantoyo. 2025. “STRATEGI PASTORALSEBAGAI UPAYA UNTUK PENDEWASAAN IMAN DI GMIST JEMAAT WORI.” HOSPITALITAS: Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat 2 (1): 20–26. https://doi.org/10.70420/hospitalitas.v2i1.107.
Frederik, Hanny. 2020. “Prinsip-Prinsip Kepemimpinan Penggembalaan Berdasarkan Yohanes 10:1-21 dan Implementasinya dalam Kepemimpinan Gereja.” Jurnal Ilmu Teologi dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen 1 (2): 69. https://doi.org/10.25278/jitpk.v1i2.487.
Gagola, Patricia Gebriela, and Yohan Brek. 2024. “PENDAMPINGAN PASTORAL KONSELING PADA PELAYAN GEREJA DALAM MENGATASI BURNOUT.” TENTIRO: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Kesehatan 1 (2): 56–65. https://doi.org/10.70420/tentiro.v1i2.100.
Gibbs, Eddie. 2010. Kepemimpinan Gereja Masa Mendatang. BPK Gunung Mulia.
GP, Harianto GP, Th M. 2021. Teologi Pastoral: Pastoral sebagai Strategi Penggembalaan untuk Menuju Gereja yang Sehat dan Bertumbuh. PBMR Andi.
Helyanan, Blasius, Agrendi Mangali, and Gita Maria Oktasari. 2024. “Pastoral Konseling Sebagai Strategi Misi dalam Pengembangan Spiritual Jemaat GERMITA Pintu Elok Lahu.” THEOSEBIA: Journal of Theology, Christian Religious Education and Psychospiritual 1 (2): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.70420/theosebia.v1i2.52.
Ibrahim, Ibrahim, Yohanes Subianto Saputra, and Sardi Samjar. 2024. “Kajian Teologis Pelayanan Pastoral Berdasarkan Yohanes 21:15-17 Serta Implikasinya Dalam Penggembalaan Gereja Masa Kini.” EULOGIA: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristiani 4 (2): 263–77. https://doi.org/10.62738/ej.v4i2.85.
Ina, Adelia Tamo, and Yeremia Hia. 2025. “Pembinaan Jemaat Sebagai Wujud Peran Gembala Dalam Membangun Kedewasaan Rohani.” Jurnal Budi Pekerti Agama Kristen Dan Katolik 3 (2): 91–112. https://doi.org/10.61132/jbpakk.v3i2.1190.
Kalolik, Parabinos, Amardius Bawan, and Rita Susana Matasak. 2024. “PENGARUH KUNJUNGAN PASTORAL TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN ROHANI JEMAAT GKII YERUSALEM BAMBISIK.” COMMUNITY : Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat 4 (1): 71–78. https://doi.org/10.51878/community.v4i1.3196.
Messakh, Besly JT. 2018. “Menuju Pelayanan Pastoral Yang Relevan Dan Kontekstual.” Theologia in Loco 1 (1).
Mewo, Mathew, Stansya Simon, Tamariska Tani, Tesalonika Pangkey, and Natan Tene. 2024. “Penerapan Pastoral Konseling Terhadap Perkembangan Rohani Bagi Jemaat Di GMIM Martin Luther Warembungan.” ATOHEMA: Jurnal Teologi Pastoral Konseling 1 (4): 15–27. https://doi.org/10.70420/g8yav853.
Pada, Ellyazer. 2023. “PERANAN PEMIMPIN DALAM PENGELOLAAN GEREJA DAN PERTUMBUHAN ROHANI DI GPIB GIBEON JAKARTA SELATAN.” Jurnal Teologi Dikaiosune 1 (1): 30–42.
Pangihutan, Erwin Bona, and Pardomuan Munthe. 2025. “GEMBALA YANG BAIK (SUATU TINJAUAN DOGMATIS TENTANG TELADAN KRISTUS DALAM PELAYANAN PENGGEMBALAAN SERTA IMPLIKASINYA BAGI PELAYANAN GEREJA DI GKPA DISKI).” Jurnal Pendidikan Inovatif 7 (3). https://journalversa.com/s/index.php/jpi/article/view/1437.
Panjaitan, Pernando, Hery Simanjuntak, Gabriel Evandio Hutabarat, Selfianus Pahabol, and Liyus Waruwu. 2025. “MENGENAL KEGIATAN-KEGIATAN SPIRITUAL PASTORAL DI GEREJA PENTAKOSTA TARUTUNG.” Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial Dan Humaniora 4 (1): 2277–98.
Rawambaku, Hendrik. 2015. Metodologi Penelitian Pendidikan. Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia.
Rawung, Tommy, Yoas Tanugraha, and Arimurti Kriswibowo. 2025. “Kepemimpinan Transformatif Yesus Kristus: Tinjauan Teologis dan Eklesiologis.” Jurnal Teologi Pambelum 4 (2): 96–106. https://doi.org/10.59002/jtp.v4i2.73.
Sembiring, Jesica Cindini Br, and Intansakti Pius X. 2024. “Bentuk Dan Tujuan Dalam Pelayanan Kunjungan Pastoral.” Tri Tunggal: Jurnal Pendidikan Kristen Dan Katolik 2 (3): 126–35. https://doi.org/10.61132/tritunggal.v2i3.415.
Simanjuntak, Joksan, and Roy Haries Ifraldo Tambun. 2024. “Merangkul Kembali Yang Terasing: Strategi Praktis Gereja Dalam Memanggil Kembali Jemaat Yang Jarang Beribadah.” Jurnal Teologi Dan Pelayanan Kerusso 9 (2): 194–208. https://doi.org/10.33856/kerusso.v9i2.415.
Suawa, Injilia J, and Linda P Ratag. 2024. Misi Kehambaan Kristus Dalam Kinerja Pelayan Khusus. 2024.
Sudjarwo, Daniel Martin, Sutikto Sutikto, and Oral Oko. 2024. “STUDI DESKRIPTIF TENTANG DAMPAK KUNJUNGAN PASTORAL TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN GEREJA.” SESAWI: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristen 5 (2): 336–51. https://doi.org/10.53687/sjtpk.v5i2.270.
Telaumbanua, Arozatulo. 2019. “Peran Gembala Sidang Sebagai Pendidik Dalam Pertumbuhan Rohani Jemaat.” Fidei: Jurnal Teologi Sistematika dan Praktika 2 (2): 362–87. https://doi.org/10.34081/fidei.v2i2.45.
Tuai, Pdt Dr Ajan Tuai. 2025. Jalan Pertumbuhan Jemaat melalui Perkunjungan, Konseling, Mimbar, dan Penginjilan. Detak Pustaka.
Wong, Fingfing Keren Grace, and Yanto Paulus Hermanto. 2025. “Penerapan Metode Kateketika sebagai Strategi untuk Memotivasi Peningkatan Kunjungan Pastoral oleh Pengerja Gereja.” Missio Ecclesiae 14 (1): 31–43. https://doi.org/10.52157/me.v14i1.313.
Yelicia, Yelicia, and Krido Siswanto. 2022. “Strategi Pelayanan Pastoral Sebagai Upaya Pertumbuhan Rohani Jemaat Di GKII Jemaat Bukit Moria Kasongan.” Danum Pambelum: Jurnal Teologi Dan Musik Gereja 2 (2): 126–42. https://doi.org/10.54170/dp.v2i2.124.
Copyright (c) 2025 Manna Y. Sanderan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a 