이화여자대학교 대학교회 70년사(1935년-2005년)

Abstract

A university church established on campus is mainly for the university's staff and students, unlike a denominational church which is open to anyone. A university church usually has a simpler system and more limited functions than the latter, but can draw upon the plentiful intelligence and interest of the university congregation and be experimental in various areas. In this regard, it has the capacity to develop theological hypotheses and practices on campus mission and faith, as well as a community’s identity and function, which a denominational church does not have the resources for. It is therefore of great consequence to look back to the history of Ewha Woman’s University Church as the first university church established in Korea, and to explore the characteristics of the Church. This study outlines the 70 years of history following the establishment of the Church in 1935 and analyzes its characteristics. It began as a continuation of the University chapel services, and has grown into a church community where reason and emotion, gospel and prophesy,faith and theology meld together as a way of life. The Church is now ecumenical, non-authoritarian, and gender free. It has been also a mission community that focused on spreading the joy of faith through the nation and the world. As all church communities cannot be the body of Christ itself despite their aspirations, the Ewha Woman’s University Church has remaining tasks to achieve. The congregation does not remain after the Sunday morning service to share in their fellowship, which does not foster a sense of unity within the church community. To find the remedy to such a weakness without sacrificing the simplicity of the university church system is a crucial question to be addressed for the future.