THE KUKMIN DAILY

On December 22, the Korean Church Council of Denomination Heads held a meeting at Koreana Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul (photo), where they unanimously approved a declaration to launch an ecumenical organization composed mainly of current denominational representatives. The denomination heads who signed the declaration include the Revs. Lee Seong-hui (Presbyterian Church of Korea -Tonghap), Kim Seong-gyu (PCK -Hapdong), Lee Jong-seung (PCK -Daeshin), Yeo Seong-sam (Korea Evangelical Holiness Church), Lee Young-hoon (Assemblies of God of Korea -Yoido Full Gospel), Yu Gwan-jae (Korea Baptist Convention), and Jeon Myeong-gu (Bishops' Council President, Korea Methodist Church).

The planned ecumenical organization will absorb and merge the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) and the Communion of Churches in Korea (CCIK), and will include KMC, PCK Kosin, and PCK Hapshin. In order to eliminate any worries about the establishment of a “third” entity, the CCK “7·7” articles of association will be the criteria used in restoring the organization. Any denomination accepted into either CCK or CCIK following adoption of these articles will be examined in accord with them, to block potential disputes over designation as a heretical or pseudo religious group.

CCIK is still negative about this move by the current moderators of major denominations. CCIK executive director Jeong Seo-yeong said, “CCK and CCIK have to be reunited, of course. But the Denominational Heads Council is working on something unnecessary. Currently no CCIK member denomination plans to leave the organization. But the dialogue needs sufficient time; otherwise, the unity efforts will bring division into third and fourth organizations.”

There is a growing consensus that PCK Tonghap must step in. The denomination made a crucial contribution to the establishment of CCIK, and continues to influence its operations by making the highest financial contribution (23.9%) among the member denominations. Forty-four delegations (12.3%) among the entire 355 CCIK delegations, and eight board members (25.8%) among the total 31 are dispatched by PCK Tonghap.

Prof. Park Myeong-su (church history) of Seoul Theological University commented, “PCK Tonghap was at the center when the Korean church was divided into three parts in 2012. Previously it was just two: CCK and the National Council of Churches in Korea. Considering its history, its number of churches and membership, as well as its role in embracing both liberals and conservatives, PCK Tonghap stands out no matter what. It should play a role in uniting the Korean church as one.”

Reporter Paek Sang-hyun (100sh@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok


Full Stories in Korean:

1. 한국교회 단일 연합기구 복원 선언: 교단장 회의, 선언문 만장일치 통과

2. 한국교회 연합, 예장통합 결단에 달렸다: 단일 연합기관 복원 선언 불구 한교연 “절차 잘못됐다” 주장


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