EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE MODES OF RELIGIOUS MASS GATHERING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND POST-PANDEMIC

• Main Author: Ghea, Yolanda
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/79204
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The Covid-19 pandemic completely changed almost all religious mass gatherings in their use of worship space worldwide. However, at how religious mass gatherings (onsite, online or hybrid gatherings) should be conducted after the pandemic is still debatable in terms of its effectiveness in facilitating the congregation’s spiritual growth and community development. Therefore, these alternative modes of such mass gatherings are needed to be studied further. How congregations reacted to each worship space was measured by their psychological attachment to each space. Hence, to gain the depth of their attachment, this research was conducted using a phenomenological qualitative approach to understand the congregations’ mechanism of decision for the worship space they used. The data analysis in this research was using interpretive phenomenology analysis (IPA) with Benner’s perspective, considering the sensitivity and sensibility of the issue being investigated. The analytical method was directed at finding patterns of thoughts from the informants upon managing the worship space during three eras: before the pandemic, during the pandemic and the post-pandemic periods. Three informants chosen by purposive sampling were recruited to get insight from the main actors in the organizations targeted. To gain reliable data, the interviews results would be supported by relevant historical documents. From the data collection and analysis, it was found that the collective effervescence experienced by the congregations does differ in each space where the mass gathering was being held; online space is perceived more negatively than onsite space. Hence, it could be concluded that onsite services could not be replaced by online or hybrid services for the time being, especially for Indonesia with high level of collectivism. There are several strategies emerging to make an effective religious mass gathering and make the organization survive in the disruptive era. First is to simplify the goals and structural systems. Second is to utilize the prayer space. Third is to make sure that the religious organization stays on the root for spiritual formation. It is also noted that the organization needs to be active on finding a creative and effective solution to help congregations enhance their spiritual health and wellbeing, so it could form a symbiotic effect between the organization and the congregations as well. The result of this research might be applicable for similar types of organizations, which are Christians churches, whose adherents are the second largest in Indonesia. Especially since it concerns the management of leading a large number of people (in thousands), this study hopes to give insight into larger-scale solutions, especially since mass gathering practices are also linked to the government’s policy and a wider society’s interest.