Next WCC Assembly already impacts Korea churches positively

The prospect of hosting the next Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has already impacted Korean Churches with greater opportunity to strengthen inter-denominational co-operation; as evident in the recent thanksgiving service.

Rt Rev. Dr Kim Sam-whan, the president of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) was quoted as saying: "It is a gift from God to strengthen the Korean ecumenical movement, while at the same time it is a call from God to serve in humility the wider ecumenical movement worldwide."

A news release from WCC stated that the thanksgiving service was attended by more than 1,000 participants from various Christian confessions. It was held in Seoul on 16 September for welcoming WCC Assembly to be hosted by the country in Busan city in 2013.

Not only the Christian leaders, the statement said, but also representatives of the government, including the chairman of the Korean Congress, the chief justice of the Supreme Court and the prime minister attended the event, WCC Wednesday news release stated. "They added their own words of encouragement to the many congratulatory messages presented throughout the day," it stated.

Korean President Lee Myung-bak, in his message, was quoted by WCC as saying that in preparing for the Assembly "the church in Korea will exemplify maturity through its cooperation and unity".

Many voices expressed joy and the conviction that the Assembly is a divinely given opportunity for furthering the visible unity of the church, the statement said.

Rev. Park Jong-soon, who preached during the service, emphasized the call to be one as he quoted from Jesus' prayer for his disciples, that "they may all be one" (John 17:21).

Rev. Dr Cho Yong-ki, of the Yoido Full Gospel Church, stated that "this is an opportunity for the Korean churches to serve the world churches". He expressed hope that it will also be a catalyst "for the Korean churches to work for the glory of God's Kingdom, transcending denominational and confessional boundaries".

Archbishop Kim Hee-joong, chairman of the Committee on Church Unity of the Korean Bishop's Conference said the Catholic Church in Korea will "contribute its prayers and support so that the fruits of the Assembly can contribute to fostering world peace and greater unity among churches around the world."

Prime Minister Han Seung-soo stated that "the coming of the WCC to Korea symbolizes the significant standing of the Korean churches in the world and as such the Korean government will lend its full support in making the forthcoming Assembly a resounding success".

In a videotaped message the outgoing WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia told the audience that he wanted to thank them "wholeheartedly" for issuing their invitation.

"The Busan Assembly will be a unique opportunity for churches around the world to encounter the vitality of the churches in Korea, to experience a new horizon of ecumenical cooperation and to join the deep, abiding witness of the Korean churches for peace and reconciliation", Kobia stated in an earlier letter of congratulation.

The mayor of Busan stated that the city "stands ready to welcome with open hearts the participants of the WCC Assembly". He ensured the city's support for the Assembly "to be successful in all respects".

The host city Busan, also known as Pusan is a metropolitan city and is the largest port city in South Korea. Busan has a population of 3.4 million; it is South Korea's second largest metropolis, after Seoul, the capital.

Busan was the host city of the 2002 Asian Games and APEC 2005 Korea. It was also one of the host cities for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and is a center for international conventions in Korea.

According to WCC, Christians make up 41 percent of the 48 million South Koreans. Buddhists make up 20 percent, Confucianists 11 percent; and others 28 percent.

Protestants are the largest denomination with 8.8 million, followed by Independents with 8.1 million, Catholics are about 4.4 million, Anglicans are about 80,000 and Orthodox about 5,700 in the Republic of Korea.

The thanksgiving service was hosted by the Preparatory Committee for Korea's Bid to Host the WCC Assembly. The NCCK said will form the Korean WCC 10th Assembly Planning Committee in October 2009.

"Judging from the energy and enthusiasm that emanated from the 16 September event, Korea is getting ready to welcome the world with one heart, one body, and one spirit," the news release stated.