Author : Jun Kim
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 444 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (613 download)
Book Synopsis Family Ministry in a Korean Immigrant Congregation by : Jun Kim
Download or read book Family Ministry in a Korean Immigrant Congregation written by Jun Kim and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 444 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: Though Korean congregations occupy a central place in the lives of Korean immigrants, previous literature has not examined their role in supporting families. By engaging in the descriptive, theological, and strategic work of practical theological investigation, this dissertation employs sociological, psychological, and theological perspectives to investigate how one Korean immigrant congregation supports its families. An examination of current literature on the importance and roles of Korean congregations provides background to the study. This is followed by a review of models of congregational family ministry, arguing that effective forms of ministry require understanding the specific needs of a congregation's families, as well as the local congregation's theological views. Practical theology provides the method for this study's effort to analyze the needs of Korean families and the way their congregation ministers to them. A congregation well known for addressing family needs was selected for study, using observation of church events, interviews with families and leaders, and analysis of sermons and other church documents. The study looked for the key theological themes embedded in the congregation's practices. It was found that the case congregation's family worship service and educational ministry aim to resolve generational tensions in families. Its mode for doing so is shaped by its theological conviction of God's call to global mission, emphasizing cross-generational involvement in missions. Using family life-cycle theory, this dissertation analyzes the needs and stresses of the families of the congregation's youth group, showing how the congregation's ministries do and do not support immigrant families. The congregation's emphasis on global mission rests on key biblical texts that are often heard from the pulpit. A fuller understanding of those texts reveals a theme of God's compassion, a theme that might deepen this church's family ministry. Drawing upon yet extending Heinz Kohut's interpretation of empathy in the light of the theological notion of believer's union with Christ, then, a normative vision of congregational care toward an "empathic community" provides the base for concrete suggestions for the case congregation's ministry. The dissertation ends with implications for researchers and practitioners in the fields of the Korean-American church, pastoral and clinical care, and congregational studies.