Nepotism in Myungsung Church

Family succession will only distance ordinary people from church

The Presbyterian Church of Korea-Tonghap (PCK-Tonghap) has practically approved the father-to-son leadership succession at Myungsung Church, one of the world's biggest Presbyterian churches. The decision was made Thursday, the last day of the denomination's four-day general meeting held in the eastern port city of Pohang.

The decision expedited the recognition of the denomination's ruling in August that "hereditary succession is in violation of the denomination's constitution" but allowed Rev. Kim Hana, son of Myungsung Church founder Rev. Kim Samhwan, to take over as head pastor from 2021. This means that the junior Kim cannot lead the megachurch with nearly 100,000 registered members for the moment owing to the constitution, but will be able to begin leading the church one year and three months later.

It is deplorable that churches, institutions intended for relief of spirit, can be passed down from father to son like private enterprises. The decision reversed the ruling declaring the hereditary practice "null and void" by the court of the PCK-Tonghap in August and virtually resulted in creating an "exceptional clause" in the denomination's constitution. It is further incomprehensible that the denomination also decided to prohibit appealing against the decision based on both church and secular laws.

The PCK-Tonghap, one of the largest of Korea's more than 100 Presbyterian denominations, cannot avoid criticism that it ignored common sense to ensure the hereditary succession in the denomination's flagship church. It is no exaggeration to say that the PCK-Tonghap bowed to Myungsung with money and power threatening to leave the denomination.

The anachronistic move in the megachurch is quite worrisome because it might trigger the explosive rise in hereditary pastoral succession at a time when the number of Protestant Christians keeps declining in Korea. Our religious leaders must be aware that churches' blind pursuit of secular interests and greed will only result in distancing ordinary people and undermining trust.