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GA06047
Polity Committee recommends support without separation for Korean-speaking Presbyterians
by Shane Whisler
BIRMINGHAM, June 17 * After reconsidering its first action, the Church Polity committee is recommending that the Assembly address a request for a Korean-language synod, while being mindful of the urgent need to build a truly multicultural denomination.
On Friday, the committee initially recommended approval of an overture by Midwest Hanmi Presbytery to conduct a feasibility study for establishing a Korean American synod. Saturday morning, however, commissioners reconsidered the issue, eventually drafting a different recommendation and comment.
The committee voted 36-11 to recommend that the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, the stated clerk and the Office of the General Assembly work with two groups of Korean Presbyterian leaders to bring proposals to the 218th General Assembly (2008) "that would strengthen the witness of Korean-language governing bodies and provide better means for their connection with other governing bodies in the wider mission of the church."
The accompanying comment specifies six areas to consider, including the church's unity, diversity, structure, women's ministry and partnership with persons of all ethnicities.
Several Korean American Presbyterian leaders expressed deep concern about the decline of the PC(USA), a church they love and want to support. They also seek a larger structure to facilitate the rapidly growing Korean-language congregations, which have grown over the last 30 years to more than 400, with a goal of 500 congregations by 2010.
Commissioners worried that launching such a study might set a precedent, leading many ethnic or affinity groups to do the same.
"Creating a separate synod based on ethnicity would open the door to Pandora's box," said Tres Adams III, a theological student advisory delegate from Pittsburgh Seminary.
Minister commissioner Mark Lomax from Greater Atlanta Presbytery said granting a study for Korean-speaking Presbyterians and pursuing closer multicultural connections are not necessarily mutually exclusive propositions.
"We need to look for a way for both of these things to happen," Lomax said, adding that churchwide multicultural growth is just starting. "I think what we are proposing will bring us to that place sooner rather than later."
The Rev. Syngman Rhee, moderator of the 212th General Assembly (2000), was asked to describe the history of the non-geographic Korean-language presbyteries first established in 1983. Rhee said the goal was to nurture Korean immigrants, not to create a permanent structure.
"I appreciate the commissioner's concern," he said, with a nod toward Adams. "If we create this, then what is next?"
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