Klasis Dalam Krisis: Tinjauan Eklesiologis Terhadap Aturan Mengenai Klasis Dalam Tata Gereja Masehi Injili Di Timor Tahun 1999

The Church’s self-understanding will help the church to organize herself optimally. The understanding cannot be separated from the Trinity. Therefore, this paper uses the communion approach proposed by John D. Zizoulas to understand the Trinitarian nature of the church. The Trinity is three persons who life in communion, based on equality and respect for differences. As the Trinity’s creation, church life and ministry are based on equal relations and respect for diversity. A creation of the Trinity, the Church is a complementary communion of the equals, that respects diversity. In this understanding, GMIT will be more aware of her true nature. GMIT is obligated to build communion not only in herself but also direct that communion outward. In other words, GMIT is by nature a missionary Church. Equality and respect for diversity are the spirit of GMIT as a missionary Church. As a missionary church, GMIT is also called by the triune God to live and serve in East Nusa Tenggara. The contexts of povery and religious plurality in East Nusa Tenggara are the challenges that GMIT needs to addres in her ministry. In addressing such challenges, GMIT needs direct all of her life, including her structure. GMIT also needs to preserve her identity while answering those challenges. Klasis in GMIT as an integral part of the church structure, enables GMIT to carry out her mission by preserving her identity faithful to the nature of GMIT as a communion inspired by equality and respect for diversity.