In response to the 'Shincheonji Bible Seminar: Testimony on the Fulfillment of Revelation' held on three occasions, in Seoul on the 22nd April, Busan on the 30th, and Daejeon on the 6th May, pastors who attended the event have spoken unexpectedly. It was recently officially announced by Shincheonji Church of Jesus that 287 Korean church pastors and 860 churches in 82 countries signed MOUs to have the word from Shincheonji taught to wider church congregations.
At the Shincheonji Bible Seminar, pastors of all ages from all over South Korea gathered to listen to the lecture on the fulfilment of Revelation testified by Shincheonji Chairman Man-hee Lee.
According to a press release issued by Shincheonji immediately after the inaugural Bible Seminar held in Seoul, among the 500 or so ministers who attended the Bible Seminar, the majority were pastors (60.9%). This was followed by elders (26%), evangelists (5.6%), and seminary students (4.6%). The denominations in attendance were also diverse: Presbyterians accounted for the highest with 69.1%, followed by Methodists with 7.43%, Full Gospel Church with 3.6%, and Holiness Church with 2.5%.
The Shincheonji Bible Seminar, which concludes on the 13th in Incheon, is expected to have considerable repercussions in the religious community. One pastor in attendance even posed the question, “Shouldn’t we think about the way in which the Korean church accepts Shincheonji and gather to discuss incorrect theological teachings and, as members of the Korean church, all carry out the work of the kingdom together?”
In Korea, the Protestant Church is struggling to remain afloat. Even after social distancing was lifted, the majority of churches have closed due to a lack of members. Pastor A, who led a medium-sized church with 300 members in Seoul, said that he transitioned to online church service as the participation rate at on-site worship was lower than that of online worship. He said, “I was looking forward to a period of recovery, but I couldn’t sleep at night because the main hall was empty even on weekends.”
In contrast, the growth of Shincheonji Church of Jesus is showing an upward trend with a 100,000 graduation in November 2019, immediately before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by 20,000 graduates in 2020 and 2021, and another 100,000 graduation in November 2022 with 106,186 graduates.
As to the reason for Shincheonji Church's exponential growth, several pastors who attended the Bible Seminar came to a consensus on the reason.
“Shincheonji (New Heaven, New Earth) is a church created according to the Word at the time of the fulfilment of the Book of Revelation. It is written that God, Jesus, and Heaven will come to the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21).”
Prior to the Daejeon Bible Seminar, Shincheonji Chairman Man-hee Lee held a press conference and emphasised the secret to Shincheonji's growth despite the general decline of religion. The response was, 'It is possible because the word is here'. What is most important in the growth of ministry is the Word, and it is clear that pastors are reaching out to Shincheonji.
This Bible Seminar has served as an opportunity to confirm the importance of the Book of Revelation and to break existing prejudices against Shincheonji. There are not a few pastors who have applied for follow-up education.
In order for the church to survive, it must strive to know by reflecting on what church members really want, listen with a humble heart, and strive to grow.
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'Direct Lecture by Chairman Man-hee Lee' held in Busan
Pastors who attended the Shincheonji Open Bible Seminar react enthusiastically
Pastors attending the Shincheonji Open Bible Seminar, “Chairman Man-hee Lee's testimony of the entire Book of Revelation is amazing”
Shincheonji Chairman Man-hee Lee attends 'Shincheonji Bible Seminar: Testimony on the Fulfillment of Revelation'
I have never heard of a seminar quite like this before!
ReplyDeleteIf God is coming there then I need to learn as well!
ReplyDelete