한국교회 성장동력의 분석과 평가

Abstract

This essay aims to analyze the cause of growth stagnation and to find out the justification and possibility of church growth in practice. At first, we seek the concept of the growth and value index or the understanding of Korean churches through the study on church growth. Then, we also analyze the results of a study by Korean theologians on 10 churches as follows; Seocho Central Church, Jigoochon Ful Gospel Church, Youido Baptist Church, Sinyang Church, Seodaemun Church, Geruhanbit Gwangsung Church, Mana Church, Hyangsang Church, Osan Pyungwha Church and Gunsan Sungkwang Church. We try to generalize the results of the study and to assess causation of growing and emerging of those churches proposed by theologians. At last, we interpret the common growth elements of those churches with the value index as mentioned above and prospect a new model for the future church. We can propose the following contents resulting from the study. Korean churches are trying to overcome growth stagnation for the long term in order to find out a new strategy or renewal for church growth or emerge instead of a traditional church ministry or system during the last century. The above emerging churches have two tasks commonly as follows; one is the right understanding of nature for church, and the other is church growth as a strategical dimension for forming the desirable church. The purpose of church growth is to glorify God according to practice of a mature Christian life relevant to growth both in faith and in spirit. Moreover, renewing the church image to Korean churches comes first for new church growth. Korean churches have to try to restore their blended value to full capacity. Most Koreans view the Korean church as a very exclusive religious group to modern culture, so they have a negative image towards the Korean churches’ mission. To overcome it, the emerging churches are trying to practice sharing and servicing through various programs for their local communities. The Korean church cannot welcome its desirable growth in the future without solving its negative legacy from the last century due to the stiffness and image damage of the institutional church. The Korean church will find out the powerful emerging engines according to locations and situations of the church. One of them will come from ministry philosophy and leadership of minister, dynamic worship, governance renewal, layperson training, family central ministry and local community service resulted by this study.