 |
| The increasing number of MOUs (Memorandums of Understanding) made between the established denominations, such as the Presbyterian Church, and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus), which enables the revealed word from Shincheonji to be taught to church congregations worldwide, is being evaluated as unusual as the Word from Shincheonji is now being reflected in church pastors' sermons. In fact, Shincheonji Church of Jesus has signed an inter-denominational MOU with 125 pastors in South Korea over the last year. The photo shows the MOU made with Shincheonji Church of Jesus. |
Overseas church leaders (pastors, evangelists, and preachers) who encountered the ‘revealed word’ through the Bible Seminar of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Chairman ManHee Lee) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to have the revealed theology from Shincheonji Church of Jesus taught to respective church congregations worldwide. Churches have signed MOUs and changed their signboard to Shincheonji. There are also countries that recognise the doctrine of Shincheonji Church of Jesus on a national level.
According to the status of overseas pastoral MOU signings recently announced by Shincheonji Church of Jesus, as of the end of last month, there were 8555 churches in 80 countries that had signed MOUs with Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and the number of members of the churches that signed was 881,159. There are already 1283 churches in 33 countries that have changed their signs to Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and the total number of affiliated pastors is 1472. The number of participants in the lectures of the pastors who signed the MOU is 7804 from 80 countries. Among the 1500 domestic pastors who have attended the Shincheonji Bible Seminar held since the beginning of this year, 282 are taking classes at the Zion Christian Mission Centre, a Shincheonji educational institution, and 5069 pastors from overseas are taking the classes.
This 'Shincheonji craze' that is spreading all over the world seems to have spread to pastors in South Korea as well, leading to a trend of them joining the ranks of signing Bible-based MOUs. Considering the reality of the domestic religious community being extremely wary of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, it is significant that pastors signed an MOU with Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
As a result of a survey conducted among pastors who signed an MOU, more than 90% of pastors responded that they experienced difficulties in pastoral activities due to the absence of the Word. At a time when dereligionisation is accelerating and there are warnings that Protestantism could fall to 10% of the total population in 10 years in the worst case, Korean church pastors who have realised the crisis seem to have belatedly jumped into the ranks of Bible-based MOUs.
Those who regarded Shincheonji Church of Jesus as a cult showed a very different reaction than before after directly encountering the words of Shincheonji. Pastors cited the advantage of Shincheonji's revealed word as being systematic and expressed their desire to properly check and receive help through Bible-based MOUs. In fact, the majority responded that they received great help in preparing sermons, and they are recommending the inter-denominational MOU to surrounding pastors. In addition, these pastors are said to have shown great interest in the secrets of the growth of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which saw an increase of over 40,000 members even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A pastor who signed an MOU with Shincheonji Church of Jesus said at a meeting with Shincheonji pastors and journalists on August 18th, “Unlike regular churches, Shincheonji does not use any arbitrary interpretation or commentaries.” “It is accurate to say that the prophecy has come true and appeared in reality,” he said, adding, “Only the revealed word can change the corruption in the existing religious world.”
Shincheonji Church of Jesus' inter-denominational Bible-based MOU began with a proposal by about 40 African pastors who attended an online seminar for pastors held in August 2022 under the vision of 'We Are One in God.'
No comments:
Post a Comment