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Presbyterianism is a Reformed (Calvinist) Protestant tradition named for its form of church government by representative assemblies of elders. Though there are other Reformed churches that are structurally similar, the word Presbyterian is applied to churches that trace their roots to the Church of Scotland or to English Dissenter groups that formed during the English Civil War.
The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is the second-largest Presbyterian church body, behind the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the largest conservative Calvinist denomination in the United States. The PCA is Reformed in theology and presbyterian in government.
The practice of Christianity in Korea is marginal in North Korea, but significant in South Korea, where it revolves around Protestantism and Catholicism, accounting for 8.6 million and 5.8 million members, respectively. Christianity in the form of Catholicism was first introduced during the late Joseon Dynasty period by Confucian scholars who encountered it in China. In 1603, Yi Su-gwang, a Korean politician, returned from Beijing carrying several theological books written by Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit missionary to China. He began disseminating the information in the books, introducing Christianity to Korea. In 1787, King Jeongjo of Joseon officially outlawed Catholicism as an "evil practice," declaring it heretical and strictly banned. Catholicism was reintroduced in 1785 by Yi Seung-hun and French and Chinese Catholic priests were soon invited by the Korean Christians.
The Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK), also abbreviated as Yejang (Korean: 예장), is a Protestant denomination based in South Korea that follows Calvinist theology and the Westminster Confession of Faith. Since the 1950s, the denomination has separated into various branches of the same name due to theological and political disputes. As of 2019, 286 branches in South Korea, many of which have separated from the PCK, use the title 'Presbyterian Church of Korea'.
The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) is the largest association of Reformed (Calvinist) churches in the world. It has 230 member denominations in 108 countries, together claiming an estimated 80 million people, thus being the fourth-largest Christian communion in the world after the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. This ecumenical Christian body was formed in June 2010 by the union of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC).
The Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad, formerly known as the Korean Presbyterian Church in America, is an independent Presbyterian denomination in the United States. It was founded in 1976 as a union of 3 Korean language Presbyteries. The mother church was the Presbyterian Church in Korea (TongHap). The church has close relationship with the PC(USA) and the Korean Christian Church in Japan. In 2004 it had 29,000 members and 263 congregations. According to the recent statistics it has 55,000 members and 302 congregations. Official languages are English and Korean. The church uses the Westminster Confession and the Apostles Creed. Since 2010 it formed an English speaking presbytery. KPCA is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. It is also a member of the interdenominational associations National Council of Churches and Christian Churches Together.
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea or the KiJang Presbyterian Church is an ecumenically-minded Presbyterian denomination in South Korea.
The Presbyterian Church of the Philippines (PCP), officially The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the Philippines, is a growing evangelical, Bible-based Reformed church in the Philippines. It was officially founded by in 1986 and the General Assembly was organized in September 1996.
The General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (GAPCK), also known as Yejang Hapdong (Korean: 예장합동) or just Hapdong, is an Evangelical Presbyterian denomination, which is the biggest Christian church in South Korea. The headquarters of the church is in Seoul, South Korea.
The Presbyterian Church of Korea, also known as Yejang Tonghap (Korean: 예장통합) or just Tonghap, is a mainline Protestant denomination based in South Korea; it currently has the second largest membership of any Presbyterian denomination in the world. It is affiliated with its daughter denomination, the Korean Presbyterian Church in America (KPCA) of the United States, which adopted the "Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad" as its new name in 2009.
The International Presbyterian Church (IPC) is a Reformed church in the United Kingdom, the European Union and South Korea, that holds to the Presbyterian confession of faith, with common commitments, purpose and accountability and government.
The Korean Christian Church in Japan was founded in 1909 by Presbyterian missionaries from Korea. Pastor Han Sok-Po evangelized primarily among Korean students in Tokyo. From 1915 the Korean Presbyterians send more missionaries and the church in Japan grew steadily. Congregations are in all parts of Japan. In 1934 the Korean Church in Japan was established, but in 1939 it was forced to become a part of the Church of Christ in Japan. After World War II it separated and held a General Assembly of the Korean Christian Church in Japan. The Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession of Faith are the official documents. Partner churches are the Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Presbyterian Church in Korea.
According to a 2021 Gallup Korea poll, 17% of South Koreans identify as Protestant; this is about 8.5 million people. About two-thirds of these are Presbyterians. Presbyterians in South Korea worship in over 100 different Presbyterian denominational churches who trace their history back to the United Presbyterian Assembly.
The Korea Jesus Presbyterian Church was a result in a split within the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Koshin). Kim Suk-Chan wanted to join the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong) with his congregation the MunChan Church. Song San-Shuk respected his decision, but questioned his right to involve the whole congregation. Koshin was divided in this issue. Some felt that the church should not go to court, the General Assembly hesitated. One of the Presbytery suspended relations with the General assembly. This group organised in 1960 a council, in 1967 they opened a high school and in 1969 the Covenant Seminary was formed. Finally in 1975 a new denomination was formed. In 1980 Presbyterian Church in Korea (KayShin) name was adopted. the Leading figure was Lee Byung-Gyu. The Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession are the official standards. In 2004 it had 21,712 members in 135 congregations in 11 Presbyteries and a General assembly.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDongJeongShin) is a Reformed denomination in South Korea. It subscribes to the Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession. In 2004 the church had 112,275 members and 186 congregations.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (JaeGun), also known as the Korean Presbyterian Reconstruction Church, is a branch of Presbyterianism in South Korea. In 2004 it had about 23,600 members in 113 congregations.
The Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea, also called Korea-pa, is an Evangelical Reformed and Presbyterian denomination in the Republic of South Korea. Although, congregations have spread all over North America and in many other countries.
The Korean Evangelical Presbyterian Church in America (KEPCA) - in Korean 미주복음주의장로회 - is a Presbyterian denomination, formed in 1997, by churches previously linked to Christian Presbyterian Church, when it dissolved.
References
- ↑ Johannes a Lasco Library (2004-02-27). "Address data base of Reformed churches and institutions". Reformiert-online.net. Retrieved 2013-07-21.