THEOLOGY & TRANSFORMASI SOSIAL SPIRITUALITAS DAN PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT

Abstract

This article argues that mechanism of decision making for the Javanese people in rural areas are still dominated mainly by a little group of leaders, without any participation of members of society at large. This happens because of some cultural barriers rooted in the principle of harmony and honor. Misuse of these two cultural heritages could lead local leaders exercising their leadership arbitrarily. In order to avoid this danger, local leaders need to equip themselves with certain spirituality; spirituality that can guard them from being authoritarian, on the one hand, and at the same time it can provoke members of society at large to actively participate in the decision making. Theologically and culturally, it is argued that “spirituality of pamomong” (spirituality of a servant) will suit this need.