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Abstract
Amid globalization and digitalization, many contemporary churches are shifting from Gospel-centered values toward consumerism and digital image culture. Worship services are often turned into visual and emotional entertainment, neglecting the core substance of faith. This trend raises concerns about spiritual degradation and a crisis of identity within the church as a prophetic community. This study explores the theological meaning of Jesus Christ’s simplicity and its relevance for modern church transformation. Using a library research method and thematic exegesis of biblical texts and recent theological literature, the study finds that Jesus’ simplicity is not merely a moral lifestyle but a theological act of kenosis—a rejection of worldly power, luxury, and status. The theology of simplicity offers a constructive response to the erosion of church values through reflective liturgical renewal, ministry-centered leadership reform, and recalibrated digital strategies that emphasize spiritual depth and social witness. The study recommends that churches intentionally embrace the paradigm of Jesus’ simplicity as a framework for cultivating an authentic, transformative, and contextually relevant spiritual community amid the challenges of the modern era.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Wennar, Josep Tatang

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References
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- Adlini, Miza Nina, Anisya Hanifa Dinda, Sarah Yulinda, Octavia Chotimah, and Sauda Julia Merliyana. 2022. “Metode Penelitian Kualitatif Studi Pustaka.” Edumaspul: Jurnal Pendidikan 6, no. 1: 974–80. https://doi.org/10.33487/edumaspul.v6i1.3394.
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- Barton, Falon Opsahl. 2024. “Simplicity and the Sermon on the Mount.” Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry 10, no. 1: 42–65.
- Berutu, Almarisa, Mory Nadya, Ompusunggu, Sukma Sianturi, and Mangido Nainggolan. 2024. “Menerapkan Nilai-Nilai Kristiani Dalam Kehidupan Sehari-Hari.” Jurnal Review Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran 7, no. 4: 15098–102.
- Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 2018. The Cost of Discipleship. New York: Touchstone.
- Foster, Richard J. 2018. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. San Francisco: Harper One.
- Giawa, Nasokhili. 2019. “Serving Others: Keteladanan Pelayanan Yesus Kristus Berdasarkan Yohanes 13.” Integritas: Jurnal Teologi 1, no. 1: 54–65. https://doi.org/10.47628/ijt.v1i1.9.
- Ginting, Eikel. 2022. “Keugaharian: Memaknai Konsep Kesederhanaan Dalam Ajaran Yesus Dan Ajaran Buddha Terhadap Konteks FOMO Syndrome.” Jurnal Agama Buddha Dan Ilmu Pengetahuan 8, no. 2: 126–36. https://doi.org/10.53565/abip.v8i2.672.
- Heriyanto. 2018. “Thematic Analysis Sebagai Metode Menganalisa Data Untuk Penelitian Kualitatif.” Anuva 2, no. 3: 317–24. https://doi.org/10.14710/anuva.2.3.317-324.
- Irawati, Chandra Wahyuni. 2022. “Pelayanan Musik Dalam Praktik Ibadah Gerejawi: Studi Teologi Ibadah.” Journal of Religious and Socio-Cultural 3, no. 1: 47–60.
- Keller, Timothy. 2016. Jesus the King: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God. London: Penguin Books.
- Kristanto, Billy. 2020. “Calvin Dan Potensi Pemikirannya Bagi Ibadah Kristen.” VERITAS: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pelayanan 19, no. 2: 119–33. https://doi.org/10.36421/veritas.v19i2.353.
- Kusni, Markus. 2024. “Kepemimpinan Pendeta Di Era Revolusi Industri 4.0: Tantangan Dan Peluang.” PNEUMATIKOS: Jurnal Teologi Kependetaan 15, no. 1: 30–46.
- Lestari, Vena Tri. 2022. “Keteladanan Yesus Dalam Melayani Berdasarkan Injil Yohanes 13:1-20.” The Messengers: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristen 3, no. 1: 175–87.
- Nelly, Asriani Sri Devi Hulu, and Jonar Situmorang. 2022. “Keteladanan Pelayanan Yesus Menurut Injil Matius Dan Penerapannya Oleh Guru Sekolah Minggu.” Didache: Journal of Christian Education 3, no. 2: 161–76. https://doi.org/10.46445/djce.v3i2.619.
- Nole, Otniel Aurelius, Juliantri Mayangsari Benu, Joi Niagara, Junior Ruhukail, Dylan Azarya Radja Hedo, and Samuel Delahoya. 2024. “Komunitas Virtual Dan Riil: Relasi Gereja Dan Media Sosial Di Era Digital.” Mitra Sriwijaya: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristen 5, no. 2: 146–63.
- Okoye, Kanayochukwu Michael, Ndidi Vivian Ugwu, and Christian Ikechukwu Nnadi. 2024. “Jesus’ Temptations Narrative and Its Implications for Today’S Christianity: A Theological Interpretation.” Perspectiva Teologica 56, no. 2: 493–508. https://doi.org/10.20911/21768757v56n2p493/2024.
- Pratama, Stephen, and Chairy. 2020. “Media Komunikasi Pemasaran Pada Institusi Gereja (Analisis Terhadap Peran Instagram).” Jurnal Muara Ilmu Ekonomi Dan Bisnis 4, no. 1: 137–44. https://doi.org/10.24912/jmieb.v4i1.7683.
- Rahayu, Agnes Dwi, and Intansakti Pius X. 2023. “Transformasi Media Digital Dalam Katekese Kontekstual: Studi Kasus Terhadap Pengelolaan Pelayanan Gereja-Gereja Kontemporer.” Jurnal Budi Pekerti Agama Kristen Dan Katolik 1, no. 4: 19–26.
- Rakestraw, Charity. 2020. “Seeking Souls, Selling Salvation: A History of the Modern Megachurch.” In Handbook of Megachurches, edited by Stephen Hunt, 23–42. Leiden: Koninklijke Brill NV.
- Runtuwene, Kitara, S.L.H.V. Joyce Lapian, and Merinda Pandowo. 2018. “Church Marketing: The Effect of Promotional Strategies on Church Growth in Manado.” Jurnal EMBA 6, no. 3: 1348–57.
- Sari, Sinta Kumala, and Dorkas Retjelina. 2022. “Disiplin Hidup Sederhana: Karakteristik Hamba Tuhan Pentakosta.” LOGIA: Jurnal Teologi Pentakosta 4, no. 1: 40–57.
- Self, Ray. 2022. “The Problem With the Entertaining Church.” Charisma: The Magazine About Spirit-Led Living, May 2022.
- Tarigan, Iwan Setiawan. 2021. “Eksegesis Dan Penelitian Teologis.” Jurnal Teologi Cultivation 5, no. 2: 87.
- Tua, Maruli, and Yonas Pasiran. 2024. “Isu Budaya Dalam Perkembangan Gereja.” Action Research Literate 8, no. 10: 2839–49.
- Waruwu, Elfin Warnius, and Mozes Lawalata. 2024. “Membangun Masyarakat Digital Yang Beretika: Mengintegrasikan Nilai-Nilai Kristen Di Era Teknologi Digital 5.0.” Didache: Journal of Christian Education 5, no. 1: 22–46. https://doi.org/10.46445/djce.v5i1.747.
- Wright, N. T. 2011. Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters. San Francisco, California: Harper One.
References
Aan, and Ambarwaty P.I.P Tarutu. 2024. “Media Sosial Sebagai Ruang Berteologi, Upaya Kontekstualisasi Misi Gereja Di Era Digital.” DAAT: Jurnal Teologi Kristen 5, no. 1: 68–85.
Adlini, Miza Nina, Anisya Hanifa Dinda, Sarah Yulinda, Octavia Chotimah, and Sauda Julia Merliyana. 2022. “Metode Penelitian Kualitatif Studi Pustaka.” Edumaspul: Jurnal Pendidikan 6, no. 1: 974–80. https://doi.org/10.33487/edumaspul.v6i1.3394.
Austin, Jon. 2023. “How the Church Growth Movement Has De-Churched Christians.” Reformed Journal.
Barton, Falon Opsahl. 2024. “Simplicity and the Sermon on the Mount.” Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry 10, no. 1: 42–65.
Berutu, Almarisa, Mory Nadya, Ompusunggu, Sukma Sianturi, and Mangido Nainggolan. 2024. “Menerapkan Nilai-Nilai Kristiani Dalam Kehidupan Sehari-Hari.” Jurnal Review Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran 7, no. 4: 15098–102.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 2018. The Cost of Discipleship. New York: Touchstone.
Foster, Richard J. 2018. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. San Francisco: Harper One.
Giawa, Nasokhili. 2019. “Serving Others: Keteladanan Pelayanan Yesus Kristus Berdasarkan Yohanes 13.” Integritas: Jurnal Teologi 1, no. 1: 54–65. https://doi.org/10.47628/ijt.v1i1.9.
Ginting, Eikel. 2022. “Keugaharian: Memaknai Konsep Kesederhanaan Dalam Ajaran Yesus Dan Ajaran Buddha Terhadap Konteks FOMO Syndrome.” Jurnal Agama Buddha Dan Ilmu Pengetahuan 8, no. 2: 126–36. https://doi.org/10.53565/abip.v8i2.672.
Heriyanto. 2018. “Thematic Analysis Sebagai Metode Menganalisa Data Untuk Penelitian Kualitatif.” Anuva 2, no. 3: 317–24. https://doi.org/10.14710/anuva.2.3.317-324.
Irawati, Chandra Wahyuni. 2022. “Pelayanan Musik Dalam Praktik Ibadah Gerejawi: Studi Teologi Ibadah.” Journal of Religious and Socio-Cultural 3, no. 1: 47–60.
Keller, Timothy. 2016. Jesus the King: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God. London: Penguin Books.
Kristanto, Billy. 2020. “Calvin Dan Potensi Pemikirannya Bagi Ibadah Kristen.” VERITAS: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pelayanan 19, no. 2: 119–33. https://doi.org/10.36421/veritas.v19i2.353.
Kusni, Markus. 2024. “Kepemimpinan Pendeta Di Era Revolusi Industri 4.0: Tantangan Dan Peluang.” PNEUMATIKOS: Jurnal Teologi Kependetaan 15, no. 1: 30–46.
Lestari, Vena Tri. 2022. “Keteladanan Yesus Dalam Melayani Berdasarkan Injil Yohanes 13:1-20.” The Messengers: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristen 3, no. 1: 175–87.
Nelly, Asriani Sri Devi Hulu, and Jonar Situmorang. 2022. “Keteladanan Pelayanan Yesus Menurut Injil Matius Dan Penerapannya Oleh Guru Sekolah Minggu.” Didache: Journal of Christian Education 3, no. 2: 161–76. https://doi.org/10.46445/djce.v3i2.619.
Nole, Otniel Aurelius, Juliantri Mayangsari Benu, Joi Niagara, Junior Ruhukail, Dylan Azarya Radja Hedo, and Samuel Delahoya. 2024. “Komunitas Virtual Dan Riil: Relasi Gereja Dan Media Sosial Di Era Digital.” Mitra Sriwijaya: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristen 5, no. 2: 146–63.
Okoye, Kanayochukwu Michael, Ndidi Vivian Ugwu, and Christian Ikechukwu Nnadi. 2024. “Jesus’ Temptations Narrative and Its Implications for Today’S Christianity: A Theological Interpretation.” Perspectiva Teologica 56, no. 2: 493–508. https://doi.org/10.20911/21768757v56n2p493/2024.
Pratama, Stephen, and Chairy. 2020. “Media Komunikasi Pemasaran Pada Institusi Gereja (Analisis Terhadap Peran Instagram).” Jurnal Muara Ilmu Ekonomi Dan Bisnis 4, no. 1: 137–44. https://doi.org/10.24912/jmieb.v4i1.7683.
Rahayu, Agnes Dwi, and Intansakti Pius X. 2023. “Transformasi Media Digital Dalam Katekese Kontekstual: Studi Kasus Terhadap Pengelolaan Pelayanan Gereja-Gereja Kontemporer.” Jurnal Budi Pekerti Agama Kristen Dan Katolik 1, no. 4: 19–26.
Rakestraw, Charity. 2020. “Seeking Souls, Selling Salvation: A History of the Modern Megachurch.” In Handbook of Megachurches, edited by Stephen Hunt, 23–42. Leiden: Koninklijke Brill NV.
Runtuwene, Kitara, S.L.H.V. Joyce Lapian, and Merinda Pandowo. 2018. “Church Marketing: The Effect of Promotional Strategies on Church Growth in Manado.” Jurnal EMBA 6, no. 3: 1348–57.
Sari, Sinta Kumala, and Dorkas Retjelina. 2022. “Disiplin Hidup Sederhana: Karakteristik Hamba Tuhan Pentakosta.” LOGIA: Jurnal Teologi Pentakosta 4, no. 1: 40–57.
Self, Ray. 2022. “The Problem With the Entertaining Church.” Charisma: The Magazine About Spirit-Led Living, May 2022.
Tarigan, Iwan Setiawan. 2021. “Eksegesis Dan Penelitian Teologis.” Jurnal Teologi Cultivation 5, no. 2: 87.
Tua, Maruli, and Yonas Pasiran. 2024. “Isu Budaya Dalam Perkembangan Gereja.” Action Research Literate 8, no. 10: 2839–49.
Waruwu, Elfin Warnius, and Mozes Lawalata. 2024. “Membangun Masyarakat Digital Yang Beretika: Mengintegrasikan Nilai-Nilai Kristen Di Era Teknologi Digital 5.0.” Didache: Journal of Christian Education 5, no. 1: 22–46. https://doi.org/10.46445/djce.v5i1.747.
Wright, N. T. 2011. Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters. San Francisco, California: Harper One.