Educational Ministries in Korean Churches amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the direction of future Christian ministry by examining the educational/pastoral ministries of Korean churches during the COVID-19 period. The study used the case study method, where pastors from four different churches were the primary sources of data. Although each church has its own unique ministry, special early morning prayer meetings, family worship services, family Vacation Bible Schools, Bible writing and reading programs, and on-line discipleship training programs were common. In addition, each church implemented special programs that reflected the characteristics and needs of the church, like a talk show, visible radio, surfing meeting, and book-making of Bible manuscripts. Based on these results, ministry programs reflecting the church's pastoral philosophy, strengthening community consciousness, restoring the spiritual function of the family, utilizing online teaching methods, and psychological support for the underprivileged are proposed. In addition, the recovery of Christian publicity and the help from denomination or specialized institutions to develop the programs and online materials were suggested. Through this study, the direction of educational/ pastoral ministry in a time of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 is proposed.