Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PeterDragon]

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[df1983]

I'm supposed to move there (Pyeongtaek City) in two weeks or so and am curious about this myself. What kind of denominations and religious groups do you find in Pyeongtaek or in Korea in general.

[D.D.]

oxymoron was the first thing that came to mind about your thread.

I guess you might have to do what the man said and look inside yourself for that Kingdom.

[lnomad60]

This one is in Songtan, about 5 minutes from Osan Air Base:

http://www.songtanbaptist.com/

[poeticjustice]

[PeterDragon]

Wevzxxxxxxxxx

[KimchiExplosion]

[Moldy Rutabaga]

It is difficult to ask about churches on this board without being ridiculed for it, but to gripe a little, your post seems to lack focus. I am not sure if you are looking for a church or trying to sort out your denominational issues!

I am not Catholic but I too have arguments about Koreans who feel that they are not Christians. But on the whole, despite your experience at the bible-thumping church, my experience of Korean churches is that they are usually conservative, more like the older American mainstream denominations like the Presbyterians, rather than being pur-raise Jay-sus fundamentalist like the Baptists. I do not think the one you attended is representative of the country.

My suggestion is that you look for a Korean church in or near Pyeongtaek with simultaneous translation (there's one in Cheonan), or you look for an English service (I know a good one in Cheongju, but that's far). I find Korean English services to be more liberal to match the people who attend, and you are more likely to meet people you can be theologically and personally comfortable with. If you are very lucky, you might find a place where your wife can attend the Korean service first, and then you can show up and join her for the English service.

Ken:>

[iammac2002]

Wouldn't the Army base in Pyongtaek have a church? You can get on there with your alien registration card, and you don't always need a GI friend to get you on base.

[PeterDragon]

[qusdgv

[Moldy Rutabaga]

That's sad. I've used this saying a lot, but one of the bad things about Christianity is that there's no accreditation board! I think Christianity has in general been a positive influence in Korea, but there are still people here who use it as a platform for the same old prejudices. I can only say I've been lucky. Most people I've met have been nice.

At any rate, you might seek out the Cheonan or Cheongju church I've mentioned, and I can give you directions if you like -- or you might try to find a Korean service with simultaneous translation over headsets, and try to find a place that fits both of you. Galbijim has lists.

Ken:>

[bluelake]

Back when I taught at Handong Global University in Pohang, I enjoyed attending the Handong International Church (I was even a deacon for a couple years), which is a non-denominational church. They have an English service at 9 a.m. and a Korean one at 11 a.m. The services are rather laid-back and everybody (from about two dozen countries) feels welcome.

At my current university, there is nothing nearby like that that I can find. For years and years, I had the same situation in Gyeongju; I went to a Korean-language Presbyterian church for a while, but I wasn't really getting much out of it, so I stopped going.

***********

In general, regarding Korean Christian history, there have been lots of ups and downs. Back in the 1880s and 90s, the Protestants and Catholics at first got along o.k., but then had severe run-ins with each other. The stories are quite fascinating; I would recommend reading the book Korea and Christianity, edited by Yu Chai-shin. It gives an un-sugarcoated account of what went on then.

[tzechuk]

Take the train up and go to the Anglican Cathedral. The current vicar is Irish and is a top chap. Their service is at 9.30 though..

[CentralCali]

[PeterDragon]

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