Collaboration and Transformation of Church Ministers in District X Medan Aceh towards Increasing Congregation Attendance at HKBP Medan and Surrounding Areas

Abstract

This research aims to evaluate the impact of collaboration and transformation within church ministries on the rising congregational attendance at HKBP in District X, Medan Aceh. The study is grounded in the urgent need for churches to adapt to the digital era and by strengthening ministry collaboration and implementing innovative service approaches. A quantitative approach was employed using an associative analysis method. Data were collected by distributing Likert-scale questionnaires to church ministers and active congregants in the research area. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and both simple and multiple linear regression utilizing SPSS software. The study involved 120 respondents (n = 120). The multiple linear regression analysis yielded an R² value of  0,654, an F-value of 110,56 , and a significance level of p < 0.01. The findings indicate that ministry collaboration, which includes coordination among ministers and active congregational participation, has a significant and positive influence on congregational attendance (β =0,325 ). Similarly, ministry transformation realized through program innovation, the utilization of digital technology, and capacity building for ministers has a meaningful impact on the level of congregational participation (β =0,485 ). Collectively, these two independent variables contribute to an increase in congregational attendance, with ministry transformation demonstrating a more dominant influence than collaboration. This study theoretically enriches the literature on church ministry management within a quantitative framework, while providing practical recommendations for the HKBP church in District X to design ministry strategies that are contextual, collaborative, and responsive to contemporary developments.