Pause here for a moment. Let me tell you about the GyungHyang Presbyterian Church. This church stands as a testament to Korean Presbyterianism’s complex history.
The GyungHyang Presbyterian Church is part of a larger story. It’s a story of faith, division and ultimately, growth. To understand this church we must understand the Presbyterian Church in Korea.
In the 1950s, the Presbyterian Church in Korea faced many challenges. Schisms arose from disagreements over theology, ecumenism and how worship should be conducted. One major point of contention was bowing to the Shinto shrine during Japan’s rule. Some Christians strongly opposed this. They believed it violated biblical teachings.
After Korea’s liberation, those who opposed Shinto shrine worship formed Koryo Theological Seminary. This later became the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin) in 1951.
Another division occurred in 1953. Progressives separated and created the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea. In 1959, a third schism divided the Presbyterian Church of Korea into two groups. These were the Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong).
The main issue? Whether to join the World Council of Churches (WCC). Park Hyun-nyon led the formation of the evangelical “HapDong”. This group opposed WCC affiliation. Those favoring WCC relations formed the ecumenical “TongHap”. Today, TongHap and Hapdong are the largest factions within Korean Presbyterianism.
Hapdong was the more conservative group. Its doctrinal stance allowed it to unite briefly with the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin) in 1960. However, some Koshin churches separated again after a few years. In 1961, another group left to form the Bible Presbyterian Church. This was later named the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Daeshin).
In 1979, another division occurred. Kim Hee Bo advocated for the historical-critical approach to the Pentateuch. The church split into mainline and non-mainline groups.
Despite these divisions, the Hapdong branch grew significantly in the 1990s. By the early 2000s, it became South Korea’s largest denomination. It boasted over 2.2 million members and thousands of congregations.
Hapdong adheres to historic Presbyterian Confessions. These include the Apostles’ Creed and the Westminster Confession of Faith. The church traditionally did not ordain women. However, in 2024, it approved preaching rights for female ministers.
Hapdong maintains a firm stance against homosexuality. It declares it anti-biblical and unethical. The church also opposes anti-discrimination laws. It worries about the violation of freedom of conscience and religion.
The Chongshin University and Chongshin Seminary are Hapdong’s official educational institutions. They train future pastors.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea’s Global Missions Society supports evangelism. It has over 2,500 missionaries worldwide.
However, the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong) has faced controversies. One involves Pastor Kim Myung-jin of Light and Truth Church. He and other leaders were sentenced to prison for abusive discipleship training.
Despite these challenges, the GyungHyang Presbyterian Church reflects the resilience. It also reflects the dedication of Korean Presbyterians. It stands as a place of worship and a symbol of faith.