Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wondobern]

I am an American missionary in Korea, and am starting an English speaking church in Yang Jae Dong (exact location: 324-1 YangJae 2 Dong, SeoChoGu).

I have been here for two months, and am interested in any suggestions as to how I might effectively serve English speaking people in Korea.

I understand that some people on Dave's have a negative outlook towards Christianity and/or religion in general.

However, this thread is not intended to discuss the postives and negatives of Christianity. Nor am I trying to proselytize.

Maintly, I am sincerely interested in your suggestions for an English speaking church in Korea, as to how we might best serve the English speaking community of Korea!

(currently we are worshipping around 25 people on a Sunday, mostly Koreans, but also Fin, German, Canadian, Indian. I serve alongside a Korean speaking church, with a native-Korean, whom I met while we were studying for our PhD's together in the States at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. I am an ordained pastor with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and have mostly served inner-city African-American churches in the past -- so this is all new to me!!!)

Thanks for your any input you might have! And you're more than welcome to check out my church--Bethel International Church! (right now Sunday worship is at 2:00 p.m., and we have Bible studies going on all during the week (Thu eves. for advanced English speakers, as well as daily Dawn prayer services at 6:00 a.m.)

[OiGirl]

Are you targeting native English speakers, second-language speakers, or Koreans interested in English? It makes a big difference.

[Cohiba]

I think people avoid church like the plague because it is so boring.
I mean, I would rather have a tooth pulled than waste my Sunday
going to church where I'd sing boring songs and listen to boring stories.

How about a church where naked chicks dance around in G-Strings?
And busty Asian chicks mingle with the parishioners and pass out free
drugs while touching themselves and each other?

And ditch the hymn crap and get some serious tunes going, like Kid Rock
or White Stripes.

Now you're talking religion buddy!

[wondobern]

Regarding the target audience. That's a good point! I was told that my main target would be native speakers and/or Koreans who were proficient in English when I first agreed to this call.

However, I seem to have alot of Koreans who are coming to my Bible studies and services, who attend, primarily because they want to learn more English!

I've broken down some of the bible studies to different levels of English, but as the church grows, I'm not sure if this will continue in the long run (

[OiGirl]

I recently started worshipping with a migrant congregation. I was really tired of attending a Korean church where I was pressed into teaching English when I really wanted to worship and praise.

[wondobern]

I understand completely your frustration! It's important to establish the target of the church, lest I get bogged down more and more with teaching "free" English lessons, under the guise of being a pastor!

The immediate neighborhood isn't exactly teaming with foreigners, but word has been spreading...so, we're starting to get more proficient English speakers. .

Right now I have alot of overlap with the Korean speaking church, as to my role -- I'm in charge of the Sunday School (bi-lingual), and so far have preached one time with Pastor Kim translating at their services. We're in the "baby" stage right now, so maybe things will change as we "grow up". But, alot of times I feel my time is being absorbed by the Korean speaking members, who want me to teach them English and/or their children!

Also, I'm used to doing alot more work with the youth in my experience in inner-city America (after school programs, sports, choir, dance, etc.), where the kids literally "live at church" during the week as a safe-haven in the city. They also have an important part in the church services -- choir, soloists, ushers, readers, etc. whereas here in Korea, the kids are no where to be seen during the week, and most don't even attend worship, but just attend Sunday School. I appreciate the passion of the Korean Christians here, but I miss alot of the "family-like" atmosphere of the churches I have served back in the States, with the interaction of the generations!

Perhaps, as the church develops a stronger identity as an English speaking congregation for English speakers, not as a means for free English lessons, things will improve. Thanks for your insight!

[billybrobby]

Sure, I'll name some positives and negatives about christianity, what a good thread topic!

Positives:

1. Saving the USA from the gay socialist plumber-haters
2. Celebrated in all parts of the Real America.
3. Lets people know we live in a vibrant, youthful 6,000 year old world, not some crusty 4.5 billion year old world

Negatives:

1. (i'll get back to you)

[pidgin]

[wondobern]

While this is not the point of this thread.

I agree with you, that nobody should ever be forced into anything as wonderful as our relationshio to God can be through Jesus Christ!

But, I ask you to intelligently consider the Book that has influenced the lives of more people than any ever written, and its main theme. God wants us to be sure of one thing: His love for us and our salvation through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.

As stated in my OP, it was not my intent for this thread to take this direction, so I hope we can turn back to original point, namely suggestions for an English speaking church in Korea! Thanks for your thoughtful responses!

[Tjames426]

Yes, attending a Korean English worship service can be very annoying. The Koreans see it as a FREE English lesson. Especially after the service where whitey gets surrounded by Koreans wanting to "practice", instead of talking to International friends from India, Singapore, Philippines, and other English speaking countries.

Most of the Christian Native English or Commonwealth country People just want to hang out with each other.

[pidgin]

[wondobern]

Good questions, all! And I don't want it to sound like I'm shirking those issues you bring up, but I have to teach a Bible study in 20 minutes, and am trying to finish a sermon for tomorrow, and Sunday (Reformation Sunday). I can respond a later time if you wish.

But, feel free to flame away! By the way, I really have enjoyed reading Dave's, while in the States, as I prepared to go to Korea! It has helped tons with the humor, as well as the serious topics brought up in understanding Koreans and their ways. So, I hope I'm welcomed to be a part of the forum to discuss other subjects from time to time, not just about church stuff, even if I'm a "dreaded missionary".

If this thread is heading in a different direction, no problem! But, I would still be interested in any insights people might have for an English speaking church in Korea --- whether you happen to be a regular church attendee or not. Peace!

[bassexpander]

The thing that keeps me from Korean churches is the almost unavoidable issue of money. The money problem is bad in the West. Seeing it here made me realize how bad it is. Also, they tend to put the pastor up on a pedistal too much.

But it's just as bad or worse here.

[Jeweltone]

There are two churches in Seoul that you might look into/contact the pastors for more ideas. I have had some experience with both of the churches mentioned below.

One of them is Onnuri English Ministries at http://www.onnurienglish.org/
It is a bit large/megachurch"ish," but seems to draw many Westerners (teachers and military) and Koreans who are reasonably fluent in English. It was not to my taste, but I did attend some of their events and had a good time. Oh, and they are in YangJae!

The other one (which I attended and participated in regularly) is Yongnak Church (International Worship in English) near Myeongdong Cathedral. The pastor there is an American (Caucasian) and has been in Korea for 20 years. There are two services - a traditional service in the morning, and a contemporary service in the afternoon. The afternoon service drew an equal amount of English-fluent Koreans and Westerners; I never went to the morning service. I liked the church because there were many opportunities to get actively involved in the "behind the scenes" parts of service. Their website (with services online) is http://www.myiwe.com

Neither churches are Lutheran; I believe they are both Presbytarian. I attended "the original" Lutheran high school, btw, although I am not Lutheran.

Hope that helps! PM me if you want more details...

[wondobern]

Fair criticism! Unfortunately, the "prosperity gospel" is very much alive in Korea, as it is in America too.

Not to boast, but I currently receive no salary, and half of our church's offerings go to missions outside of the church.

And no, I'm definitely not independantly wealthy, having served relatively poor churches in Jackson, MS, the westside of Chicago, and southcentral LA -- as well, having to pay thousands of dollars of medical bills from being hit by a car in LA a few years ago (6 surgeries later...). But I'm able to get by thus far, being single and am used to living cheaply.

So, it's all by faith that I'm here (or in the eyes of others, "foolishness", perhaps). Anyway, appreciate your input.

In celebration of Reformation Day coming up, perhaps people can come up with their own 95 Theses for the Church of today? If you come up with some good ones, I just might refer to them in my sermon....speaking of, have to get back to....