7 October 2012
The Presbyterian Church recognised today its growing number of Korean and other Asian congregations with a decision to adopt a policy statement about becoming a cross-cultural church.
The Church’s decision to adopt a statement embracing cross-culturalism is a continuation of its long history of respecting diversity. The Presbyterian Church has an existing bicultural covenant with its Maori Synod, Te Aka Puaho, and the new policy statement will be expressed within the context of that relationship.
Around 30,000 Korean people currently call New Zealand home, and the Church’s increasing number of Korean congregations mirror this growth.
The Church is responding to the needs of this growing community, most of whom live in the greater Auckland area, by providing a place of welcome and belonging Presbyterian churches are active at a local level providing mission and ministry to many of Auckland’s large Asian migrant communities.
In mid-2011, eleven Korean congregations formally joined the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, and there are several others that are following Presbyterian traditions and in discussion about joining. The 2011 celebration was attended by the general secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Korea and marked the close links between the Presbyterian Church of Korea and the New Zealand Presbyterian Church.
The statement, which will be drafted and consulted on in coming months, will cement the steps already taken by the Church to welcome Korean and other Asian worshippers, including establishment of an Asian Council, and the appointment of a Korean minister as an Asian Mission Co-ordinator.
Rev Stuart Vogel, Secretary of the Asian Council, says that Asian congregations add to the diversity of experiences of faith and life within the Presbyterian Church, and have brought with them a vibrant and vital approach to mission.
“The Church has long been a multi-cultural community with many ethnic groups living side-by-side. This proposal seeks to assist the Church to become a “cross-cultural” community, in which many more Christians of European descent actively engage with and interact with members of the Church who are Maori, Pacific Island and Asian.
“A cross-cultural church is a community in which there is cross-pollination among all its members of new ideas and ways of being Christian. It values, listens to and reflects together upon what each ethnic, cultural or language group brings to the cross-cultural community. It dares to learn and change when new insights about the Gospel, faith and life are brought into its midst. The Presbyterian Church has decided to begin the process of becoming an active, vibrant cross-cultural community.”
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