On September 20, the delegates of the Presbyterian Church of Korea - Tonghap (top photo) passed a constitutional revision bill to include a new article stating, “An LGBT person may not hold any standing position (elder or deacon), temporary position, or paid staff job in the denomination’s member churches.” The regulation applies also to the staff of PCK Tonghap’s seven seminaries.
The general assembly accepted its Constitution Committee’s report calling for revision of the current Law Prohibiting Hereditary Succession, but explained that the specific revision process will start with the 103rd general assembly next year.
△ PCK Hapdong:
PCK Hapdong may finally have taken a first step toward resolving the years-long conflict between its general assembly and the board members of Chongshin University. The Hapdong General Assembly’s standing indictment committee requested that the delegate rights restriction currently imposed on Rev. Kim Seung-dong (acting Chongshin Foundation board chair) and Rev. Ju Jin-man (Chongshin Foundation auditor) be lifted, in response to which Rev. Kim and Rev. Ju declared, “We’ll follow the general assembly’s directions positively.” As the two parties have showed dramatic evidence of their will to cooperate, attention is focusing on what further actions will be taken for the normalization of Chongshin University.
△ Korea Baptist Convention:
The KBC (moderator: Rev. An Hui-muk) held a combined ceremony of farewell to departing board members and inauguration of their successors. New Moderator Rev. An Hui-muk said, “Right now, we of the Baptist Church do not have time to linger in division or conflict. Let’s move together to build harmonious relationships. Though we focus on relationships, if that hinders the development and future of our denomination, I will choose denominational development over relationships. I will serve our denomination by honestly doing my best before God, rather than trying to please persons.”
△ PCK Kosin:
The PCK Kosin General Assembly concentrated on expansion of its external dimension, with plans to establish the “Overseas Diaspora Kosin Church” and to engage vigorously with other denominations, domestic and international. Secretary General Gu Ja-wu said, “Instead of the prevailing mission method of dispatching missionaries, we now prefer planting Korean post churches to nurture Korean students studying abroad and to evangelize the native peoples of those countries. To actualize the Kosin spirit for the building of a Reformist world church and the evangelizing of the world, we need to focus on establishing churches of the diaspora.”
△ PCK Hapshin:
PCK Hapshin prepared ways to respond on the denominational level to the homosexuality issue. The general assembly’s Countermeasures Committee to Block Homosexuality decided to file a petition for dismissal or excommunication of any member pastor or elder who supports or promotes homosexuality. Examples presented by the committee included baptism of an unrepentant homosexual person, officiating at a same-sex marriage, committing homosexual acts, or advocating homosexuality in conversation or sermons.
△ Churches of Christ:
From September 18 to 20, the Churches of Christ Council (president: Rev. Shin Jo-gwang) held its 82nd General Assembly at Hanwha Resort in Daecheon, South Chungcheong-do. Current Moderator Shin Jo-gwang successfully secured a consecutive term. Rev. Choi Yeon-gi (Shindeok Church, Goyang) was elected first vice-president, and Rev. Kim Saeng-su (Jeil Church, Gangneung) was chosen as second vice-president.
The Churches of Christ decided to install a new Homosexuality Countermeasures Movement Headquarters devoted to opposing the proposed constitutional amendment allowing homosexuality and same-sex marriage. The Council also decided to join the Korea Christian Coalition (KCC), and to participate more actively in the church unity movement. As for the clergy tax, the Council decided to guide its clergy members in paying the tax voluntarily.
Reporters Choi Ki-young, Jang Chang-Il, Hyunwoo Lee, Gu Jachang, & Narae Kim, from Iksan, Gyeongju, Cheonan, & Pyeongchang, with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Top photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok
Original Article in Korean:
통합 ‘동성애자 항존직 될 수 없다’ 조항 신설: 주요 교단총회 상보
Related Article:
PCK Tonghap Passes Women Delegates Quota, PCK Hapdong Abolishes Drawing of Lots
