There are many things that can define a healthy church, but as a closer to second generation looking into first generation Korean church, here are some items to address... briefly.

1. Healthy churches requires healthy pastors. Emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually. Churches will enjoy God's blessings of joy and peace if the pastors (especially the senior pastor) have God's peace and joy.

2. Healthy churches need Godly disciplines. History of Korean churches in US is not long. Many leaders are not well trained spiritually and biblical intellect in application is low. (There are some great spiritual leaders, elders, kwonsas and deacons but they are too few to find) Unfortunately, pastors have not trained their leaders well and many leaders don't know "how to do church" and cause problems. They need to be disciplined. The discipline often may need to start again with pastors.

3. Healthy churches need to train and develop leaders. Many leaders are not trained. Too many people have been ordained as elders, kwonsas and deacons simply because they've been attending church a long time and/or given significant offerings. Many problems in Korean churches can be overcomed by biblical and practical education.

4. Healthy churches should have Kingdom perspective. Too many Korean churches are self-contained. Theis is understandable with short history of churches and most are still in "survival" mode. It is important to know that church means "God's church" and church is beyond the local congregation - such as classis and denomination and even beyond.

5. Healthy churches will have respect and compassion for all people. This is another view of Kingdom perspective. Reaching out in love for people in different generation and cultures - globally and locally. Many Korean churches are great reaching those far away (mission) but not necessarily with those who are close (community). Starting with younger and English speaking generation maybe a good place to start.

6. Healthy churches starts at home. Spirituality (education and practice) must start at home and continue to church. A person who are not able to maintain healthy (Godly) home cannot be asked to lead a healthy church. One cannot give what one does not have.

7. Healthy churches must be the people. In many Korean churches, good and healthy churches means having many good programs but good programs do not produce healthy churches, good healthy people produce healthy churches. Programs must exist to build people. People should not be used to build programs. 

There are more things, I'm sure. I pray that these will prompt many discussions and even debates and arguments among Korean leaders. Of course, not for the sake of arguing but to build healthier churches. It is time that we retreat from all that we do and start thinking, praying and discerning what really are important among all that we do as pastors.

The number one thing that I would suggest regarding healthiness of churches, ESPECIALLY in Korean churches is open communication.  In Korean culture, as with many other Asian cultures, there are many cultural beliefs, ideas, and ways of thinking that are simply assumed, taken for granted, but not openly and clearly communicated.  There is also the idea of public shame, where certain embarassing things are not to be revealed in public, lest those people be judged.  Often times, in an Asian-American church, the shamed person leaves the church never to return.

These two issues are key in developing a healthy Korean church in North America.  Expectations and other thoughts need to be clearly communicated to everyone in the congregation.  Also, the church needs to foster an atmosphere of forgiveness and grace, where people are not afraid to be honest with their failures and shortcomings.  These are important in every church, of course, but even more important in Asian-American churches where everyone tends to conform to long-held, traditional beliefs that are often uncommunicated.

Congratulations and praise God for your appointment.

I am praying that you (as well as all other delegates) will discern God's Spirit as Synod convenes. Yes, there are many important issues that needs decisions. Try to read up on other issues as well - especially the diversity report.

I have not been diligent in posting things here as I should have. 

이번 총회에 가신는 것에 축하드리며 격려합니다. 하나님께서 귀하게 쓰실 것으로 믿습니다. 이번에 중요한 내용들이 몇가지 있지요. 주님의 인도안에서 잘 결정하실 것을 믿고 부탁드립니다. 

앞으로 계속 post 를 올려 주시기 부탁드립니다.

Sahlom!

'10 Gkym Mission Conference is amazing event for Korean-American yousters.

Our 9 youngsters got strong challenge for their future lives.

We had a great time of their sharing from attending, they restored, challenged and decided their lives to the llOrd, and we all cried and thanked to God when we heard their testimonies, and also we pray for all participant's lives as well as the leaders of Gkym.

Praise the Lord's workings!

Thanks Ronald, God bless you Your reports and information about the Korean community is much appreciated. I wish the CRC would communicate better with all parts of this body of believers. I would love to go to a Korean CRC and see the work of God even if I didn't understand a word. The faces would be enough!

Thanks

Ken

GKYM Conference (Higher Calling) now has about 2000 college and young adults registered, but there are still room. At $150, which includes hotel and food, the is the best deal and blessing any where. There are over 40 workshops on missions and leadership and life. Great speakers and great music. Check out the conference website at www.gkym.org and click the US flag for English. CRWM and Leadership Exchange and Korean Ministry are participating among many others supporters such as Compassion Int'l and World Vision and numerous churches. This conference is open to all English speaking and there also is a Korean track.

GKYM 집회에 약 2000명의 청년들이 등록되어 있습니다. 아직도 자리가 있습니다. 3박4일을 San Diego Resort에서 모이는데 $150 (호텔과 식사 포함) 입니다. 40개 이상의 세미나도 준비가 되어있고 좋은 강사들과 은혜되는 찬양이 준비되어 있습니다. 더 자세한 내용은 www.gkym.org을 참조하세요. 우리 교단의 세계선교와 리더십 엑스체인지와 한임목회 사무실도 참여하며 여러 단체들이 후언하고 있습니다. 기도하시며 오셔서 함께 주님안에서 은혜를 나누며 축복 받으시기 바랍니다.

Good question.

Actually, many EM folks have gone to Anglo churches. Some stay but majority find themselves again unsatisfied. They feel something is missing. Many try Korean churches again after couple to few years later, but again dissatisfied and unfulfilling. 

I believe it has to do with some spirituality. Can't put into words, but these are truly marginal or between people. They are called Korean-Americans and they should be both Korean and American, but in reality they are also neither fully Korean nor American. I believe all ethnic person feel this way. They think they can be both but at the same time, they are neither. They can't explain it, they don't know what it is... only thing they know is that they are neither. 

I am a firm believer that only true satisfiable identity (where one can survive in all people and culture) is found in Christ. Unfortunately, this is what is missing in most churches. 

Ultimately, we have to link people to Christ... before anything else. Often we focus on earthly matters without leading them to spiritual. We need to start with where they are, but we must lead them to Christ. 

Some will make it in Anglo churches, which is good. Some will make it in multi-ethnic churches, which is also good. However, majority will seek to find... without knowing what they are looking for. It is this majority lost people that we have to focus and guide them to Christ and to church.

Thanks for responding. Maybe you have some other ideas and strategies to share?

Ron

Ron,

If you feel like you're talking to the air, take heart -- I'm not the wind speaking, but I'm eager to see your ministry to KM and EM prosper.   As a "Korean wannabee" I'll keep you and this matter in my prayers!     Blessings....