THE KUKMIN DAILY

The 100th Anniversary Memorial Church (honoring 100 years of Korean Protestant mission) in Mapo-gu, Seoul, has appointed four “cooperative head pastors” to succeed Rev. Lee Jae-cheol. Nadulmok Community Church (Rev. Kim Hyeong-guk, representative pastor) in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, recently set up several area churches whose ministries will be carried out by circuit pastors. Observers are wondering whether these developments will provide a new model for the transfer of church leadership.

The cooperative pastors system has been practiced infrequently in Korean church history. It is clearly different from the “team pastorate” tried in the past by Youngnak Church. Besides its head pastor, Youngnak also had clergy in exclusive charge of education and mission. At present, only the education pastor maintains exclusive charge.

In line with his church’s new attempt, Rev. Lee Jae-cheol made an unusual request to the congregation. “Toss me out completely, not halfheartedly, because only then will you be able to enjoy the new dimension of blessings coming from God through the cooperative head pastors. Please, just throw me out.” These were his farewell words at the conclusion of the church’s Thanksgiving service on November 18, just before he departed for Ungyang-myeon in Geochang-gun, South Gyeongsang-do. Rev. Lee preached at all four worship services that day, and left directly for the countryside with his wife, Jeong Ae-ju. Lee was appointed head pastor of the church on July 10, 2005, and carried out ministry there for 13 years and 4 months.

Once the church had made the decision to introduce the cooperative pastors system, it did not take long to select the new leaders. At the end of last year, the Revs. Jeong Han-jo, Lee Yeong-ran, Kim Gwang-uk and Kim Yeong-jun were appointed cooperative head pastors. They are in charge of spirituality, Sunday school, ministry, and external affairs, respectively, and have been serving as head pastors since January this year.

Head Pastor for External Affairs Kim Yeong-jun said in a phone interview on November 19, “The cooperative head pastors system is a new attempt, heretofore unseen in the Korean church… Its significance is that it introduces more expertise into ministry, and we can also look forward to more efficient ministry.” Head Pastor for Spirituality Jeong Han-jo, preaching at the 13th anniversary Sunday worship service this past July 8, also expressed hopes for the cooperative head pastor system.

“It was a decision made to prevent takeover of the church by a single pastor,” he said. “Another strong point is that with four head pastors, the focus on one individual is dispersed so that all can fully serve the church as the body of the Lord.”

Experts say that leadership education and training are necessary in order for the cooperative pastors system to be a success. Prof. Gye Jae-gwang of the Department of Christian Studies, Hannam University, said, “In Korea, with its culture of vertical groupism, it may not be easy to realize perfect team leadership… Immediately following an excellent former leader, the key to success is long-term training and forming of relationships of mutual trust for empowerment.” Prof. Kang Byeong-oh of the Christian Ethics Department, Seoul Theological University, said, “Under the present circumstances of low social trust in the Korean church, I see this as a new effort that can arouse hope inside and outside church circles.” He advised, “In the event of improper management, the result could be restoration of the head pastor-associate pastor system, or a split into two or more churches following different pastors; so they need to be very careful.”

*Photo: Rev. Lee Jae-cheol (center) and the congregation of 100th Anniversary Memorial Church sing the benediction and exchange blessings following Rev. Lee’s farewell sermon on November 18, just before his departure for Geochang, South Gyeongsang-do.

Reporters Narae Kim, Jang Chang-Il, & Yang Minkyeon (jangci@kmib.co.kr)
Photo courtesy of 100th Anniversary Memorial Church.

Full Story in Korean:
“나를 철저히 버리라”… 공동목회 길 터주고 낙향한 이재철 목사: 100주년기념교회 후임 목사들 역할 분담 등 목회 리더십 변화 바람