The Role of Gospel Music in Enhancing Congregational Participation and Spiritual Experience at Gereja Gerakan Pentakosta Batu Karang Sejati Bitung

Authors

  • Josua Natanael Sumigar Program Studi Pendidikan Seni Drama, Tari, dan Musik, Fakultas Bahasa dan Seni, Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano 95618, Indonesia
  • Glenie Latuni Program Studi Pendidikan Seni Drama, Tari, dan Musik, Fakultas Bahasa dan Seni, Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano 95618, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9233-8194
  • R. A. Dinar Sri Hartati Program Studi Pendidikan Seni Drama, Tari, dan Musik, Fakultas Bahasa dan Seni, Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano 95618, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0664-9810

Keywords:

Gospel music, Congregational participation, Spiritual experience, Pentecostal worship, Church music

Abstract

This study examines the role of gospel music arrangements in enhancing congregational participation and spiritual experiences during Pentecostal worship at Gereja Gerakan Pentakosta Batu Karang Sejati Bitung, North Sulawesi. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach to explore congregants’ experiences, perceptions, behaviors, and responses to gospel music in a natural worship context. Data were collected through observations, semi-structured interviews with 20 congregants and the church pastor, and documentation of worship activities. The data were analyzed through data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings indicate that gospel arrangements positively influenced the worship atmosphere and congregational participation. Although the songs and lyrics remained unchanged, modifications in rhythm, tempo, harmony, dynamics, vocal expression, and musical interaction created a livelier, warmer, and more expressive worship environment. Congregants demonstrated increased participation through active singing, clapping, hand raising, bodily movement, and responses to worship leaders. Younger congregants showed particularly positive responses, perceiving gospel music as energetic, creative, and relevant to their musical preferences. Gospel music also supported emotional and spiritual experiences, including greater enthusiasm, joy, peace, attentiveness, personal reflection, and feelings of closeness to God. However, respondents emphasized that music functions as a supporting medium rather than the sole determinant of spiritual experience, which remains influenced by personal faith and spiritual readiness. The study concludes that gospel music can function as an affective, participatory, social, and spiritual resource in Pentecostal worship when implemented with appropriate musical competence, coordination, expressive performance, and spiritual orientation.

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Published

2026-11-02

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2026)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Josua Natanael Sumigar, Glenie Latuni, R. A. Dinar Sri Hartati

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