MEMBANGUN URGENSI PEMANFAATAN SMARTPHONE DALAM PELAYANAN YANG BERBASIS TEOLOGI DIGITAL

Abstract

The rise of digital technology has significantly impacted church life, including worship practices. The use of smartphones in worship has become common, though not always positively perceived by congregants. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of smartphone use in worship and its influence on the spiritual growth of the GMIM Sion Tumaluntung congregation. Using a qualitative approach and interviews, the findings reveal that some church members view smartphones as disruptive to the sanctity of worship. However, through the lens of digital theology as proposed by Elizabeth Drescher, digital tools can foster relational and contextual expressions of faith. This study highlights the need for digital spiritual literacy so that the church can engage meaningfully in the digital era without compromising core Christian spirituality.