Korean Lutheran Youth’s Proclamation for the Reformation of the Korean Church : 10 Tasks
The maker of 10 tasks Kim Jiseung Park Youngkook Lee Susanna Lee Yoonji Jeong Seungwon Cho Sunghun Youth Association of Lutheran Church in Korea
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6 : 8)
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Experience the cross and resurrection of Jesus.
â–ś Faith without Christ The Korean Church has turned into a social club discarding Jesus. People Seek Jesus with lips, however, Jesus is not in the church. He should be the center of all our thought and conduct, and we are to strive to understand and follow his will. (John 7 : 37 ~ 39) On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
â–ś Exorbitant Charismatism Experiencing the Spirit is important for genuine spiritual walk. However, its overemphasis without the essential things of Christianity should be warned. The Spirit is a God-event, not a human-event. Thus, it is 6
dangerous to use the experience of the Spirit as a sole criterion for deciding whether or not a person experienced God. The experience of the Spirit should be tested in light of Word, and God’s will and plan should be pursued in it. (1 Cor. 13 : 2) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
▶ unilateral repentance A true repentance does not lie in saying ‘God will forgive’ without any effort for change. A God-pleasing repentance consists of beating one’s chest, kneeling, and turning toward Jesus. (1 John 1 : 8 ~ 9) If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
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02
Let our self die and Jesus live.
▶ Separation of Life and Faith Dr. Martin Luther’s ‘sola fide’ has been distorted to mean faith without any good work can save us. He meant to emphasize faith, but not to neglect work. Life and faith cannot be separated, our faith should be evident in our daily conduct and practice. (James 2 : 26) As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
▶ Lack of vocation We are called to be God’s people. However, we fail to respond to such a precious, incomparable call. God will be pleased if we constantly listen to his call and obey. (Rome 1 : 6 ~ 7) And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 8
▶ Lack of personal zeal for faith Before the nominal Christians, there existed ‘Sunday’ Christians. A faith which solely relies on Sunday sermons cannot thrive. For the faith to grow, it is vital to pursue God’s will and spiritual discipline for godly life through constant personal meditation and prayer. (Proverb 3 : 3) Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
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Our faith walk should be in line with the teachings of Jesus. ▶ ‘solo’ faith A single-life pattern expressed in eating and drinking alone has become a new normal. However, a healthy faith grows within a faith community. God designed us to belong and love one another. A healthy faith is maintained when both personal devotional life and community life are well balanced. (Hebrews 10 : 24 ~ 25) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
▶ health and wealth gospel God wills to save us from flesh and make us new. However, Korean Church has perverted gospel for ‘health and wealth,’ in seek fleshly desire in place of God’s righteousness. God is not a genie in the bottle whom we can manipulate for our end. A biblical faith lies in seeking 10
God’s will and pursuing to obey it. (Galatians 2 : 20) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
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04
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but discern God’s will. ▶ Sexual scandals and moral decay A serious moral crisis for the Korean Church was resulted from prevalent sex scandals and crimes committed by church leaders. Christians are to build up the moral backbones of the society through moral and ethical excellence mirrored in God’s Word. (Rome 2 : 20 ~ 23) an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
▶ Ecclesiastical patrimony Despite that a church cannot become a property, ‘mega’ churches practice patrimony by inheriting the church to a family member. It makes church into a mere property. God appoints a senior pastor, and thus 12
there should be an appropriate call process. (Acts 1 : 23 ~ 25) So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs."
▜ Church, an interest group Some use church for their political or personal interest. Even though Christians are to be God’s watchmen armored with gospel, the church which became an interest group is subject to criticism of the world. Christians are called to humility to serve by preaching gospel rather than seeking self interest. (Matthew 23 : 11 ~ 12) The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
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05
Instruct in Word.
▶ Education aiming for success Within Korean Church, sermons and education have become tools for teaching about health and wealth. A church should teach Christians not about worldly success but living out one’s vocation and serving God’s will. (2 Timothy 3 : 16 ~ 17) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
▶ Lack of interest for the next generation The Korean Church speaks about love but do not put into practice. Many Christians are reluctant to serve as Christian teachers. Churches, short-sighted by lack of immediate fruition, are hesitant to invest time and resources for the next generation. Church school is church’s future. Concern and investment in love are vital.
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(Philippians 4 : 9) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
▜ Poor theological education Theological education is a sacred task for raising Kingdom workers. A sound theological education nurtures godly leaders who lead to a healthy church and give a sound instruction to the laity. Theological education should be based on God’s word alone and unqualified theological institutions should be reexamined along with their teachings. (John 14 : 24) He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
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06
Live a genuine Christian life commanded of us.
▶ Ostracizing the alienated and suffering During His ministry, Jesus cared for and cured sinners and the sick. He did not turn away from the alienated and suffering. Rather he put the second greatest commandment into practice. The Jerusalem Church was devoted to helping the needy along with preaching, and there were no one in need. How serious is the Korean Church about helping the needy? Do we not turn away from them mocking and discriminating? (Acts 4 : 34 ~ 35) There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
▶ Church’s exclusiveness With lips we confess that we all are God’s children and creatures. However, we judge others by their appearances and treat them with 16
prejudice. Treating others with prejudice based on the appearance is not suitable for God’s grace and love. (James 2 : 1, 2 : 9) My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
â–ś Absence of prophetic role in relation to the society Church is called to be a prophetic message for society. As did John the Baptist as well as Dr. Martin Luther, church should raise untamed prophetic message against the evil of society. The Korean Church must point to the alternative in face of the Korean social issues threatening life, justice, and peace. (Matthew 5 : 14 ~ 16) "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
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No more unilateral decision! Communicate with each other. ▶ Church run by a few A church cannot be anyone’s property. A church’s direction or goal or vision should be owned by the church community. But the Korean Church is run by a few elite. God’s church should avoid any form of such a monopoly, and all the saints should be able to participate, communicate, and share. (Ephesians 1 : 22 ~ 23) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
▶ Sexual discrimination within church Despite that women make up 70% of the Korean believers, discrimination against women is common. They often do not have equal voice in church’s policy-making and decision making process but are forced to sacrifice do menial services such as cooking, flower arranging, selling things to raise fund, etc. Men and women are equally created in God’s 18
image. Therefore, women should not be treated as less. (Galatians 3 : 28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
▶ Forced unconditional obedience to the pastoral office and arbitrary administration Society’s vertical structure has permeated into Korean church, resulting that blind obedience is considered to be a virtue. Raising a critical voice against church leaders’ decision is regarded to be rude. However, pastoral office per se cannot be an authority, and unconditional submission to it can be harmful. A human pastor can err and misjudge. A courageous pastor is the one who acknowledges one’s weakness and is able to listen to the laity. (Matthew 23 : 8 ~ 9) "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
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08
Before asking to serve, serve.
▶ Assistant pastor’s poor pay for forced passional work Assistant pastors are maltreated. Their forced overwork for small salary makes it impossible to maintain decent life. A distorted perspective on them and unfair treatment should be corrected. (Deuteronomy 24 : 14 ~ 15) Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns. Pay him his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and is counting on it. Otherwise he may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
▶ Overworked young Christians Various services and ministries are not young Christians’ primary job. They want to be nurtured by and filled with worship and fellowship. A local church’s various services and ministries are to be joyfully shared among all church members. 20
(1 Peter 4 : 10) Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
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09
Possessions belong to God!
Give thankfully and joyfully. ▶ Forced Giving Korean Church has created and imposed numerous kinds of offering and distorted biblical blessing into health and wealth. Material blessing became an important criterion for faith. To judge one’s faith by his/her size of offering is not compatible with God’s way. (2 Corinthians 9 : 7) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
▶ Offering not used for the needy We give to God to help the needy not to show off with impressive church buildings. Offerings should be spent in God-pleasing manner. (2 Corinthians 8 : 13 ~ 14)
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn 22
their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,
▜ A distorted view on giving God values one's small but joyous giving over large amount of giving motivated by people’ applause. At the center of giving lies a grateful and obedient heart. A giving to show one’s success and wealth is undesirous. (Luke 21 : 1 ~ 4) "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
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Serve God, not Mammon.
▶ Materialism in the church People began to adore mega church as good church. That five world's largest churches, including the largest ‘Yoe I Do’ Full Gospel Church, are in Korea reflects this reality. However, bigger churches with best facilities are not necessarily better churches. Good churches are found among believers who are obedient to God’s command to love neighbors. (Acts 2 : 44 ~ 47) All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
▶ Untransparent financial management Finance of the Korean Church is not transparent. It is not easy for a giver to know how the money is spent. This seriously damages trust in the 24
church and transparent management should be foundational. (2 Corinthians 8 : 19 ~ 20) What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift.
â–ś Over-sized debt Materialism within church leads to over-sized debt. God warned against debt and condemned excessive spending on beautifying building. Without sound financial policy, the church will face bankruptcy. Korean Church is in dire need to have appropriate financial management. (Luke 21 : 5 ~ 7) Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
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Making : committee of knowing answer Issuance : Youth Association of Lutheran Church in Korea The date of issue : 8 . Jan . 2017