wfn.org | Korean church pursues its mission despite economic difficulties

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

Offerings decrease, people seek ways to help one another

SEOUL, Korea/GENEVA, 8 June 1999 (lwi) - Despite great financial
difficulties, the Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK) is committed to pursue
its mission and theological education programs.

According to information received from News from LCK, on the overall
congregations report that offerings are down by about one-third but they
also talk of increased closeness as people seek ways to help one another
and their neighbors. With an unemployment rate of approximately ten
percent and an increasingly weak national currency, Korea's economic
pressure is also reflected in the church.

The LCK's 1998 report shows 28 Lutheran congregations, seven of which
have total budgets of more than 80 million won (USD 66,600) each and 14
which are self-supporting but with budgets less than 80 million won. The
remaining seven congregations, five of which are new missions started in
the last five years, receive help to meet their needs and pastors'
salaries.

The LCK News reports that the small church body continues to support its
mission outreach "through great struggle" which involves cuts in staff
and salaries and greatly curtailing the programs of the Korea Lutheran
Hour and Concordia Publishing. However, one of the main challenges
remains finding placement for the nine men now serving as vicars and
three evangelists who will be ordained in the next two years. Some will
be ready to start new missions but funding is not assured.

Last October, the LCK held its 28th Assembly in Seoul. The church is
seeking funds to begin new congregations in the next few years in order
to achieve its goal of 50 LCK congregations by 2008.

Other challenges include finding funds to complete the Luther building
in the capital city which was started before Korea's economic crunch, to
finish paying for a new building at the Luther Theological University
(LTU) and to furnish its classrooms and library as well as maintaining
dedicated teaching of the students enrolled at the institution.

A member of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the LCK has 3,115
members.

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Lutheran World Information
Assistant Editor, English: Pauline Mumia
E-mail: pmu@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/