REMAJA PETANI: Pendampingan Pastoral Bagi Remaja yang Putus Sekolah dalam Konteks Jemaat Pedesaan Agraris

Abstract

This study aims to examine pastoral care for out-of-school adolescents who work as farmers in the context of the GMIM Zaitun Taraitak Church. Out-of-school adolescents face multidimensional problems, including spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and social issues, which are often not addressed by church pastoral services. This research is useful in providing conceptual and practical contributions to the church in developing inclusive and relevant ministry strategies for the context of rural agrarian congregations. The method used is qualitative with a case study design, involving field observations, interviews with elders, deacons, and congregants, as well as data analysis using the Miles & Huberman model. The results show that the lack of pastoral attention from the church makes out-of-school adolescents feel marginalized from the faith community, deprived of opportunities to grow in faith, and experience intellectual and emotional limitations. Analysis based on Howard Clinebell's holistic pastoral theory reveals a significant gap in ministry, particularly in the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual dimensions of adolescents. In conclusion, the church needs to develop empathetic, holistic, and contextual pastoral counseling programs, involving all components of the congregation and building cross-sector collaboration, so that out-of-school adolescents can be restored, find direction in life, and contribute positively to the church and society.