The Church That Confers Money, Honour, and Power:

Catalysts for Hereditary Succession of Head Minister in South Korean Churches

Image provided by Professor Gil-Soo Han

Prof. Gil-Soo Han Director, Master of Communications & Media Studies School of Media, Film & Journalism, Monash University, Australia

Monday, October 28, 2024
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Dodd Hall, Rm 161

Along with the compressed economic development of South Korea, Korean churches grew exponentially till the mid-1990s. Enjoying the affluent Korean economy, Koreans have more disposable income, and the churches have become wealthier, which led them to deviate further from what they do and who they are. One notable phenomenon is that a significant number of churches completed the hereditary succession of head ministership. This article analyses news reports published between 2000 and 2022 to ascertain socio-cultural and economic factors, internal and external to the churches, to stimulate the phenomenon. Data analysis shows that Korean churches have blatantly conflated into the surrounding secular “Culture” to gain profane benefits—money, honour, and power, downplaying the importance of following “Christ” (Niebuhr 1951). In a slow economy, it is difficult for the head ministers to give up the “church that lays the golden egg.” Undemocratic decision-making, gender inequality, indigenized Confucianism, and shamanistic spirituality seeking prosperity have also been the catalysts.

Dongsoon Im and Mija Im Korean Christianity Colloquium

Sponsor(s): Center for Korean Studies