Kohabitasi dan Krisis Formasi Karakter:

Tinjauan Etika Kristen Stanley Hauerwas dalam Konteks Jemaat GMIM

Abstract

Abstract: This study aims to examine the phenomenon of cohabitation in the GMIM Talitakum Kum Pondang congregation and formulate an ethical-theological response from the church based on Stanley Hauerwas’ Christian ethical thinking. Using a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach, data was obtained through observation and interviews with pastors, special servants, and congregations. The results of the study show that the practice of cohabitation arises due to economic factors, the search for compatibility, and changes in the moral values of the younger generation. Church ministers acknowledge cohabitation as an act that contradicts the sanctity of marriage, but respond to it through a pastoral approach full of love, dialogue, and spiritual guidance. From Hauerwas’ perspective, cohabitation reflects the weakness of character formation and the church community as a moral habitat. Implicitly, the church needs to strengthen discipleship through liturgy, premarital counseling, and communities that support the growth of faithfulness. The novelty of this research lies in the use of Hauerwas’ character ethics to interpret the phenomenon of cohabitation contextually within local congregations.

Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan menelaah fenomena kohabitasi di Jemaat GMIM Talitakum Kum Pondang serta merumuskan respons etis-teologis gereja berdasarkan pemikiran etika Kristen Stanley Hauerwas. Menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologis, data diperoleh melalui observasi dan wawancara terhadap pendeta, pelayan khusus, serta jemaat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa praktik kohabitasi muncul karena faktor ekonomi, pencarian kecocokan, dan perubahan nilai moral generasi muda. Para pelayan gereja mengakui kohabitasi sebagai tindakan yang bertentangan dengan kekudusan pernikahan, namun meresponsnya melalui pendekatan pastoral yang penuh kasih, dialog, dan pendampingan rohani. Dalam perspektif Hauerwas, kohabitasi mencerminkan lemahnya formasi karakter dan komunitas gereja sebagai habitat moral. Implikasinya, gereja perlu memperkuat pembentukan murid melalui liturgi, pembinaan pranikah, dan komunitas yang mendukung pertumbuhan kesetiaan. Kebaruan penelitian ini terletak pada penggunaan etika karakter Hauerwas untuk membaca fenomena kohabitasi secara kontekstual dalam jemaat lokal