The person handing out bulletins at the sanctuary entrance was a practicing lawyer, the choir director was a law school graduate, and the accompanist was an American lawyer. A former prosecutor preached the sermon, and a lawyer gave the prayer. This was the scene at the January 15 worship service of Yangbyeong Church (Rev. Shim Dong-seop; Presbyterian Church of Korea - Daeshin) in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
Unique Yangbyeong Church is located in “Judicial Town,” an area filled with law offices, corporate tax offices and other such establishments. Just beyond its walls are Seoul High Court and Seoul District Court. Founded in December 2011 with the goal of “raising up faithful Christian soldiers to transform the era,” Yangbyeong (raising soldiers) Church has a congregation that is 30% lawyers, legal scholars and other members of the legal profession.
Rev. Shim Dong-seop (58, right, in photo) serves the church without pay while working as the head of Somang Prison. On weekdays his wife, evangelist Kim Pyeong-suk (58), looks after the church. Church member Ryu Jeong-u (47) said, “The pastor reconstructs the incidents in the Bible like a former prosecutor, and each time he reveals a fact I hadn’t realized before, it gives me great inspiration.”
The church is an open space for fellowship groups of prosecutors and law school graduates. Morning prayer meetings are at 7:30, followed by breakfast; and most of the “judicial town” members eat together before departing for work. Each Friday the church also carries out evangelical activities in front of the Korea Legal Aid Corporation and Seoul District Court.
Reporter Paek Sang-hyun (100sh@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Photo by intern reporter Bo Yeon Kim
Full Story in Korean:
[일과 신앙] 하나님의 공의 법으로 실현할 신실한 군병 양성: ‘성도 3분의 1이 법조인’ 양병교회… 서울 서초동 법조타운 내 유일한 교회
1 in 3 Members of Seoul’s Unique “Judicial Town” Church Are From Legal Circles
2017-01-17 17:04
