Practices and Doctrines of Korean Baptist Church - Assignment Example

Korean Baptist Church Korean Baptist Church as a part of Southern Baptist Convention denomination of churches conforms to the doctrines of SBC. It isconsidered as the largest Korean denomination in the United States. The first Korean Baptist Church in the US was founded by Kim Chang-Soon on May 6, 1956 at Washington D.C. Through the years, Korean Baptist Church has been cherishing a thoughtful biblically based faith. It is committed to proclaim Jesus Christ’s teachings to the nation and the whole world. The church has been a Christ centered congregation who takes literally and seriously both the Great Commandments and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. The church believes that there’s only one God reveals himself in three personas as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Its platform is the Holy Scripture which is the foundation and the basis of all the doctrines the church stands. The official website of the southern Baptist convention (sbc.net) states: It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation. As the church committed to relational, positive evangelism, the outreach is centered on reaching the “unchurched” one. It takes seriously in developing, educating and empowering the called for service. It is dedicated to serve people as they’re active in many charitable projects. It’s been giving home for the homeless, feeding the hungry and serves as a refuge for many who were devastated by calamities. It’s also supporting missionaries to spread the real teaching of Christ. Furthermore, it is a home for what they called “true” Christians. Denton Korean Baptist Church located at 2810 N Locust St. Denton Texas is one of the active Korean Baptist Church today. Just like any other Korean Baptist church, Denton Korean Baptist Church is just a traditional one headed by Pastor Hyoung Min Kim. The altar is decorated in a simple fashion which hastens the tranquility of the place. It is a perfect place to discern. A place where God speaks and people listen. Indeed, it refreshes one soul. Yet, the peacefulness outside is still superseded by the warmth of the people. The burning spirit is just visible as exemplified by many activities the church holds. It conducts prayer service, scripture readings, sermons from the pastors, bible study and sharing. There are also a lot of outdoor activities such as youth camp, going some outreach program such as giving food to the homeless, tree planting, and home based bible sharing. The church also celebrates the traditional holidays of Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The Christmas celebration usually consists of a children’s play, performance by the adult choir, a Christmas cantata, and a special dinner after service. In addition to the traditional Christian festivities, the church celebrates the Lunar New Year, also known as Korean Thanksgiving by having service at midnight on New Years Eve. Ms. Kim Soon, a devotee of the church voluntarily answered some of my questions last may 5, 2010 which brought out the significance of her church to her faith of Christianity. On the other hand, my friend Rowena Ytang a Roman Catholic by religion shared her stands of my questions at the same day establishing a clear setup of the differences and similarities of the two religion. Their most honest answers and my alarming questions were summarized in the following pages. Q1: Who do you believe is God? What is your basis in believing God? Kim: I dont believe that God is just "some body." I believe that God just "is." He is the "I am." I think he is everything because without Him, we are nothing. We have nothing, its all provided for by Him. My basis on believing in God… Hmm (Haha,) I have been struggling with this) I think that as you mature as a Christian as you draw near to Him, He becomes more and more real to you. He speaks to you in a way that you understand, and you can just feel him in your daily life. You can feel the thickness of His love surrounding and embracing you wherever you go. Rowena: God as exemplified by the Holy Scripture is revealed in three personalities: the father, son, and the spirit. Q2: What do you think is the best way to worship God? Kim: I dont think there is a "best" way to worship God. I think we can worship God through singing songs of praise, or dancing in worship, or whatever! I think in whatever you do you can praise God. Whether its driving, studying, listening to your parents, and offering a helping hand to someone in need I think its all worship. Rowena: We worship God for being who we are whom He made by His own image. Q3: How do you think people can be redeemed? Kim: They just need to accept it and follow. It is important that they try their best to remain faithful, be baptized and trust in the Lord and believe in Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. Rowena: One is redeemed when he accept Christ as his personal savior and God. Q4: Does your church meet your spiritual needs? Kim: I dont think we need things to meet our spiritual needs. I think its an individual process of growing. You dont have to depend on the church to grow because its not the CHURCH that we need, it is God. Rowena: No, personally I don’t really rely on church to grow as a Christian. It’s more on a personal relationship with God and it can be earned without a church. Just reading the bible one will grow. However, church is a good venue where we can share, celebrate the love of God. Q5: In what way your church contributes your growth spiritually? Kim: At times, church is a good reminder, like a wake up call. If youre slacking in your Christian life, the church (or more specifically God speaking through the pastor during service) can remind you to get back on track. Its a very encouraging place to fellowship and be able to keep accountable with the people at church too. Rowena: Church reminds me of the reason of my existence – the purpose of my life. It’s my refuge during storms of my faith. Q6: Do you have any doubts or uncertainties about the practices and teachings of your church? What is it and why? Kim: I do actually have uncertainties or doubts about the practices at church. I think that Christianity has placed a big emphasis on the important of church, way too much that the size of God decreases, and the size of the church increases (When it should be the other way around). Like if a pastor makes a mistake, people make such a huge deal about it, and forget Gods work, Gods message, Gods love, & etc. Rowena: Yes, I have questions though slowly answered. Well I just found a lot of unnecessary stuffs for worshiping God such us confession of sins. I don’t think the priest has something to do with somebody’s sin. I just really found it silly. Q7: Is your church involved to some charitable event? If yes, please enumerate Kim: Weve recently started trying to volunteer at "The Mission" where one of our pastors works to feed the homeless. We are planning to go at least once a month or so. Rowena: Well I’m very proud in this aspect considering that our church is really the frontier of any outreach projects. It supports missionaries. It gives home the homeless. It feeds the hungry. (Of course not all the homeless and hungry in the world just those fortunate enough to be seen and recognized) Q8: Do you practice what catholic called “7 sacraments” such as Baptism, confirmation, reconciliation, baptism, marriage, holy orders, anointing of the sick? Kim: We dont necessarily name them the "7 sacraments" but we do hold ceremonial baptism, we dont have confirmation or reconciliation or any of them. Q9: How much percentage to your income you share to your church? Kim: I try to tithe which is 10% of my income. Rowena: We all have the freedom as to how much we’re going to share. And I think it won’t make any difference to my relationship to God if I’m gonna tithe or not. Money doesn’t matter. (hahaa) so therefore it’s really negligible but to be specific 1 percent. Q10: What’s your church view on climate change? Kim: I don’t know. Rowena: Climate change is everybody’s responsibility. As part of nature created by God we are ought to take good care of everything HE created. Q11: What are the challenges if any in practicing this religion? Kim: It’s purely financial. Considering that our church has a few members, we have to contribute a big amount aside from 10 percent tithe just to sustain the activities of our church. Rowena: The challenge is how to keep my faith to our church amidst overwhelming negative rumors/issues about the credibility of the Catholic Church and also personal uncertainties. Both the Catholic and Baptist church claimed Christ as the center of their faith. They do have similarities. They worship one God. They both believe that the bible is the only living platform to where their doctrines must stand. Yet, they interpret it differently. Catholic Church practices the infant baptism, while Baptist Church on the basis of the New Testament claims that baptism is for believers only. Baptism is only for those who are able to declare Jesus is Lord. As a symbol of Jesus claim on their lives, Baptists practice baptism by immersion, in which candidates symbolize their desire to “die” to self and sin, and to be “raised” to live with and for Christ.  However, those who are physically infirm or who are of advanced age can be baptized by sprinkling or pouring if immersion is not an option for them. Catholics believe in prayer to Mary and saints, while Baptists pray straight to God. Catholics believe on the concept of purgatory, while Baptists believe the heaven and hell as the only destinations after death. Catholics believe on the “universal” church while, Baptists believe in the autonomy and authority of the Local church. These similarities and differences of practices and ideologies of the two religions are obvious in the answers of Kim and Rowena. At first two questions, they have the same definition of God, though Miss Kim delivers it more sympathetically. They also agree that redemption is achieved only through faith of Christ conveying that they read the same bible. Surprisingly, they have the same thoughts of spiritual growth. They believe that “You dont have to depend on the church to grow because its not the CHURCH that we need, it is God.” Question 9 then defines the freedom of the catholic member. The church does not impose the 10 percent tithe unlike Baptist church. The 12th question reveals the social consciousness of the two. The Catholics are ought to be involved in any issues concerning God’s creations as a part of it. On the other hand, Baptists were molded vertically straight to God as exemplified by Miss Kim Soon answer when asked about their Church’s view of Climate Change. Last question proves that there is no perfect religion. Definitely, each has its own challenges. Indeed, Korean Baptist Church has been committed to spread the teachings of Christ. The church is known for its bible based doctrines. Miss Kim Soon at Denton Korean Baptist church with her views shows the strong faith of every member to their church. Apparently, the church has been shaping the lives of each member. Believing in one God, Catholics and Baptists have different practices and doctrines, and both have their own challenges. References Chang, T. (2005). A history of the Korean immigrant Baptist church movement in the United States: The growth of ethnic minority churches related to Southern Baptist is exploding. Baptist History and Heritage. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NXG/is_1_40/ai_n13606597/. Norman, R. (2005). The baptist way: Distinctives of a Baptist Church. Mateland, Louisiana. B & H Academic. U.S. Catholic Church. (1995). Catechism of the Catholic Church. New York, NY. Image. Read More