wfn.org | Korean Church leader suggests « ecumenical tithing »

["Franziska Surber" <Franziska.Surber@warc.ch>]

>World Alliance of Reformed Churches
>News Release
>5 June 2009

KoreanChurchleader suggests « ecumenical tithing »

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) has told
members of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) that he
believes churches should be motivated to engage in a movement for
“ecumenical tithing”.

Referring to the Christian tradition of church members giving
ten percent of their earnings to the church, Sam Hwan Kim says,
“It’s a matter of putting one’s money where one’s faith is.”

Kim issued his call for member churches to express a “spirit of
ecumenical tithing” in their giving during an address delivered
in Geneva on 30 May at a WARC-sponsored seminar on the impact
today of the early Reformation leader, John Calvin.

“Churches should be encouraged not to merely give what is left
over after having cared for their own priority first, but to
respect the significance and meaning of the ecumenism and first
commit their resources to the ecumenical movement.”

The Korean pastor and church leader was speaking to WARC’s
Executive Committee and a group of 73 Reformed church Christians
from more than 20 countries.  They were in Geneva to participate
in celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the birth of John
Calvin.  

Kim was accompanied in Geneva by the general secretary of PCK,
Seong Gi Cho, and a group of church pastors and elders.

He leads the largest Presbyterian church in Korea, is committed
to faithfully carrying out God’s mission in Korea and beyond and
making a difference in society.  He believes his church is
financially strong because of its practice of tithing. 

“It is not because Korea as a nation is economically strong,”
says Kim.

In a gesture affirming PCK’s commitment to ecumenism, Kim
presented WARC with a financial contribution in the form of a
“John Calvin Birthday Gift” on behalf of Myung Sung
Presbyterian Church of Seoul, Korea where he is the senior
pastor.

WARC’s general secretary, Setri Nyomi, in acknowledging the gift
and the large presence of Koreans at the seminar said, “WARC is
grateful for the active participation of the PCK and the
Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea(PROK).  The energy,
commitment and ideas of Korean churches in support of God’s
mission in the world and ecumenism give fresh hope and impetus
both to WARC and the broader ecumenical movement.”

Twenty-five percent of Koreans are Christian.  Of these 60%
belong to Presbyterian churches.  PCK and PROK who participated
in the Calvin jubilee celebrations in Geneva, are two of four
WARC member churches in Korea.  

WARC represents 75 million Christians through its 213 member
churches in 107 countries.  Two-thirds of its members are in the
Global South.  The organization is known for its advocacy for
economic and social justice and environmental protection. In June
2010 it will merge with the Reformed Ecumenical Council to form
the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

>***

>Contact:
>Kristine Greenaway
>Executive Secretary, Communications
>World Alliance of Reformed Churches
>150 Route de Ferney
>P.O. Box 2100
>1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
>tel.  +41.22 791 62 43 
>fax: +41.22 791 65 05
>web: www.warc.ch ( http://www.warc.ch/ )
>e-mail: kgr@warc.ch