The 21st NKPC Annual Assembly in 1992 organized a committee as it looked forward to the 21st century. This was done to understand the Korean Church's responsibility and the demand of the times, as well as to establish the ministry to the first and second generation Koreans. The committee met at the 22nd Annual Assembly and decided to submit a vision statement in 1994. Through the meetings of February 21 and 25 as well as of May 16 and 17 in Los Angeles, the committee was able to draft an interim report and to write a final report, with input and suggestions they received from the Annual Assembly in 1994.

The following is a list of committee members (titles are omitted): John Park (moderator), Jong Min Lee, Paul Chun, Jim Bob Park, Sopn Chung, Bok Won Kim, Victor Yoon, Jeffifer Shim, and Moon Hee Lee. The ex-official are Nam Shik Chung, Sun Bai Kim.

I. Perspectives on the Future

The Korean Church of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has grown in quality and in numbers for the last thirty years; as a mature institution, it is looking forward to the 21st century. About 110 years ago, Korea received the gospel from the PC(USA); now it has become a partner in evangelism and plans future evangelism with other racial groups in much thankfulness and hope as a debtor of the gospel.

Since the revision of its immigration policy in 1965, many Koreans came to America. Among them, the Presbyterians settled here and worshipped God, by the end of 1994, there were about on million Koreans, and by the year 2000, there will be about 1.3 million. Currently 60% of the Korean churches are Presbyterian. Compared with only 20 churches in early 1970, the number of the Presbyterian churches in late 1994, which was about 310, shown remarkable growth.

The Korean Church learned the concept of immigrants and people of faith through the life of Abraham, Ruth, Ester, and Paul. Affirmed by the biblical principle of leaving a homeland to become a pilgrim and a pioneer in a new, strange land, it has a duty and a need to participate in reforming church and society. It also has a responsibility to practice justice and love and to bring good news of God's kingdom to the world.

The rapid changes in American politics, economics and society summon an effective leadership from the Korean church. On the surface, an increase of individualism, materialism and high level scientific technology may bring more convenience and wealth to people. However, this will likely result in spiritual poverty and emptiness. As a result, there will be symptoms of lassitude towards materialism and challenges to the church for bringing about spiritual renewal. In fact, we see that happening already in today's society. However, multi-culturalism and religious pluralism will be important issues in addressing Christian faith. In the 21st century, it will be an important task for American society to deal with rising conflicts, due to an emphasis on the rights of each ethnic group and the value of different cultures. Meanwhile, more will be expected of the Korean Church as Koreans keep growing and advancing in the new world. On top of that, positive progress towards the unification of Korea will be a bedrock force for the further participation in the regional, national and international worlds.

Changes in Korean-American society are also expected. Although the wave of immigration will diminish, at least 20,000 Koreans are expected to come annually. This will result in a steady growth in the first generation church. Even though the lifestyle and mentality of the first generation have become more Americanized, the Korean tradition is still the basis of that generation.
Therefore, the basic difference in the Korean and American cultures will continue, bringing various social problems. The gap between the first and the second generations will become wider from difference in language, culture and value systems; it is something that needs to be addressed seriously and tackled for both generations to resolve. Because of an increase in the second generation, churches serving that generation will multiply. Equipped with high education and spiritual training, the second generation Koreans will lead both church and society, along with other ethnic groups.

II. Ministry

1. Worship
Since worship is a center of activity of Christian life, we need to develop it according to the tradition of the Presbyterian Church, suitable for both Korean and English groups, It is especially important to develop a refreshing, creative, spiritual, and dynamic worship model for English and/or bilingual services in accordance with the heritage and virtue of immigrant and Presbyterian Church service. More study and ideas are needed to hope people participate in community-oriented worship. As its first effort, Book of Common Worship should be translated and harmonized with Korean Church tradition. Especially, there is a need to elevate the spirit of celebration among believers as they participate in baptism, membership, and communion. Having communion at least four times or more annually will enhance a better understanding of its practice and related Bible teaching, resulting in spiritual growth. There is also a need to establish a Ministry Information Center through which ideas can be exchanged in areas of worship, preaching and church music.

2. Education
Church education should take a holistic approach, including ministers, officers, teachers, and all members, in order to develop Christian characters and commitment to the faith. The education of the 21st century should be integrative, reflecting the uniqueness of the Korean heritage, instead of being compartmental and imitative. It should also reinforce the system of ministers' continuing education; develop guidelines and curricula with an emphasis on the Presbyterian tradition and regulations in order to educate candidates for the position of elders and deacons; and require training for lay people through local churches. Especially, the session should recognize that Sunday school ministry is a mission of the entire church and not of a designed committee or of a person in charge. There is a pressing need to develop a church curriculum like Bible discovery, with lessons on church worship and sacraments, in order to help children who live in two cultures.

3. Development of Leadership
Second generation is not only hope of the first generation Koreans but also the future leadership of churches in America as well as in the whole world. In proportion to the increase of population among second generation Koreans, more leadership among them should be cultivated. In order for the second generation to feel ownership of the church, there need to be frequent communication and contact, narrowing the gap between the two generations. In addition, people from the second generation should be encouraged to become elders and deacons. In any culture a clash between two different generations is expected; however, the difference in culture and language as well as the distribution of responsibility and privileges in the future among the old and the young generation will most likely breed discord. Since no one educational model can conform to every place and situation, a model that is relevant and flexible needs to be studied and developed. AT least, an appropriate way to teaching the Korean language and its culture should be actively pursued, for there is a strong desire either to know more about or to prefer the mother culture among the second generation adults.

4. The Training of Stewards
The Korean Church has a duty to emphasize and to develop its stewardship. It is important for church members to practice offering not only material blessings but also their time and talents on a daily basis. In addition, they need to lead in working out problems in the areas of pollution, environment and society as well as to undertake the responsibility of social reform. In order to accomplish this, the training of stewards among members is essential. It is also important to educate members about the possibility of donation their inheritance for the purpose of church growth and active evangelism. Active training, volunteer projects, and various curricula will enhance their participation in donation and church finances while raising the spirit of their ownership.

III. Evangelism and New Church Development

The important aspects of the Korean Church ministry are evangelism and new church development. Currently there are about 300 churches under PC(USA). However, considering the Korean population of one million in the States, the annual increase of about 20,000 immigrants, and the further increase among the second generation, new church development is inevitable. Furthermore, if the rate of population increase for the last twenty years continues, there will be 1.5 million Koreans by the year 2010; therefore, the number of Korean churches will grow accordingly. The presbyteries and the General Assembly, which assume responsibility in new church development, should draft a more concrete and constructive plan. At the same time, Synod KPCs and NKPC should cooperate with Presbyterians that are pertaining to them, in the areas of development of leadership and mobilization of resources for the new church development project. The Korean Church has seen unprecedented growth, and it will continue to grow. Our denomination should provide an agreeable system and conditions in which other Korean churches can join as coworkers for evangelism under the wings of PC(USA). Each church should strive to see the further growth of the second generation ministry. It might be also necessary to build a second generation church in certain regions.

Since American society will be more diverse and complex in the 21st century, PC(USA), which by far has a major constituency of white Anglo-Saxons, should courageously face the new challenges of the time and become more embracing and diverse; in the meantime, the Korean Church must be a catalyst for such changes. The Korean Church should spread it fervor in evangelism among the denominations; furthermore, it should go beyond its emphasis on person-to-person evangelism and the growth of individual churches by setting an example of sharing love and peace around its neighborhood.

IV. World Mission

An active participation is required in order to carry out Jesus' Great Commission, renewing what has been a steady and fervent effort of the Korean immigrant church, the church should continue its support of frequent and church-centered evangelism. In addition to having all churches directly participate in world evangelism through the functions of the NKPC Global Mission Network and of the General Assembly Worldwide Ministry Division, it is important to establish a mission policy concerning the proper selection of sites, exchange of information, development of resources, training missionary candidates, and retraining missionaries. Missions' committee members at local churches as well as second generation young people should be encouraged to utilize their unique talents and resources for world evangelism. For our mother country, the 50th anniversary of its national division will soon be commemorated. Considering the evangelistic aspects of the future unification of Korea, it will be important to install peaceful resolution.

V. Development of Leadership

1. Seminary Education
In order to produce effective leaders in handling the Korean Church's unique situation, an appropriate system is necessary. The best solution will be to establish accredited seminaries for Koreans in the same way the Afro-Americans established seminaries with special emphasis. Such seminaries will definitely hope in organizing and administering the new church development project.

The irrelevancy of many curricula that forces Korean students to receive practical training only through their experience at churches makes this issue much more urgent. Although a couple of seminaries have Asian-American program, their proficiency requires further research. Since many second generation Korean students prefer a scholarly path, a special program becomes necessary to produce more ministers and certified Christian educators. The presbyteries, governing body that assumes responsibility for ordination and its process, should promote a deeper understanding of preparing Korean Ministers. The equal employment of women ministers should be seriously considered.

2. Lay Ministry
Effective leadership in ministry will encourage the laity to nurture their gifts and to take a training course for either deaconship or eldership in order to better understand their responsibilities ad well as privileges according to the Book of Order. Utilizing the talents and resources to their fullest should always be encouraged. Ministers should properly understand the importance of lay ministry and subsequently follow with an effective training program. Especially, there needs to be an institutional reform to invite women to participate in every aspect of ministry, and not just that of fellowship. The session should educate voting members as well as non-voting members regarding the amendment that allows the election of women elders.

3. Volunteer-in-Mission
Since the Korean Church has acquired many members, it needs to utilize its God-given gift. A system, which maximizes the vast experience of both retired ministers and the laity, should be explored; in the meantime, young people should be given many opportunities to serve as volunteers both in short and/of long term missions.

VI. Relationship Within the Denomination

1. The Korean Presbytery
Because of the cultural and language gap, many Korean ministers and laity have been hindered from an active community service, not being able to put all their enthusiasm and talents to good use. Therefore, it becomes necessary to continue establishing Korean presbyteries in regions where many Korean churches exist. Even though the focus of the Church will shift to the second generation, the need for Korean Presbyteries will continue; therefore, it is wise to think about a systematic inter-network among Korean presbyteries in the future.

2. Korean church Organization
In order to maintain a close cooperation among all Korean churches, NKPC and KPC should reinforce their network, consultation and fellowship. Even in areas where a Korean presbytery is founded, KPCs should continue its existence. As the number of Korean presbyteries increases, a favorable relationship between Korean churches and other churches in its surrounding area should be highly promoted.

3. Active Participation Within the Denomination
Even though there is a limit due to language and cultural barriers, one important task of the Korean Church in the 21st century is to stimulate the American Church with its vitality and gifts by actively participating in denomination policies, evangelism, and ministry. It is essential to develop leaders who can work effectively at all levels of governing bodies (i.e. presbytery, synod and General Assembly). At the same time, a special place should be given to maintaining as well as promoting an amicable working relationship with other ethnic groups within the denomination.

4. Ecumenical Relationship
A close cooperation with other denominations, which have shared similar interests in ministry in the past, will be continually fostered.

VII. Social Justice

1. A Focus of Social Problems Within the Korean Community
As the history of Korean immigrants continues, there are several social issues that require the Church's special interest and active participation: increasing problems among the elderly, adolescents and families. These issues have become more apparent as the conflict between the traditional values of the Korean and American cultures arises. The Korean church has taken special interest in resolving some of these issues, but it needs to come up with a more effective plan, considering how serious they have become. Especially, problems such as family issues and domestic violence that have long been covered up, are matters that the church should do its best to solve.

2. A Focus on Community Issues
A community in which a Korean Churches exists is its neighbor. This is the base for our livelihood and a home for our descendants. Instead of ignoring or avoiding communal problems such as crime, violence, inequality, infringement of human rights, discrimination and other types of injustice, the church should actively seek social justice. In order to accomplish this goal, ministers and the laity need continual training, while the churches participate in events sponsored by Presbyterian denomination in order to create social justice, ethnic equality and peace-making ministry. The establishment of social justice and goodwill is just as important as evangelism and church growth.

We praise and thank God who revealed this vision of His Kingdom for the 21st century. We firmly believe that God will use us in order to fulfill His will, and we commit ourselves, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)