A study of mission policies in the Presbyterian church of Korea (P.C.K.: Tonghap)

Abstract

Christianity originated in the land of Asia, along with other major world religion. In spite of many missionary endeavors in Asia on the part of the Catholic and Protestant Church, the Christian gospel is not yet deeply rooted in Asia. Approximately 98% of Asian population still remains to be evangelized. This poor rate of Christian population is primarily due to the fact that traditional Asian religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism. Islam, and Confucianism have long dominated the mind of Asian people. Furthermore, Christianity has been imprinted in their mind as an imperialistic, western religion. Political turmoil, conservative traditional culture, emergence of radical ideologies, and nationalistic movement can also be considered as other reasons to prevent Christianity from further development. Mission in Asia is an utmost concern for the world church. Half of world population lives in Asia, and most of them are far away from the gospel. Evangelization of the whole world is impossible without evangelizing Asia. The Korean church has been greatly concerned with mission from her beginning stage. With a rapid growth, the Korean church is presently performing remarkable missionary works in Asia as well as in the whole world. Yet the way in which mission in Asia is undertaken has been exposed to many problems. In response, this thesis aims to establish effective mission policies in Asia. In order for the Korean church to perform her missionary task more effectively in the forthcoming 21st century, there has to be a concrete set of mission policies toward Asian countries. Thus it is necessary for us to review the history of mission of the Korean Presbyterian Church (Yejang-Tonghap, the denomination to which I belong) in general. I will then seek to establish a holistic theology of mission by drawing on biblical theological perspectives and the dynamic concept of mission. This will lead us to reflect our reality of missionary works in Asia while offering alternative mission policies. I will also deal with some practical ways in which on-site missionaries can develop a theology of education as it matches in their practical setting. In the conclusion, I will envision a better future for mission in Asia as my denomination plans further to undertake mission projects in Asia.