다중위기 시대, 지속가능한 한국교회를 위한 목회 신학적 성찰 : ESG 목회를 중심으로

Abstract

Similar to the global community facing polycrisis, churches are also confronted with the crisis of sustainability. This paper emphasizes the interaction of three characteristics of the multifaceted crisis—climate crisis, socio-economic crisis, and democratic crisis—making sustainability challenging for the Korean Protestant church’s ministry and survival. Environmental degradation and ecosystem changes due to the climate crisis directly impact the worship and community activities of the church, while the socio-economic crisis reduces church finances, leading to a contraction of pastoral and missionary work. The democratic crisis challenges the decision-making structure and operational methods of the church. In the midst of these multiple crises, the church stands at a point where it needs to explore a new sustainable ministry model. As a response to this challenge, this paper argues that ecological, missionary, and structural transformations are necessary for the churches to address the polycrisis. Ecological transformation entails moving away from anthropocentric theology to adopt an ecocentric approach. Missionary transformation involves restoring social solidarity through activities that meet the needs of local communities and the global community while proclaiming the Gospel. Structural transformation refers to fair and transparent changes in the decision-making structure and pastoral operations of the church. This paper proposes a sustainable church model applying Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values as theological tools for these three transformations. ESG ministry consists of symbiotic ministry pursuing the restoration of the global life community in the environmental aspect, cooperative ministry realizing the values of the Kingdom of God and serving the local community in the social aspect, and just ministry incorporating fair decision-making and embracing diverse opinions in the governance aspect. In conclusion, this paper argues that in the age of the polycrisis, the church can secure sustainability through ESG ministry. Furthermore, it can restore its identity as a public church, fulfilling the essence of church being a community of public service.