“Arbestian” is a newly coined word composed of “arbeit” (part-time work) and “Christian.” As it becomes difficult for churches to manage labor (ministry) demands through members’ voluntary services alone, they are meeting unfulfilled needs by providing remuneration for some services. The term arbestian includes both believers and nonbelievers. In some cases, nonbelievers working in churches have come to accept the faith naturally.
Arbestians’ work hours are not long. Many of them are accompanists for Wednesday evening and Sunday morning worship services, as well as for rehearsals. Churches also need part-time helpers in their worship broadcasting rooms, baristas for their cafes, and employees for miscellaneous administrative tasks.
The existence of arbestians also strengthens church operations. “It’s hard to request unplanned services even from church members,” the pastor of a Seoul church said. “From the church’s viewpoint, help from musicians and broadcasting experts makes it possible to hold higher quality worship services, and this is a blessing.”
There are conflicting opinions within churches as to whether arbestians should be viewed as laborers. Last May, a Facebook page opened discussion on this topic with the question, “Should we pay church members for services to the church?” The 100 some comments that appeared in response were evenly divided between the view that “It doesn’t look good to have money coming and going in the church,” and the contrasting opinion that “The work takes time, so of course they can be paid.”
Lawyer Kang Mun-dae said, “Because we can see in the broad sense that labor relations are formed as someone works continuously in a church, there is a need for regulation of the legal relationship.”
Reporter Hwang Yuntae (truly@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Illustration by Young Eun Lee
Full Story in Korean:
봉사와 아르바이트 사이… ‘알바스천’을 아시나요: 교회 내 일자리가 만들어 낸 新풍속도
Between Christian and Arbeit… What is “Arbestian?”
2018-07-15 14:42
