통일 한국을 향한 한국 교회의 선교적 사명

Abstract

The unification of Korea is our dream and hope. However, Korea and Korean churches have not properly responded to and have not sufficiently prepared for it. Although some mega-churches performed numerous things and ministered mission works for North Korean refugees, most churches were involved in few economic support and humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, Korean churches have no strategies for the unification and no preparation to evangelize North Korean people. The writer assures that God has blessed Korea and Koran churches for His work to save and bless North Korea. In this sense, God’s choice is for accountability and responsibility, not a privilege. In the Bible passage of Esther 4:13-14, Mordecai say, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” God gives same words to Korean churches. Korean churches should prepare appropriate and balanced strategies for the unification, fulfill ongoing role in building trust with North Korean people, and train North Korean refugee who came to South Korea. They will perform a pivotal role to evangelize their own people after the unification. Korean churches need to recognize that mission works for North Korea is a cross-cultural ministry. The churches should utilize them for reaching out to North Korean. The writer thinks that the unification of Germany will be a good example and potential model for Korean unification. Korean churches should learn from what and how German churches contributed for the unification of Germany. In the process of German unification, the churches carried out a pivotal role as priming water. German church eagerly worked for unification and reconciliation of the churches and society, continuously educated them about biblical value and spirit of unification, and financially supported East Germany. Through these efforts, German churches could establish the confidence. In particular, German churches fulfilled the biblical mandate: spreading the gospel. These made Germany to be able to achieve peaceful reunification. Throughout the understanding of the German churches’ effort toward the unification of Germany, this paper assures that Korean churches are responsible for the unification and they should prepare for reaching out to North Koreans, including North Korean refugees. In fact, Korea churches have focused on financial assistance and relief, rather than a systematic and strategic approach for the unification. However, They have to prepare for the unification one by one, so that they must be a priming water, like Germany. It is not an easy task. It will require incredible dedication and hard work, ceaseless prayer and tears, and tremendous financial resource. No matter how much it takes, they need to carry out because it is what God wants. Koran churches should figure out why God would not allow Korea to be unified.