Silent Exodus

Chicago Lakeview Presbyterian Church pastor Joshua Kang presented 7 different ways of cooperation on March 26 regarding the most urgent problem of Korean American church which is the most effective management of English pastorship that can embrace the 1.5 and second generations.
“Korean American second generations attend church following their parents till high school however after entering college over 70% of them are leaving churches which is a phenomenon called ‘Silent Exodus’ is occurring in the whole United Stats. If the Korean American churches do not urgently attempt a paradigm shift about English pastoralship then the silent exodus of Korean American second generations will only accelerate,” warned pastor Kang on the third day of ‘3rd Annual Mission Forum for Emerging Leaders’ sponsored by KIMENT at Promise Ministries during plenary session titled ‘A Ministry Path to 1st and 2nd Generation Cooperation.’
Continuing on he said to prevent this phenomenon from occurring the English pastoralship within Korean American church must successfully settle down and explained about a plan that 1st generation Korean speaking congregants must cooperate.
English pastoralship must be considered as church plant
“English pastoralship must first be recognized as a pioneering church instead of a department underneath the first generation church. For us to embrace the Korean American second generations and to allow them to become the leading role of Korean American church first with a heart of missionary we need to provide them a place and clear the way for them to plan a creative and innovative ministry,” emphasized Pastor Kang.
Acknowledge the potential energy within the second generation
“The second generations in all aspect language ability, financially, margin of time they are the resources to be more devoted to God than the first generations and accomplish greater works. However what is important is whether we are viewing them negatively or with hope and expectations. Don’t be disappointed in the current lacking image of second generations but we must treat them with faith and anticipation of viewing them as the precious jars that will be used by God,” added Pastor Kang.
Invest in second generation pastoral leadership development
Continuing on Pastor Kang indicated that for full time English ministers there are many instances where they do not go through the process of intern-pastor, associate minister like the first generation ministers but instead immediately become a person in charge and therefore due to the unsettled pastoral philosophy, lack of experience, experience failure and worst case come to abandon pastoral duties. “For the second generation congregants need to hire a full time minister and before expecting a revival needs a long term investment for the growth and development of second generation minister.”
Consider the service time, location assignment of second generations
“For the development of English speaking congregants we must provide the best suited environment for their growth and at the same time its very important to give them a challenge to raise their independence,” indicated Pastor Kang that the service time organization or location assignment is excessively centered on first generation and English speaking congregants finance is excessively dependent upon Korean speaking congregants.
Concentrate on discipleship rather than second generation ethnic education
“It would be most desirable to give ethnic education to second generations but Hangeul education and Korean culture education can never replace faith education. English pastoral duties must not be used as a tool to transmit language and culture of Korea but must put the priority in evangelizing and disciplining Korean American second generation and other ethnicities,” emphasized Pastor Kang.
Develop as an independent church
“Allow the English congregants to set up their own vision, value, goal, budget, structure, and schedule to develop as an independent church systematically. The English congregants must choose substance and if the Korean congregants allow freedom systematically to the English congregants then both congregants can continuously maintain a healthy relationship and contribute to the expansion of Kingdom of God,” said Pastor Kang.
Become an equal owner and pioneer own church
“Whether it’s an independent church or church in church concept, duplex model the important thing is whichever path it takes what is most desirable is for the English congregants to take ownership in the same equal position as Korean congregants and lead the church. When the time comes let the English congregants become independent church and pursue the vision where each church can pioneer their own church,” said Pastor Kang lastly