wfn.org | Korean conference petition considered

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

SEARCH: United Methodist Church, Korean-American, General
Conference, gender

005 {2868}                                         April 17, 1996

General Conference '96

Korean conference proposal
now before legislative committee

     DENVER (UMNS) -- Reports of a gender war over a United
Methodist General Conference proposal to create three Korean-
American missionary conferences have been "blown out of
proportion," according to Korean caucus representatives.

     The Rev. Chongho Kim told United Methodist News Service that
while some Korean churches and leaders have discriminated against
women in the past, he believes the proposal will "better empower"
both women and younger Korean leaders.

     The caucus -- officially known as the National Association
of Korean American United Methodist Churches -- submitted the
petition being considered by the Conferences Legislative
Committee.

     It requests that missionary conferences be established in
the Northeastern, North Central and Western jurisdictions as a
way to help Korean-American congregations fully participate in
the church. As of 1994, there were 295 such congregations.

     Kim said an amendment to reduce the number of missionary
conferences from three to one is expected to be introduced in
committee, with caucus support.

     That amendment is in response to concerns by other Asian
United Methodist groups that the Koreans will be over-represented
by three conferences, he added.

     The Korean American Clergywomen's Association has continued
to oppose the missionary conference proposal. Among its
objections are issues of isolation and separation, future
leadership opportunities and lack of involvement of women and
laity.

     "Realities based on past experiences do not provide women a
basis for trust of male-dominant Korean-American churches ... "
the association has stated.

     The clergywomen are asking General Conference to turn down
the proposal and instead request the National Committee on
Korean-American Ministries to conduct a "need-resource analysis"
among the "grassroots."

     The Board of Global Ministries' National Division also has
declined to endorse the missionary conference proposal, although
it has adopted an alternate plan for assistance.

     Kim and another Korean caucus member, the Rev. Daniel Shin,
said they, too, initially opposed the proposal but now consider
it the best way to facilitate Korean congregations and pastors
struggling with language and cultural differences.

     Shin added that the Transgeneration Ministry of Korean-
American United Methodists, representing about 100 younger
pastors, now endorses the missionary conference concept.

     "We decided to support this proposal not because it is
perfect but because we can build something meaningful," he
explained. "It's about self-determination."

     Both men expressed concern that the defection of fledgling
mission churches from the United Methodist umbrella to the
Overseas Missionary Conference of the Korean Methodist Church or
to other denominations will accelerate if a better support system
is not adopted.

                             #  #  #
                                                    --Linda Bloom
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