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A 1996 General Conference-mandated task force recommends strengthening the role of Korean American clergywomen in the ministry of Korean American churches. The proposal was submitted to the upcoming General Conference of The United Methodist Church as part of a report of the General Conference Task Force on Korean American Ministries. This is a time of transition for the Korean American United Methodist Church. The language of ministry is shifting from solely Korean to bilingual. Korean American women are entering the ranks of local church pastors, a position traditionally viewed as primarily a man's domain, according to the report. A challenge faced within the Korean American United Methodist community is to understand the spiritual gifts which Korean American women clergy possess, and to accept them as pastors in charge of Korean language churches, the report continues. Of the 500 Korean American pastors, over 90 are women but fewer than 10 percent of them serve in Korean- language churches. "There has been concern about this issue for a long time," says the Rev. Youngsook Kang, president of the National Association of Korean American United Methodist Clergywomen, adding, "I hope to see this proposal passed." The Rev. In-sook Hwang, a member of the task force and past president of the association feels very hopeful that the proposal, when passed, will make a difference for the women pastors. She urges that the appointment process take seriously its role of matching the quality, experiences, and gifts of the women with the needs of the churches. There has been a lack of support from the cabinet level, says Hwang. The churches are not ready, they say, to receive female pastors. "We feel that if they don't start, the churches won't be ready. . . . There should be some ways to work it out if there is an intention to put female pastors in Korean language churches." "I don't know when it will change," comments the Rev. Hi Rho Park, pastor of Salem United Methodist Church in Baltimore and delegate to the General Conference. "It is very hard to break tradition and culture. . . . We need the cooperation of Korean men clergy. Without their cooperation, understanding, and support, I don't think it will happen." But according to the Rev. Jong Sung Kim, executive secretary for Asian-American and Pacific Islander Ministries of the General Board of Global Ministries, there is an overwhelming consensus among Korean American United Methodists to support the report of the task force. "The plan will enable us to be very intentional about exploring ways for Korean American clergywomen to be in Korean language ministries," says Kim. "It will provide us with resources for developing models of ministry." The report further recommends a comprehensive approach to advancing United Methodist ministries among Korean Americans, who comprise a total membership of around 100,000. Aside from concern for clergywomen, the proposals of the task force include a program of leadership development for clergy and laity; establishing new congregations and campus ministries; strengthening mission congregations; recruiting young people for future leadership in the church; and creating resources to support Korean American ministries. March 21, 2000 |