THE KUKMIN DAILY

On January 26, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)’s Gender Equality Committee held a policy consultation at Chodong Church on Donhwamum-no in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Speakers at the consultation made various demands to bring positive transformation of the current male-oriented church culture.

In her presentation titled “Evaluation and prospects for women’s participation in the denominational decision-making structure,” Rev. In Geum-ran, general secretary of the PROK National Women’s Association, pointed out that the number of women delegates to the general assembly has been decreasing, and asserted that a women’s allocation system needs to be included in the denomination’s constitution. She gave examples of the world church and NCCK, which recommend participation of women and young adults at levels up to 50% and 30% respectively, and suggested that the denomination needs to amend or supplement the current unreasonable bylaw. She said, “For example, a certain portion of women and young adults, among the members with the right to speak at presbytery meetings and general assembly, should be appointed as special-status delegates with the right to vote.”

Rev. Lee Hye-jin, general secretary of the PROK Council for Clergywomen, said in her presentation on “The reality and outlook for women’s ministry after 40 years of women’s ordination” that women ministers are still expected to play an assistant role, and that this perception needs to be changed first of all. She further proposed necessary systemic changes such as adopting a women’s quota for assistant pastoral positions, and the enacting of denomination-level measures related to pastors’ pregnancy, childbirth and child care.

A woman head pastor, Rev. Kim Seong-hui of Doknibmun Church, emphasized that in order to bring about needed changes, more women should participate in the denomination’s policy-making processes.

* In the photo, PROK Gender Equality Committee Chair Lee Moon-sook explains the aims of the policy consultation.

Reporter Jin Samyeol (samuel@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)

Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok


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