Office Bearers

GS 2025 Article 110 – KPCK (Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea)

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Committee for Ecumenical Relations (CER) Report 18: Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea (8.2.10.18).

2.   Admissibility

  • 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It was mandated by the previous synod and was received on time.

3.   Observations

  • 3.1    GS 2022 (art. 144) decided:
    • [3.1]    To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) with the Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea (KPCK) under the adopted rules;
    • [3.2]    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
      • [3.2.1]    To continue to work cooperatively with sister churches in exercising our relationship with the KPCK in meaningful ways and to take turns visiting the KPCK’s General Assembly;
      • [3.2.2]    To meet with their delegates at the next International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC);
      • [3.2.3]    To submit its report to the churches six months prior to the convening of the next general synod.
  • 3.2    From the CER report, the following:
    • 3.2.1    The relationship between the KPCK and CanRC has intensified over the last several years.
    • 3.2.2    The transition of Rev. Park into a CanRC church went very smoothly.
    • 3.2.3    While the KPCK remains strongly orthodox in confession, the mega-church movement has somewhat impacted their ecclesiology. Mega-churches do exist and seem to have a strong influence over the direction of the federation.
    • 3.2.4    Many Koreans continue to immigrate to Canada. This has resulted in various Korean families seeking membership in local Canadian Reformed Churches.
    • 3.2.5    The KPCK’s growing interaction with the OPC and FRCA, along with the CanRC, can serve as a source for mutual blessing and evidence of Christ’s world-wide church gathering work.
    • 3.2.6    Discussions have taken place, and will continue at opportune times, on differing church polity or practices.
  • 3.3    The CER recommends that synod decide:
    • 3.3.1    To express thankfulness for the new vigour in our relationship;
    • 3.3.2    To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) Category A with the Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea (KPCK) according to the adopted rules;
    • 3.3.3    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
      • 3.3.3.1   To continue to work cooperatively with sister churches in exercising our relationship with the KPCK in meaningful ways and to take turns visiting the KPCK’s General Assembly;
      • 3.3.3.2   To submit its report on its activities with respect to the KPCK to the churches 6 months prior the convening of the next general synod.

4.   Considerations

  • 4.1    The Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea (KPCK) has shown increased interest in the relationship, and we have been blessed by Korean-speaking pastors and church members in our midst, e.g. Revs. Lee, Park, and Shin.
  • 4.2    We have a long-standing relationship with the KPCK, they remain faithful to the Word of God, and there is a new vigour in our relationship which can be mutually beneficial.
  • 4.3    The growing interaction of the KPCK with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) and Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA), along with the CanRC, is useful in exercising our relationship in a cooperative manner.

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 5.1    To express thankfulness for the new vigour in our relationship;
  • 5.2    To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) Category A with the Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea (KPCK) according to the adopted rules;
  • 5.3    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
    • 5.3.1    To continue to work cooperatively with sister churches, namely the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) and Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA), in exercising our relationship with the Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea (KPCK) in meaningful ways and to take turns with them visiting the KPCK’s General Assembly;
    • 5.3.2    To submit its report on its activities with respect to the KPCK to the churches no later than six (6) months prior the convening of the next general synod.

ADOPTED