Prepare Couples for Pre-Marriage, WVI and PGI Launch Pre-Marriage Catechism Booklet
The family as the smallest institution in society has an important role in building a civilized and prosperous society. From families that are God-fearing, healthy, loving, well-organized, and prosperous, empowered individuals will be born; superior Human Resources (HR) who contribute to the progress and sustainability of the nation. Ideal expectations are often faced with problems in the family or household. Of course, no family is free from problems. But not a few families also find it difficult to manage the problem wisely and appropriately. Family problems or conflicts, some of which lead to divorce, are increasing in society, including church members themselves.
Realizing the importance of preparing an intact family, on July 24, 2023 at the PGI Jalan Salemba Jakarta, guided by Rev. Lenta Simbolon as moderator and one of the authors of the book conducted hybrid onsite and online, WVI and PGI collaborated to launch a pre-marital catechism book as an effort to equip prospective brides and grooms to be able to prepare families who understand and practice family wholeness holistically, in legal, social and cultural aspects, parenting, economics, health and spirituality. Mrs. Angela Theodora, National Director, Wahana Visi Indonesia, who gave the opening remarks, said that WVI supports families who grow up caring for children by fulfilling their needs holistically (physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually) including strengthening the immediate environment around the child including religious leaders and church leaders. Meanwhile, Rev. Jimmy Sormin as one of the authors and also the editor of the book stated that, "Many family conflict variables are influenced by economic, health, legal and other aspects. This pre-marital catechization reminds the importance of being critical and realistic to carry out systematic marriage preparation processes, to also carry out joint control,".
Various challenges in the local and global context also affect family life. Therefore, a Christian marriage needs to be well prepared through holistic premarital formation or catechization; addressing issues of health, economy, culture, education, family parenting, and other relevant issues. The second edition of the Catechization Book compiled by the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) in collaboration with Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) is the second edition of the premarital catechization guidance supplement, after previously being compiled in 2019 by the PGI in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Health. This book was compiled and developed with the aim of supporting churches in their guidance of prospective couples so that more harmonious and prosperous Christian families are built.
"Family is the smallest circle in a community. The life or collapse of the state and the church is determined by the resilience of a family. It is through the family that life is built through responsible stewardship. In the family structure, the social and cultural position of the family needs to contribute to human development. Children raised by a family must also be nurtured in an environment free from all forms of violence, and parents are able to practice the nurturing of children's spirituality through positive parenting, through positive discipline and not using violent punishment," said Dr. Anil Dawan.
Meanwhile, Rev. Jacky Manuputy, the General Secretary of PGI, emphasized the importance of institutionalizing personal anxiety about the reality of the rampant destruction of families into important data to make the pre-marital catechization book an important and urgent need to prepare families. "We need to encourage the church's response to build a family-based spirituality because times are also changing, the implication is that the family is also changing in its dynamics. So this pre-marriage catechism book must be an open document so that it includes related materials to answer the challenges of the changing era," he said. In the end, the launching of this book was closed in a common desire to continue to equip and prepare pre-marital couples to have the understanding, knowledge and skills that support this desire.
