KSC Symposium 2023: The Future of Spiritual Formation in the Korean Context

Fuller Seminary’s Korean Studies Center (KSC) warmly invites you to our annual symposium, “The Future of Spiritual Formation in the Korean Context,” this spring.

From the start of its establishment, one of the distinctive hallmarks of Korean Christianity is its emphasis on spiritual formation, along with its dedication to the study of the Bible. As a unique spiritual and cultural response to the national crisis in the early 20th century, a series of revivals took place in Korean Protestant churches, which started from sagyeonghoe, a gathering of Bible study groups. The revival meetings brought an enthusiasm which made it possible for Korean Christians to confidently spread the gospel and keep their faith even in difficult times. As a result, spiritual formation has been regarded as part and parcel of Korean evangelical Christianity, in addition to David Bebbington’s four characteristics of evangelicalism (biblicalism, crucicentrism, conversionism, and activism). However, in light of the many changes in the Korean church context in recent years, the traditional practice and understanding of spirituality requires re-examination and revision for the contemporary context.

The symposium, to be partly live-translated into English, aims to discuss the theory and practice of Christian Spirituality in Korean context in order to provide insights for the ministries of the church, missionaries, and other parachurch organizations. The symposium will feature outstanding scholars on the subject area, both from Korea and the US, as plenary lecturers, while breakout sessions will allow for examination of the topic from theological, biblical, psychological, and sociological perspectives.

This event offers a great opportunity to interact with scholars and leaders through in-depth practical conversations between local church pastors, thematic lectures, case study presentations, and plenary discussions.

This event is free and open to the public; registration is required. The event will be held virtually and in person on Fuller’s Pasadena campus.

SCHEDULE

Please note, all times are listed in Pacific Time. All sessions will be translated into English and Korean, except for thematic breakout sessions where noted.

Wednesday, April 19

10:00–11:00 am Fuller Chapel with guest speaker, Dr. Jeong Kii Min

1:10–2:25 pm Plenary Lecture 1: “New Wine into Old Wineskins (Mark 2:22): The Footsteps of the Korean Church’s Spiritual Formation” with Dr. Haeyong You, Mosegol Community Church, South Korea

2:25–2:40 pm Coffee Break

2:40–3:55 pm Plenary Lecture 2: “The Relationship of Spiritual Health with Mental and Emotional Health: A Biblical Perspective” with Dr. Siang-Yang Tan, Fuller Theological Seminary

3:55–4:10 pm Coffee Break

4:10–5:40 pm Thematic Lectures (Breakout Sessions)

1. Theme 1: Bible and Korean Spiritual Formation (Principle/Role of Bible in Korean Spiritual Formation) (English lecture; *Korean translation provided) – Travis Auditorium

• 4:10–4:40 pm Thematic Lecture 1: Living with the Word: Biblical Principles for Christian Spirituality – Dr. Tom Schwanda, Wheaton College
• 4:40–5:10 pm Thematic Lecture 2: The Rule of St. Benedict and Lectio Divina in the Obsessive Korean Context – Dr. Euiwan Cho, Fuller Theological Seminary
• 5:10–5:40 pm Q&A

1. Theme 2: Spiritual Formation and Burnout (Korean lecture; no translation provided) – Payton 102

• 4:10–4:40 pm Thematic Lecture 3: Pastoral Burnout and Spiritual Formation – Dr. Young Ok Kim, Fuller Theological Seminary
• 4:40–5:10 pm Thematic Lecture 4: Spiritual Formation for the “Canaan Believers” – Dr. Chae-Yong Chung, Graduate School of Practical Theology, South Korea
• 5:10–5:40 pm Q&A

Thursday, April 20

1:00–2:15 pm Plenary Lecture 3: “Reimagining Spirit” with Dr. Grace Ji-sun Kim, Earlham School of Religion

2:15–2:30 pm Coffee Break

2:30–3:45 pm Plenary Lecture 4: “Worn Paths and Fellow Travelers on the Journey to Spiritual Maturity” with Dr. Dennis L. Okholm, Azusa Pacific University

3:45–4:00 pm Coffee Break

4:00–5:30 pm Thematic Lectures (Breakout Sessions)

1. Theme 3: Spiritual Direction for the Korean Protestants (Korean lecture; no translation provided) – Payton 102

• 4:00–4:30 pm Thematic Lecture 5: Reflection and Challenges of Spiritual Direction in Korean Context – Dr. Kang Hak Lee, Torch Trinity Graduate University, South Korea
• 4:30 - 5:00pm Q&A

1. Theme 4: The Place of Neighbor in the Korean Spiritual Formation (English lecture; *Korean translation provided) – Travis Auditorium

• 4:00–4:30 pm Thematic Lecture 7: Spirituality Formation for the Missional Churches – Dr. Enoch Kim, Fuller Theological Seminary
• 4:30–5:00 pm Thematic Lecture 8: Sabbath God and Kingdom Justice in Korean America – Dr. Daniel Lee, Fuller Theological Seminary
• 5:00–5:30 pm Q&A

4:00–5:30 pm Thematic Lectures (Breakout Sessions)

5:30–6:30 pm Dinner – Payton 101

6:30–8:00 pm Panel Session: Spiritual Formation and the Future of Korean Church with Dr. Haeyong You, Dr. Kang Hak Lee, and Rev. Dr. Sang Hyun Shim