Last March, Myungsung Presbyterian Church (pastor emeritus: Rev. Kim Sam-hwan, left) in Seoul held a congregational meeting at which it resolved to merge with New Song Myungsung Church (Rev. Kim Ha-na) in Hanam, Gyeonggi-do, and to call Rev. Kim Ha-na (right), the eldest son of Rev. Kim Sam-hwan, to become its head pastor. At the time, Rev. Kim Ha-na clarified that he had no intention of merging with Myungsung Church or of succeeding to his father’s position. In fact, New Song Myungsung Church took no action, and the controversy over “irregular hereditary succession” was dissipating.
At its annual general assembly last week, the Presbyterian Church of Korea - Tonghap accepted its Constitution Committee’s report proposing revision of the current “Hereditary Succession Prohibition Law” on the ground that it violates church members’ basic right to choose their own pastor.
Following this decision, Myungsung Presbyterian Church is now moving to call Rev. Kim Ha-na as its next head pastor, without merging with New Song Myungsung Church.
Among the prayer concerns listed in the Myungsung Church bulletin on September 24 was the item “For Rev. Kim Ha-na and his calling as pastor of Myungsung Church.” On September 26 at its regular meeting, Godeok Inspection Meeting of PCK Tonghap’s Southeast Seoul Presbytery approved the Myungsung Church petition to call Rev. Kim as its pastor. The inspection meeting, consisting of committee members selected by the presbytery, is a standing body that helps with governance by the presbytery, the denomination’s district-level ruling body. Godeok Inspection Meeting submitted the Myungsung Church petition to its governing presbytery, Southeast Seoul Presbytery. The Overtures Committee (chair: Rev. Kim Su-won) of the Presbytery plans to consult the officers’ meeting of the General Assembly as to whether or not the current Hereditary Succession Prohibition Law is in effect, before accepting the petition. If the petition is accepted, the regular meeting of Southeast Seoul Presbytery, to be held on October 24 at Macheon Segyero Church (Rev. Kim Gwang-seon), will deal with the matter.
For the time being, it is hard to predict the outcome once the call petition is passed. The General Assembly officers’ meeting could file suit immediately with the Trial Department of the General Assembly, but it is unknown whether it will take such legal action. The General Assembly officers’ meeting said it has no comment for now. One officer said, “Strictly speaking, the calling of a pastor by a local church is a matter for its presbytery. Therefore, it is awkward for the General Assembly to intervene directly.”
Reporter Lee Saya (Isaiah@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Original Article in Korean:
명성교회, 합병 없이 김하나 목사 청빙으로 선회: 예장통합 서울 동남노회 시찰회, 김삼환 목사 장남인 김 목사 청빙 청원 통과시켜
Related Article:
1. PCK Tonghap Bans LGBT From Seminaries and Churches, Baptist Church Elects New Moderator
2. After 4 Years, PCK Tonghap “Law Prohibiting Hereditary Succession” at a Crossroads
3. Rev. Kim Ha-na: “Inner conflicts cause churches to collapse”
4. Myungsung Presbyterian Church Resolves to Merge with New Song Myungsung Church
