"This parable is ultimately about the difference between God's time and our time. . Jesus was teaching that chronological time means very little to God."
Like the laborers hired late in the afternoon, the Protestant church in Korea, which celebrates its 120th anniversary this year, is a relative latecomer to God's kingdom, Kim said, and the Korean Presbyterian Church is sometimes seen by U.S. Presbyterians as "a youthful upstart." Meanwhile, he said, "Scotland is seen as the fount of pure Presbyterianism."
Yet there are more than five million Presbyterians in Korea - twice as many as in the PC(USA) - and Korea has the largest Presbyterian congregation in the world, with 50,000 members.
Kim chided U.S. and European Christians for their tendency to regard Asian and African churches as "less worthy," because they are products of Western missionary efforts.
"Why throughout history do those called to the harvest at 6 a.m. feel they can oppress those called at 6 p.m.?" he asked.
He also deplored the continuing practice of segregated worship in local communities.
In a message especially directed to his fellow evangelicals, Kim counseled them to treat Christians of different theological, racial and cultural backgrounds "with graciousness and generosity, not arrogance and contempt."
When we were the hungry late-comers, we accepted God's generosity as good news," he said - and that should be our attitude toward others.
"There can be no renewal in the church without reconciliation," he said.
The service featured special music performed by the choir of the Richmond Korean Presbyterian Church. |
indicates an audio file has been added to this story. Click the icon to hear the event in Windows Media Player. 
