Korean Church celebrates 140th anniversary... ”social trust declines” ”We must restore our true nature”

As the Korean Federation of Churches marks the 140th anniversary of Christianity in Korea, it has reflected on the decline of social trust and vowed to restore its essence and fulfill its responsibilities as a community.
On the 14th, the Korean Federation of Churches held a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, where over 150 people including Korean church leaders and professors from theological universities gathered.
The symposium was held in commemoration of the 140th anniversary of Korean Christianity. The theme of the symposium was "Reflection and Challenges for the Church and Society, and the Future."
He reflected on the 140-year history of the church, reconsidered the role of the church in society, and addressed the changes and challenges facing the future.
In his opening remarks, Pastor Seo Gang-seok, head of the committee, said, "Today's symposium is a place to reflect on 140 years of Korean Christianity and to make decisions looking ahead to the next 150 to 160 years.
"I hope that this will be a time for the Korean church to take to heart the insights expressed in his messages and comments and to be reborn as one that once again shines with the light of the Gospel."
In addition, Rev. Kim Jeong-hyeok of the National Christian Council of Korea gave a keynote speech, saying, "We must face today's reality and understand our essence and mission.
"The Korean church today is placing more importance on external growth, the expansion of churches, program-centered administration, and humanistic secularization than on the essence of the gospel.
Pastor Kim continued, "The moral aberrations of some leaders, the unclear financial management, the divisions within the church, and the allegations and accusations that have been made public through the media have led to a loss of social trust in the church."
He pointed out that the number of Christians who believe in the Gospel has been gradually declining, and said, "We must demonstrate that the Gospel goes beyond individual salvation and is a communal ability to realize justice, peace, understanding and restoration."
"We must change from a 'Church that gives life' to a 'Community that has the mission of spreading the Gospel and the responsibility to embody it.'"