The following is a wrap-up of decisions made at the general assemblies on September 21.
On the last day of its 2017 general assembly, PCK Tonghap accepted the petition from the Women’s Committee requesting “the dispatch of at least one woman delegate from each of the 67 presbyteries.” PCK Tonghap thus became the third denomination to adopt a women delegates quota, following the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) and the Korean Methodist Church, and attention is focusing on whether this action will be repeated by other denominations.
In the top photo, members of the National Alliance of PCK Tonghap Women Ministers and the National Alliance of Women Seminarians carry out a signature drive for the adoption of a women delegates quota, in front of the general assembly venue, Onnuri Community Church in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on September 20. (Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok)
PCK Tonhap also accepted the petition for the opening of classes on gender equality at its seven affiliated seminaries.
One of the most conservative denominations, PCK Kosin, which currently does not allow women’s ordination, has decided to have the professors’ association of Korea Theological Seminary conduct a one-year study on the issue. This was influenced by the decision last June by the Dutch Reformed Church, which is in exchange relationship with PCK Kosin, to ordain women pastors and elders.
PCK Hapshin rejected the ordination of women pastors. The theology committee of its general assembly reported, “We cannot but conclude that the Bible does not allow the ordination of women in the church or the entrusting of the sacred profession to them… The position of PCK Hapshin on women’s ordination follows Biblical, wholesome tradition.”
The heretical and pseudo religious groups damage countermeasures, survey and research committee of PCK Hapdong banned all participation and exchanges with Rev. Lim Borah of Sumdol Hyanglin Church. The committee stated the grounds for its decision: “Rev. Lim is destroying the orthodox interpretation of the Bible.” The general assemblies of PCK Hapshin and PCK Kosin made the same decision, and banned their member churches, pastors, and members from participating in activities related to Lim.
There were decisions made also with regard to Rev. Kim Seong-ro (Hanmaum Church, Chuncheon). PCK Hapdong banned all participation and exchange with him, while PCK Kosin commissioned the professors’ association of Korea Theological Seminary to study whether or not Rev. Kim is heretical.
Responses against the expansion of Islam also drew notice. PCK Hapdong decided to act on the denominational level with regard to the slaughterhouse for Halal food, now in the planning stage for construction in Guryong-myeon, Buyeo-gun, South Chungcheong-do. The Hapdong General Assembly’s Islam countermeasures committee will open seven regional “Islam academies” on the theme “How is Islam different from Christianity?” PCK Tonghap passed a bill to include contents related to Islam in its Sunday school curriculum and district study materials.
With the PROK General Assembly’s approval of Hanshin University President Yeon Gyu-hong by 271 yea vs. 259 nay votes (with 5 void and 3 abstentions) among the 541 voting delegates, the president’s seat is no longer empty, following the school’s 20 months of limping administration.
This approval, in the view of both insiders and outsiders, will be the starting point of reform for Hanshin University. Now, following the newly revised articles of organization, the board must accept the board members dispatched by the PROK presbyteries. An additional urgent task is to break down the wall of distrust that has arisen between the board and the students, and between the professors and the administrative staff during the prolonged absence of a president.
Beginning next year, PCK Hapdong will follow a direct election system for selection of the general assembly’s board members, dropping the current method of drawing lots. In the past, when there were more than three registered candidates, the general assembly drew two lots to determine who would run in the final election. According to the new system, a board member will be chosen by direct election no matter how many candidates there are. The bill for extension of the retirement age to 75 (currently 70) failed to pass.
Reporters Lee Saya, Narae Kim & Yeong Dae Yoo; and reporters Choi Ki-young, Jang Chang-Il, Gu Jachang & Hyunwoo Lee from Iksan, Gyeongju & Cheongan; with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Original Article in Korean:
통합, 여성 총대 할당제 통과… 합동, 임원선출 ‘제비뽑기’ 폐지: 2017 교단총회 현장
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