Analysis of Male Congregants’ Absenteeism in Sunday Worship at BKPN Faomasi Church - Resort IX Sibolga

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the factors contributing to male congregants’ absenteeism in Sunday worship at BKPN Faomasi Church, Resort IX Sibolga, as well as its impacts on families, church members, and church life. The background of this research is grounded in the phenomenon of low male participation, which poses challenges to spiritual development, family harmony, and faith modeling. This study employs a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach according to Creswell, utilizing observations, interviews, and documentation involving 12 informants: 5 male congregants, 1 pastor, 1 church teacher, 3 female congregants, and 2 youth members. The results indicate that the causes of absenteeism are divided into internal and external factors. Internal factors include fatigue from work, economic limitations, laziness, family problems, and negative habits such as consuming palm wine, gambling, karaoke, and cockfighting on Saturday nights. External factors include pastoral leadership and church officers perceived as misaligned with sermons, monotonous worship routines, inadequate church facilities, and an unsupportive social environment. These conditions result in spiritual imbalance, the loss of spiritual role models within the family, and reduced household harmony. This study is beneficial for providing recommendations to the church on conducting spiritual guidance, implementing more personalized pastoral care, renewing worship procedures, improving facilities, and involving male congregants in church activities to enhance their motivation and participation in worship.