ABSTRACT
Church growth from the viewpoint
of Kingdom of God
Park, Kwan Yong
Master of Divinity
Seoul Theological Seminary
Seoul Theological University
The purpose of this thesis is to present right theology of church growth according to theological demonstration. Since Gospel was propagated, Ko...
ABSTRACT
Church growth from the viewpoint
of Kingdom of God
Park, Kwan Yong
Master of Divinity
Seoul Theological Seminary
Seoul Theological University
The purpose of this thesis is to present right theology of church growth according to theological demonstration. Since Gospel was propagated, Korean churches have grown fast. Recently, however, numerous problems which exist on the quantitative growth threat our church. Recent crises both inside and outside the Korean church are also related to this reason. In other words, excessive pursuit to quantitative growth has destroyed the identity of church.
Why do these circumstances happen? Above all, theological understanding about growth of church has been absent. Meanwhile, Church has regarded growth as something quantitative, phenomenal, and methodological one: The goal of each church, which should be achieved by all means. Though, this biased understanding about church growth makes church worship 'growth itself' like an idol. Furthermore, it has church experience to spiritual decline.
In order to solve this problem, theological introspection should be preceded than individual and each church's efforts. It would be better to stand the growth of church from the foundation substantially. Especially, this thesis suggests the concept, ‘Kingdom of God' as a theological foundation of church growth.
Why does church have to grow on the Kingdom of God? Because Kingdom of God is the main theme of Scripture, the Gospel of Jesus and church, and the mission which remains to the church. Most of all, church is based on the Kingdom of God's Gospel. Therefore, church growth without theological foundation about Kingdom of God could not be a right one, even it could not be called 'church's growth.'
So as to discuss the relationship between church growth and the Kingdom of God, this thesis gives two general descriptions. First, it deals with general misunderstanding about Kingdom of God and the right, theological understanding, and then it attempts to make bibical understanding about relationship between church and the Kingdom of God, based on former discussion. In addition, it traces how 'church growth' appeared, how it has affected to practical ministerial field, also the details, why it distorted, and its limitations. Lastly, it inquires church growth theologists' theories which try to overcome the limitation of its early version, and it sheds light on their characteristics and significances.
According to them, church growth is not a biased, but a overall phenomenon. That is, 'natural growth' not by methodological, but by living church, 'wholistic growth' not only quantitative one but also something including various fields, 'a growth given by identity of church' which exist not as an program, but as a missional community. To pursue biased and distorted growth with ignoring this truth corresponds risks to destroy the Gospel and identity of church.
Even in this generation which is called 'the crisis of church', God still wants his churches to grow well. Therefore, church has to grow and also it can be possible. But it should grow in right way. It starts with the Gospel of God's kingdom, not methodology or program of each church. Thus, from now on, Korean church should avoid the grow pattern which centers quantity, methodology, and results, pursue wholistic growth which centers on Kingdom of God. By growing in this way, church will be able to stand firmly as a sign of Kingdom of God and as a contrast society.
ABSTRACT
Church growth from the viewpoint
of Kingdom of God
Park, Kwan Yong
Master of Divinity
Seoul Theological Seminary
Seoul Theological University
The purpose of this thesis is to present right theology of church growth according to theological demonstration. Since Gospel was propagated, Korean churches have grown fast. Recently, however, numerous problems which exist on the quantitative growth threat our church. Recent crises both inside and outside the Korean church are also related to this reason. In other words, excessive pursuit to quantitative growth has destroyed the identity of church.
Why do these circumstances happen? Above all, theological understanding about growth of church has been absent. Meanwhile, Church has regarded growth as something quantitative, phenomenal, and methodological one: The goal of each church, which should be achieved by all means. Though, this biased understanding about church growth makes church worship 'growth itself' like an idol. Furthermore, it has church experience to spiritual decline.
In order to solve this problem, theological introspection should be preceded than individual and each church's efforts. It would be better to stand the growth of church from the foundation substantially. Especially, this thesis suggests the concept, ‘Kingdom of God' as a theological foundation of church growth.
Why does church have to grow on the Kingdom of God? Because Kingdom of God is the main theme of Scripture, the Gospel of Jesus and church, and the mission which remains to the church. Most of all, church is based on the Kingdom of God's Gospel. Therefore, church growth without theological foundation about Kingdom of God could not be a right one, even it could not be called 'church's growth.'
So as to discuss the relationship between church growth and the Kingdom of God, this thesis gives two general descriptions. First, it deals with general misunderstanding about Kingdom of God and the right, theological understanding, and then it attempts to make bibical understanding about relationship between church and the Kingdom of God, based on former discussion. In addition, it traces how 'church growth' appeared, how it has affected to practical ministerial field, also the details, why it distorted, and its limitations. Lastly, it inquires church growth theologists' theories which try to overcome the limitation of its early version, and it sheds light on their characteristics and significances.
According to them, church growth is not a biased, but a overall phenomenon. That is, 'natural growth' not by methodological, but by living church, 'wholistic growth' not only quantitative one but also something including various fields, 'a growth given by identity of church' which exist not as an program, but as a missional community. To pursue biased and distorted growth with ignoring this truth corresponds risks to destroy the Gospel and identity of church.
Even in this generation which is called 'the crisis of church', God still wants his churches to grow well. Therefore, church has to grow and also it can be possible. But it should grow in right way. It starts with the Gospel of God's kingdom, not methodology or program of each church. Thus, from now on, Korean church should avoid the grow pattern which centers quantity, methodology, and results, pursue wholistic growth which centers on Kingdom of God. By growing in this way, church will be able to stand firmly as a sign of Kingdom of God and as a contrast society.
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