After living in Daegu for almost a month now I am finally somewhat adjusted to the demands of being an English Minister. It has taken longer then I expected but I never realized just how different the culture and church operates. Let me explain...
In the last couple weeks I've been able to spend some time with some of the ministers from Dream church and go out for coffee with them. One man (Pastor Lee) has been an especially good friend to me here and has taken me out during church office hours to hang out and show me around. Last week he took me to the University that he graduated from and introduced me to some of his old professors and even played ping-pong with one of them who taught me how to execute a perfect 'smash'. This was way too much fun and so what I needed after sitting in an office chair for most of the week. Pastor Lee and I talked a lot about Korean culture and I asked several questions about how Koreans have come to be so dedicated and passionate people. He explained to me that when he was a kid most of Korea was in poverty and that there was no variety in food or clothing like there is today. Since the war with North Korea in 1950, South Korea has exploded out of poverty and is now one of the greatest authorities and competitors in the global market.
" 'Miracle on the Han River' refers to South Korea's highly accelerated export-fueled economic growth, overnight industrialization, technological achievement, education boom, exponential rise in living standards, rapid urbanization, skyscraper boom, modernization, successful hosting of the 1988 Summer Olympics and 2002 FIFA World Cup, fast democratization and globalization that miraculously transformed the country from the ashes of the Korean war to a wealthy and highly developed country today with a globally influential trillion dollar economy and well-known multinational conglomerates such as Samsung, LG and Hyundai-Kia." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_on_the_Han_River
Many Christians in South Korea attribute this staggering economic growth to a Word God gave to the South Korean people after the war and that was "follow me I will give you food and water" (I will prosper you). Looking at the nation now it is almost undenyable to believe anything different as there are churches scattered across the landscape these highly populated cities. When I arrived in Seoul and was driving through the 11 million population city I noticed throughout all the bright lights that there were hundreds of red crosses everywhere you looked. SungJin (my korean buddy) explained that these crosses where all churches. I couldn't believe it! The saying when I was living in Montana USA was that there are as many bars and casinos as there are churches but in South Korea there as many Churches as there are corner stores.
Pastor Lee (who has majored in counselling) explained that Koreas are an 'addictive' culture. These people devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue whether it be running a cell phone business, restaurant or vending on the street, they place on themselves the highest standard of success. I have to tell you that shopping is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have in South Korea. Because of the high plane of competition here, every store, shop, vendor, business will treat you like a King in order to keep you as a customer and have you come back to their shop. Here is a perfect example; when looking to buy a cell phone here I walked into one little shop (there are dozens of cell of phone shops on one street) and was greeted with hospitality by a family who offered me coffee and chocolate as SungJin and I took a look at the vast variety of cell phones for sale. Unaware of their activity, (SungJin explained later..) the owners wife ran over to the mall where her daughter (who speaks english) was working at the time and brought her back to the store so that she could help translate and help me find the best plan for a cell phone. She pulled her daughter out of her job just to help me buy a cell phone that I didn't even end up buying! This is the reality in South Korea, every product that you could think of is readily available and people are waiting for you to walk in to their store and help you get the best possible deal.
To an outsider (like me!) this addictive culture is admirable in the way their determination to meet the need of each customer but unfortunately 'addictive' is never a good word. Pastor Lee shared that this same mentality is operating in the church. The innocent desire to build a successful, god-fearing church is shared by all churches in South Korea but leaves the church "looking like the rest of the culture" He said that, while all the church services and programs are helpful and beneficial in spiritual growth church members are expected to meet these expectations and end up neglecting essential things in life like family and Sabbath rest. Depression and suicide is growing rapidly in South Korea which Pastor Lee attributes to broken families and unrealistic expectations placed on children for their academic performance.
These are a few realities about South Korea that I've learnt so far... I've realized through Pastor Lee that dedication and passion can also have negative ramifications as well as positive. I want to dig deeper into these issues and next time bring more of a positive position on the lifestyle of the Korean people.
This week coming up to Easter I've had to get up at 4:30am for 5am services every day. This seems extreme but as I sat there unaware of anything being said (because of the Korean language) I was able to sense the atmosphere of reverence for Jesus, the lamb that was slaughtered for the sin of the world. I think this reality is worthy of early morning reflection and meditation..Paul said "that I might know Him and the power of the resurrection"
My prayer is that we would simply know him and be wrecked by the reality of the cross.
I'm so thankful for this challenging experience in South Korea, please pray that I would serve and love these people.
Long live the slaughtered Lamb!
Jeremy
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