Christianity in Korea is declining. Concerns are growing over the 'decrease in the number of church members' proven by statistics announced at the annual general meetings of every church and denomination. Such decline reflects the actual condition of Christianity.

In the midst of this, Christian media has been focusing on Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus), which has grown despite the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In particular, Korean media has emphasised that the growing interest among pastors and believers, both domestically and abroad, in the prophecy and actual fulfilment of Revelation delivered by Shincheonji Church of Jesus is something the Korean church should take more seriously.

On the 14th, the 'Korea Christian Union Newspaper' published a Christian special issue, stating, “The church attendance rate in Korea has been declining since the outset of the Coronavirus pandemic, but in the case of Shincheonji Church, more than 100,000 students had enrolled on its regular Bible education course in the first half of this year alone and watched the online seminars via its official YouTube channel, which is known to have registered a staggering number of views.”

It wrote, “It is understandable why Shincheonji asks viewers to watch until the last video and invites every opportunity for discussion. No one can deny this Word. In light of the words of a pastor who said that it's (Shincheonji Church of Jesus' teaching) not heretical, one should listen and discern for oneself.” It added, “Korean churches say that people should not listen to this doctrine, yet what would require most persuasion is why one should not believe in it.”

The newspaper also pointed out that more than 100,000 students attended the Zion Christian Mission Center operated by Shincheonji in the first half of this year alone, and evaluated that Shincheonji had achieved positive growth during the past three years, at a time of the biggest crisis in Korean church history.

In addition, the newspaper wrote, “Sincere social work, such as the launch and participation in their group blood plasma donation for the development of a treatment for COVID-19 and their voluntary participation in a group blood donation to resolve the blood supply crisis, has altered the global perception of Shincheonji Church.”

The newspaper evaluated, “Their social work seems to have helped contribute to an open environment, where one can hear and verify (Shincheonji Church) for oneself, and has resulted in an increase in student intake, as students realise that its (Shincheonji Church) reality is completely different to the evaluation given by the world's standards.”

It continued, “The Korean church is responding to Shincheonji by simply obstructing and cracking down on it, but through this, inquiries are increasing and requests are being made, such as, ‘I will experience and judge Shincheonji church for myself.’ The Korean church is taking a new direction in responding to Shincheonji, unlike in the past. They would do well to take heed.”

There have also been voices calling on the Korean church to express greater acknowledgment of the growth of Shincheonji.

The newspaper wrote, “In the first half of this year, Shincheonji had 91,000 students in Korea and 35,000 overseas. As of the 6th, there were 105,000 students enrolled.” It added, “It should be noted that the number of churches receiving support in the form of Bible education materials and lecturers from Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, is confirmed to be over 3,000.”