Ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the passage of ordination as a female pastor by the Presbyterian Church of Korea
Interview with Kim Eun-kyung, former Chairman of the General Assembly
Last month, a ceremony was held at hyangrin Church in Jongno-gu, Seoul to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of female pastors by the Presbyterian Church of Korea (hereinafter referred to as Pastor Sang-gyu park, President and General Assembly). The Presbyterian Church is the largest denomination, accounting for about 60% of domestic Christianity, and in 1974, Gijang was the first Presbyterian-affiliated denomination to introduce ordaining female pastors. However, even after 50 years, inequality against women still remains in the religious world. Former Gijang President Kim Eun-kyung (pastor of Iksan Central Church in Jeollabuk-do), who served as the first female president among Korean Presbyterian denominations in 2021, said, “It’s a shameful story, but there are churches that should be the most reformative and still do not allow female pastors, so there are places where there are more changes than the general society. “There are a lot of slow parts,” he said.
Former President Kim said, “Some of the large domestic denominations still do not allow female pastors, and some even say that women who want to become pastors should go to other denominations.” He added, “Our company does not hire women, so women who want to work at other companies can do so.” “Is this any different from telling me to go to?” he pointed out. He also said, “To rationalize their argument, they said, ‘Women should be silent in church. They are not permitted to speak… “It is also a very poor excuse to cite Bible verses such as Apostle Paul’s letter, ‘It is shameful for women to speak in church’ (1 Corinthians 14:34-35),” he said. It is wrong to interpret it literally without considering the situation at the time and the context of the text, but the pastor is a person who promised to follow the path taken by jesus Christ, so is it right to do the opposite?
Former President Kim said, “Nowadays, the number of denominations that have introduced a system for ordaining female pastors has increased considerably, but even if the system exists, in reality, it is still tough for women to work as pastors and evangelists.” In Gijangdo, which has the largest number of female pastors among major denominations, women currently only make up 15.4% (499 people) of all pastors. There are many reasons, but giving birth and raising children is one of the difficulties.
He said, “Evangelists usually work as contract workers, but if they become pregnant, the church usually does not extend their contract. Since there is almost no paid leave system for maternity, it is not easy for female pastors.” For this reason,he recommended the introduction of a paid maternity leave system during his term as president of the General Assembly,and tried to prevent career interruption due to pregnancy from being a condition for discrimination in calling for pastors,but he said it was not easy to enforce it uniformly because each church’s financial and other circumstances were different. I complained. Former General Assembly President Kim said, “It takes nearly 10 years to be ordained as a pastor, and in the process, when you become pregnant and give birth, a lot of worries and conflicts arise.” He added, “The women who are currently working as ministers, including female pastors, really put in their passion and soul. “It is indeed no exaggeration to say that there is,” he said.
He said that it was unfortunate that these stories mainly took place outside the church, not inside.
“When announcing a call for a pastor on a church website, etc., there are places that explicitly request a health certificate and a confession of faith from the pastor’s wife. it is indeed a discriminatory act that has nothing to do with pastor evaluation, but it is not publicly stated after female pastors pointed out the problem. Though, it is indeed true that such a culture still exists when making private invitations.”
Former Chairman Kim said, “The church will change only if we talk about the problems the church has, such as gender discrimination, with believers within the church, but honestly, there are not many places that provide such a space.” “I hope we ask ourselves whether we are out of line,” he said.
Reporter Lee Jin-gu [email protected]
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What are the main challenges faced by female pastors in the Presbyterian Church of Korea?
Time.news Interview: The Struggle and Progress of Female Pastors in the Presbyterian Church of Korea
Date: [Insert Date]
Location: [Insert Location]
Interviewer (time.news Editor): Good afternoon,everyone! Today,we have the honor of speaking with Kim Eun-kyung,the former Chairman of the General Assembly and a pivotal figure in the movement for the ordination of female pastors in the Presbyterian Church of Korea. Kim, thank you for joining us today.
Kim Eun-kyung: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss this crucial topic.
Interviewer: last month marked the 50th anniversary of the ordination of female pastors in your denomination. What emotions did you experience during the commemorative ceremony at Hyangrin Church?
Kim Eun-kyung: It was a bittersweet moment for me. While it was a celebration of progress, it also served as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges women face within the church. Even after 50 years, the hurdles still exist.
Interviewer: You mentioned in your remarks that, despite the historical significance, manny churches still resist change. Can you elaborate on this?
Kim Eun-kyung: Certainly. It’s frustrating to see that some denominations, which should ideally lead reform, still do not permit female pastors. In fact, some churches actively suggest that women interested in ministry seek opportunities elsewhere. This viewpoint is not only outdated but fundamentally unfair.
Interviewer: You highlighted a meaningful issue regarding the treatment of women evangelists who become pregnant. Can you explain how this affects their roles and careers?
Kim Eun-kyung: Absolutely. Unfortunately, many churches do not renew contracts for female evangelists after they become pregnant. The lack of a paid maternity leave system exacerbates the situation, leading to a cycle where women feel torn between their calling and family obligations. This has resulted in a dramatic underrepresentation of women, with only about 15.4% of pastors being female, despite this denomination ordaining female pastors for decades.
Interviewer: This raises the question of work-life balance in religious vocations. How have you advocated for improvements in this area?
Kim Eun-kyung: During my tenure as president, I strongly advocated for the establishment of a paid maternity leave policy. I believed it was essential to address the discrimination that can arise from pregnancy. Still, implementing this uniformly proved challenging due to varying financial circumstances across churches.
Interviewer: You’ve emphasized the passion and dedication of female ministers. What do you believe motivates these women to continue despite the obstacles?
Kim Eun-kyung: The motivation stems from their deep calling to serve and their unwavering faith. Many female ministers genuinely pour their souls into their work, despite the significant challenges. Their contributions are invaluable to the community, yet they frequently enough work in a system that does not adequately support them.
Interviewer: You also tackled the topic of scriptural interpretations that have been used to justify restrictions on women in church. What is your perspective on this?
Kim Eun-kyung: It is crucial to interpret scripture within its historical and cultural context. To quote Apostle Paul’s letters without this context ignores the evolution of faith and practice. Being a pastor should align with following the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, who embraced all people, regardless of gender.
Interviewer: looking ahead, what changes do you hope to see in the Presbyterian Church regarding the ordination and treatment of female pastors?
Kim Eun-kyung: I hope to see meaningful cultural shifts that truly value the roles of female pastors, alongside institutional changes like paid maternity leave and contract security for evangelists. It’s time we recognize the capabilities and contributions of women in ministry and create an habitat where they can thrive.
Interviewer: Thank you, Kim, for shedding light on these important issues. Your efforts and passion for reforming the church are commendable,and we look forward to following the progress in this area.
Kim Eun-kyung: Thank you for bringing attention to this topic. It’s essential that we continue the conversation to ensure a supportive and inclusive future for all ministers.
Interviewer: Absolutely, and thank you to our audience for joining us today! let’s continue to advocate for change and foster inclusivity in all aspects of our lives.