Korean Churches By Prof. Jintae Kim, Ph.D Alliance Theological Seminary

7 Distinctives of Korean Churches Prayer mountains  Native religions. Buddhism, Taoism, Shamanism…. Prayer mountains  Native religions. Buddhism, Taoism, Shamanism…. Hierarchical Structure: Presbyterian domination; Respect for Elders  Confucian legacy. Hierarchical Structure: Presbyterian domination; Respect for Elders  Confucian legacy. Face-saving culture and Preference for indirect communication  Confucian legacy. Face-saving culture and Preference for indirect communication  Confucian legacy. Individualism (over 26 Presbyterian denominations)  US influence. Individualism (over 26 Presbyterian denominations)  US influence. Priestly Theology (Blessings; Lay-Clergy dichotomy)  Shamanism. Priestly Theology (Blessings; Lay-Clergy dichotomy)  Shamanism. Independent Spirit: Pride for 5,000 years of cultural heritage; Nevius principles. Independent Spirit: Pride for 5,000 years of cultural heritage; Nevius principles. Mission-minded: Wind of God. Mission-minded: Wind of God.

One of the Most Successful Mission Projects 1866 – Thomas, the first US missionary, martyred while smuggling Bible – Thomas, the first US missionary, martyred while smuggling Bible Underwood (Presbyterian) and Appenzeller (Methodist). Two most important US missionaries arrive at Inchon in the Easter morning with a Korean Bible translated by Soo Jung Lee in Japan Underwood (Presbyterian) and Appenzeller (Methodist). Two most important US missionaries arrive at Inchon in the Easter morning with a Korean Bible translated by Soo Jung Lee in Japan.

Unprecedented Church Growth About 40,000 churches in Korea About 40,000 churches in Korea. 1/3 of Korean population are considered to be professing Christians. 70% Presbyterians. 1/3 of Korean population are considered to be professing Christians. 70% Presbyterians. Missionary-sending nation since 1908: 9,133 as of Jan 16, 2001 (KWMA). 3 rd in the world. Over 10,000 as of 2004 (Urbana, 2004). US (about 40,000); England (about 8,000). Missionary-sending nation since 1908: 9,133 as of Jan 16, 2001 (KWMA). 3 rd in the world. Over 10,000 as of 2004 (Urbana, 2004). US (about 40,000); England (about 8,000).

4 Mission Characteristics US domination of Korean mission. US domination of Korean mission. Nevius principle (3x Self). Early Independence of Korean churches and ensuing struggle with US policy of control. The same in politics. Nevius principle (3x Self). Early Independence of Korean churches and ensuing struggle with US policy of control. The same in politics. Presbyterian domination (  Respect for elders = a Confucian legacy). 70%. Presbyterian domination (  Respect for elders = a Confucian legacy). 70%. Strong nationalism and Theological Conservatism (Fundamentalism?): Influence of Machen and his friends. Anti-Communists. Cultural conservatism. Strong nationalism and Theological Conservatism (Fundamentalism?): Influence of Machen and his friends. Anti-Communists. Cultural conservatism.

Koreans in US: Committed 1’st Generation & Able 2’nd Gen.

3737 Korean ministers are ministering outside Korea (2924 in US alone) Korean ministers are ministering outside Korea (2924 in US alone). Between ’77 and ‘97, 2,600 Korean congregations sprang up in the US. Between ’77 and ‘97, 2,600 Korean congregations sprang up in the US. 70 % of Korean immigrants in US are Christians; and about 20-40% of new unbelieving immigrants become Protestant Christians in US (ex. Samuel Kim, Jintae Kim, Hyung Moon). 70 % of Korean immigrants in US are Christians; and about 20-40% of new unbelieving immigrants become Protestant Christians in US (ex. Samuel Kim, Jintae Kim, Hyung Moon). Compared to 1 church for every 730 Americans, 1 church of every 300 Koreans in US. Compared to 1 church for every 730 Americans, 1 church of every 300 Koreans in US.

Importance of Koreans in World Evangelization Their strategic global location Their strategic global location People with missionary quality People with missionary quality Resources for mission: material, spiritual, and personal. Resources for mission: material, spiritual, and personal.

Their Strategic Global Location Powerful Diaspora: Over 6 Million residing in 171 nations. Powerful Diaspora: Over 6 Million residing in 171 nations. 800,000 and more Koreans in 4 most powerful countries: 1.5 Mil in US; 2 Mil in China; Japan; and Russia. 800,000 and more Koreans in 4 most powerful countries: 1.5 Mil in US; 2 Mil in China; Japan; and Russia. Koreans are accepted well in 10/40 windows – Linguistic/ethnic affinity. Koreans are accepted well in 10/40 windows – Linguistic/ethnic affinity.

People with Missionary Quality Pursuit for academic excellence and Preference for the brand-name schools/merchandises. Pursuit for academic excellence and Preference for the brand-name schools/merchandises. Resilience  history of suffering. Invasion by Chinese and Japanese, Korean war…. Resilience  history of suffering. Invasion by Chinese and Japanese, Korean war….

People with Missionary Quality - continued Survival mentality: They adapt well to a new culture; thus, live well and prosperous in any situations or circumstances. Survival mentality: They adapt well to a new culture; thus, live well and prosperous in any situations or circumstances. They are highly entrepreneurial and have pioneering spirit. Concerning the percentage of self-employed, no other ethnic group surpassed Koreans in US. They are highly entrepreneurial and have pioneering spirit. Concerning the percentage of self-employed, no other ethnic group surpassed Koreans in US.

Resource for Mission (Material) The most explosive economic growth in the shortest period in history. The miracle of the Han river came together with the explosive growth of churches. The most explosive economic growth in the shortest period in history. The miracle of the Han river came together with the explosive growth of churches. Highest utilization of communication mode such as cell phone and internet. Highest utilization of communication mode such as cell phone and internet.

Spiritual Resources for Mission Koreans are praying people. No other ethnic group or nation can come even close to Koreans. Koreans are praying people. No other ethnic group or nation can come even close to Koreans. Early morning prayer is ubiquitous, either in Korea or outside Korea. Early morning prayer is ubiquitous, either in Korea or outside Korea. Prayer mountain is also ubiquitous (  Possible connection with native religions that see Mountains as holy places. Buddhist temples. Mountain spirits….). Prayer mountain is also ubiquitous (  Possible connection with native religions that see Mountains as holy places. Buddhist temples. Mountain spirits….).

Personnel Resources for Mission Koreans are one of the most mission-minded Christians in the world. Koreans are one of the most mission-minded Christians in the world. Rapid Increase: 1,650 in 1990  9,133 as of Jan 16, 2001 (KWMA) – Total Asian Protestant Missionaries 13,607 in 2000 OW 6’th ed, 2001). Rapid Increase: 1,650 in 1990  9,133 as of Jan 16, 2001 (KWMA) – Total Asian Protestant Missionaries 13,607 in 2000 OW 6’th ed, 2001). The Onnuri church– 2000 missionaries by 2010 as its vision (bigger than the C&MA as a whole). Its current membership 30,000 plus with 30 Mil Dollar annual budget. The Onnuri church– 2000 missionaries by 2010 as its vision (bigger than the C&MA as a whole). Its current membership 30,000 plus with 30 Mil Dollar annual budget.

What do these mean? Koreans are strategically located in and sincerely committed to the world evangelization. Koreans are strategically located in and sincerely committed to the world evangelization. Koreans are equipped with resources for mission such as man-power, money, and prayer. Koreans are equipped with resources for mission such as man-power, money, and prayer. What they are still lacking is infrastructure of mission, which the C&MA has. What they are still lacking is infrastructure of mission, which the C&MA has.

Divine Plan of God for Koreans Koreans have special calling to assume a leading role in world evangelization. Koreans have special calling to assume a leading role in world evangelization. But, they have to do it in cooperation with those who have built-in infrastructure for mission. But, they have to do it in cooperation with those who have built-in infrastructure for mission. Western countries will need to adopt a radical paradigm shift in their mission policy and seminary education that are relevant to the new era. Western countries will need to adopt a radical paradigm shift in their mission policy and seminary education that are relevant to the new era.

The role of the C&MA and ATS Provide infrastructure of mission. Provide infrastructure of mission. Educate Simpson’s irregulars in a manner relevant to today’s mission field. Samuel was 41 years old when he came to ATS. ATS is here to train effective ministers and missionaries, not critical scholars. Educate Simpson’s irregulars in a manner relevant to today’s mission field. Samuel was 41 years old when he came to ATS. ATS is here to train effective ministers and missionaries, not critical scholars. Train Korean missionaries in Korea. Train Korean missionaries in Korea.