올해 들어 닷새째 되는 날 받은 카톡입니다. “목사님, 새해 첫 좋은 소식이 있어 알려드려요^^ 한국기독교출판협회에서 해마다 시상하는 한국출판문화상에 목사님의 <읽는설교 요한계시록>이 대상 도서로 선정되었습니다.” “아직 출판사들에게만 공지된 상태여서 공식화되면 출판부에서도 SNS를 통해 소개하려고 합니다^^” “기쁜 소식 감사합니다^^ 수고하셨습니다~~ 보급에 좋은 영향 있기를^^” “넵, 감사합니다, 목사님!^^” 이제 국민일보에도 <한국기독교 출판협회는 제38회 한국기독교 출판문화상 대상으로 정근두 에스라성경대학원대학교 총장이 저술한 ‘읽는 설교 요한계시록 1,2’(죠이북스)를 선정했다고 7일 밝혔다.>는 기사가 났으니 더 이상 감출 일은 아닙니다. 이 소식을 접한 에스라 교직원 기도방을 비롯한 저와 함께 울산교회에서 사역하다가 지금은 담임이나 선교사, 교수 사역을 하고 있는 미목연 단톡에는 난리가 났습니다.
먼저 에스라성경대학원 대학교의 기도방입니다. “우와~ 엄청나네요!!! 총장님, 축하드립니다^^” “올라오시면 파티해야되겠네요. 축하드립니다” “축하드립니다 ~ 하나님께서 총장님과 저희 에스라에 주신 선물이라고 생각합니다. 올 한해 주님께서 에스라에 주실 또 다른 선물들을 기대합니다 ^^” “함께 기뻐할 수 있는 여러분 때문에 더 감사합니다~~” “축하드립니다. 연초에 귀한 선물입니다.^^” “대상이라니.. 대단하시네요. 축하드립니다, 총장님. ^^ 새해 초부터 정말 기쁜 소식이군요. 올해 에스라에 좋은 소식이 가득하길 기원합니다.” “대상 축하드립니다. 총장님. 기쁨을 함께 나눕니다~” “네 올해 에스라에 좋은 소식이 교정의 봄날 벚꽃처럼 만개하길 원합니다.” “총장님, 진심으로 축하드려요. 읽으면서 내용이 너무 좋은 책이라 생각했었는데 큰 경사네요.” “총장님, 축하드립니다 ~^^ 귀한 사역에 큰 결실을 맺으셨네요. 책이 앞으로 더 잘 사용되기를 기원합니다.~” “와 축하드려요 총장님!! 경사네요~~” “총장님 축하드립니다~~!! 대상 받으셨으니 한턱 쏘셔야 하는거 아닌가요 ㅎㅎ” “구하는 자에겐 한 턱 쏘야지요~~ 아쉽게도 출판사에 주는 상이지만^^
이어서 미목연 단톡입니다. “우아~~ 축하드립니다 목사님~ 한국교회에 귀한 선물을 주셔서 감사합니다:)” “목사님.. 축하드립니다… 덩달아.. 행복해지는 이유는 뭘까요.. ㅎㅎㅎ” “축하드립니다~!!!” ""축하드립니다” “목사님의 요한계시록 책을 친구 신 목사가 신대원 시절에 선물로 주었는데. 시간이 흘러도 대작은 대작입니다~” “장 “목사님 , 저는 희귀본을 소장하고 있는 셈입니다~” “아하~~ 그랬군요. 책보다는 책을 선물하는 친구를 두신 그대가 복이 있습니다.” “예, 근데 너무 멀리 있어서 큰 도움은 안 됩니다~ 올해 심방선물은 대충 목록이 정해지네요^^” “장 목사님뿐 아니라 저자에게도 없는 희귀본이네요~~” “목사님~ 축하드립니다.” “멀리 있어도 오래 있기만 하면 갈수록 감사할 겁니다^^” “네 명심하겠습니다~ 그 친구 때문에 울산교회에도 올 수 있었고… 미목연에서 교제할 수도 있게 되었습니다. 실은 평생 고마운 친구입니다~” “목사님, 축하드립니다. 너무 기쁩니다.” “멀리 있어도 친구 그리워서 기도 가끔합니다.^^” “저자에게는 별도의 시상을 하지 않는다…” 아쉽네요… 하지만 우리에게 (목사님이) 가장 큰 선물이 되어 주심에 감사드립니다~” “저자에게는 별도의 시상을 하지 않는다니 . 저도 무척 아쉽네요… 한 턱 쏘라는 위협을 사방에서 받게 되는데 한국기독교출판문화협회는 그걸 모르나 봐요 ㅋㅋ”
“와~~ 총장님 축하드려요 ㅎㅎ … 제가 참 책을 안 읽는 사람인데 이 책은 꼭 사서 읽어야겠어요 ㅎㅎ” “권사님, 읽으며 좋으신 주님 음성 듣기를 바랍니다~~” “항상 건강 조심하시고 좋은 책도 계속 또 내주세요^^” “네 응원 감사합니다. 올해는 두란노에서 누가복음이 봄부터 나올 겁니다^^ ” ” 와~~ 역쉬 멋지시네요. 사실 누가복음에 궁금한 부분이 참 많았는데 너무 기대가 되네요. 따뜻한 봄날에 총장님 책들 읽고 한 번 찾아 뵐게요.책에 저자 사인도 해 주시고 안 바쁘시면 커피도 한 잔 주세요^^” “싸인과 커피, 물론이죠~~ 총장은 동문들을 위해서 시간이 항상 예약되어 있답니다^^” “친구랑 <읽는설교 요한 계시록> 다시 읽기 시작했습니다. 하루에 두 챕터씩만 천천히 읽고 중간중간 나눔하기로요^^ ‘점차 하늘의 음성이 들리고 순례자의 걸음에 새로운 힘을 얻게 되’기를 소망하면서 읽겠습니다. 고맙습니다^^” “그런 친구가 있으니 하나님의 선물입니다. <읽는설교 요한계시록>을 읽고 힘을 얻는 순례자들이 많아지길^^ “출판사 입장에는 판매로 이어지길 바라고, 필자의 입장에서는 축하나 소장보다는 정독하는 독자를 만나기를 원하고, 우리 주님은 <아멘 주 예수여 오시옵소서~~>라고 기도하며 대망하는 성도들이 봄날 활짝핀 벚꽃처럼 많아지기를 바랄 것입니다. 격려와 관심 가져주셔서 모두들 감사합니다^^” 좋은 소식에 함께 기뻐하는 믿음의 식구들을 주심을 감사하며 새해를 출발합니다.
On the fifth day of the new year, I received this KakaoTalk message: "Pastor, I'm writing to share the first piece of good news for the new year ^^ Your book, Reading Expository Sermons: Revelation, has been selected for the Grand Prize at the annual Korea Christian Publishing Culture Awards hosted by the Korea Christian Publishers Association." "As this has only been notified to the publishers so far, our publications department plans to announce it via social media once it is made official ^^" "Thank you for the delightful news ^^ Thank you for all your hard work~~ May this have a positive influence on its distribution ^^" "Yes, thank you, Pastor! ^^"
Now that an article has appeared in the Kukmin Ilbo stating, "The Korea Christian Publishers Association announced on the 7th that it has selected 'Reading Expository Sermons: Revelation 1 & 2' (Joy Books), authored by President Keun-Doo Jung of Ezra Bible Graduate University, as the Grand Prize winner of the 38th Korea Christian Publishing Culture Awards," it is no longer something to keep under wraps. Upon hearing this news, excitement erupted across our group chats—from the faculty and staff prayer room at Ezra Bible Graduate University to the Mimokyeon chat room, comprised of colleagues who once ministered with me at Ulsan Church and are now serving as senior pastors, missionaries, and professors.
First, from the prayer room of Ezra Bible Graduate University:
"Wow~ This is incredible!!! President, congratulations! ^^"
"We'll definitely have to celebrate when you come up. Congratulations!"
"Congratulations~ I believe this is a gift that God has granted to you, President, and to our school, Ezra. Looking forward to the other gifts the Lord will grant Ezra this year ^^"
"I am even more grateful because I have all of you to rejoice with me~~"
"Congratulations. What a precious gift at the start of the year ^^"
"The Grand Prize! That is truly remarkable. Congratulations, President. ^^ Such wonderful news right from the beginning of the new year. I pray this year will be filled with good news for Ezra."
"Congratulations on the Grand Prize, President. Sharing in your joy~"
"Yes, I hope good news will blossom across Ezra this year just like cherry blossoms on campus in spring."
"President, heartfelt congratulations! When I read it, I thought it was such a wonderful book; this is truly a joyous occasion."
"President, congratulations~ ^^ You have borne great fruit in your precious ministry. May this book be used even more fruitfully in the days ahead~"
"Wow, congratulations, President!! What a celebration~~"
"Congratulations, President~~!! Since you received the Grand Prize, shouldn't you treat us all to a meal? Haha."
"I should certainly treat anyone who asks~~ Though sadly, the prize is awarded to the publishing house ^^"
Next came the messages from the Mimokyeon group chat:
"Wow~~ Congratulations, Pastor~ Thank you for giving such a precious gift to the Korean church :)"
"Pastor... congratulations... Why do I feel so happy myself? Hahaha."
"Congratulations~!!!"
"Congratulations!"
"Back in seminary, Pastor Shin gave me your Revelation book as a gift. Even with the passage of time, a masterpiece remains a masterpiece~"
"Pastor, that means I'm holding a rare first edition~"
"Aha~~ Is that so? Blessed are you who have a friend that gifts you such a book, even more than the book itself."
"Yes, but he is so far away that it doesn't help me much practically~ My pastoral visitation gift list for this year is pretty much settled now ^^"
"That's a rare edition that neither Pastor Chang nor even the author possesses~~"
"Pastor~ Congratulations."
"Even if he is far away, as long as the bond lasts, you will feel increasingly grateful over time ^^"
"Yes, I will keep that in mind~ It was thanks to that friend that I was able to come to Ulsan Church... and join the fellowship in Mimokyeon. Truly, he is a lifelong friend to whom I am deeply grateful~"
"Pastor, congratulations. I am so thrilled."
"Even though we are apart, I miss my friend and pray for him from time to time ^^"
"'No separate award is presented to the author...' That's a pity... But we are so grateful that you, Pastor, have been the greatest gift to us~"
"'No separate award is presented to the author...' I find that quite a pity too... Demands for a celebratory treat are coming from every direction, but the Korea Christian Publishers Association doesn't seem to realize that! Haha."
"Wow~~ President, congratulations! Haha . . . I'm really not someone who reads books, but I must buy and read this one! Haha."
"Deaconess, may you hear the voice of our gracious Lord as you read it~~"
"Please take care of your health always, and please keep publishing more great books ^^"
"Thank you for your encouragement. This year, my commentary on Luke will begin to be published by Duranno starting in spring ^^"
"Wow~~ As expected, truly wonderful! In fact, I've had so many questions about the Gospel of Luke, so I'm really looking forward to it. On a warm spring day, after reading your books, I'd love to pay you a visit, President. Please sign my book and, if you're not too busy, share a cup of coffee with me ^^"
"An autograph and coffee—most certainly~~ The president's time is always reserved for our alumni ^^"
"A friend and I have started reading Reading Expository Sermons: Revelation together again. We decided to read just two chapters a day slowly and share our thoughts along the way ^^ We will read with the hope that 'gradually, the voice of heaven will be heard, and renewed strength will be granted to the pilgrim's journey.' Thank you ^^"
"Having such a companion is indeed a gift from God. May many pilgrims gain strength as they read Reading Expository Sermons: Revelation ^^"
"From the publisher's perspective, they hope it leads to sales; from the author's perspective, rather than mere congratulations or having it sit on a shelf, I wish to meet readers who read it attentively from cover to cover; and our Lord surely desires that believers who pray and yearn, 'Amen. Come, Lord Jesus~~,' will multiply like cherry blossoms blooming in full glory on a spring day. Thank you all for your encouragement and warm interest ^^"
I begin the new year with deep gratitude for being blessed with a family of faith who rejoice together in good news.
Op die vyfde dag van die nuwe jaar het ek hierdie KakaoTalk-boodskap ontvang: "Dominee, ek deel graag die eerste goeie nuus van die nuwe jaar ^^ U boek, Lees van verklarende preke: Openbaring, is deur die Koreaanse Christelike Uitgewersvereniging aangewys as die Hoofpryswenner vir die jaarlikse Koreaanse Uitgewerskultuurtoekennings." "Aangesien dit tans slegs aan die uitgewers bekend gemaak is, beplan ons publikasie-afdeling om dit via sosiale media bekend te stel sodra dit amptelik gemaak word ^^" "Dankie vir die heuglike nuus ^^ Baie dankie vir al julle harde werk~~ Mag dit 'n geseënde uitwerking op die verspreiding hê ^^" "Ja, baie dankie, Dominee! ^^"
Noudat daar 'n berig in die Kukmin Ilbo verskyn het wat lui: "Die Koreaanse Christelike Uitgewersvereniging het op die 7de bekend gemaak dat 'Lees van verklarende preke: Openbaring 1 & 2' (Joy Books), geskryf deur Rektor Keun-Doo Jung van Ezra Bybelse Nagraadse Universiteit, aangewys is as die Hoofpryswenner van die 38ste Koreaanse Christelike Uitgewerskultuurtoekennings," is dit nie meer iets wat stilgehou hoef te word nie. Toe hierdie nuus bekend word, het 'n groot vreugde losgebars in ons kletsgroepe—van die personeel- en fakulteitsgebedskamer by Ezra tot by die Mimokyeon-groepklets, wat bestaan uit kollegas wat vroeër saam met my by Ulsan Gemeente gedien het en nou as leraars, sendelinge en professore werksaam is.
Eers uit die gebedskamer van Ezra Bybelse Nagraadse Universiteit:
"Sjoe~ Dis ongelooflik!!! Baie geluk, Rektor ^^"
"Wanneer u opkom, moet ons beslis feesvier. Baie geluk!"
"Baie geluk~ Ek glo dit is 'n gawe wat God aan u, Rektor, en aan ons by Ezra geskenk het. Ons sien uit na die ander geskenke wat die Here hierdie jaar vir Ezra sal gee ^^"
"Ek is nog meer dankbaar omdat ek julle almal het om saam met my fees te vier~~"
"Baie geluk. Wat 'n kosbare geskenk aan die begin van die jaar ^^"
"Die Hoofprys! Dit is werklik merkwaardig. Baie geluk, Rektor. ^^ Regtig wonderlike nuus vroeg in die nuwe jaar. Mag hierdie jaar vir Ezra vol goeie nuus wees."
"Baie geluk met die Hoofprys, Rektor. Ons deel in u vreugde~"
"Ja, mag goeie nuus vanjaar by Ezra blom net soos die kersiebloeisels in die lente op kampus."
"Rektor, van harte geluk! Toe ek dit gelees het, het ek geweet dis 'n wonderlike boek; dit is werklik 'n groot heugenis."
"Rektor, baie geluk ~^^ U het ryke vrugte gepluk op 'n kosbare bediening. Mag die boek vorentoe selfs tot groter seën gebruik word~"
"Sjoe, baie geluk, Rektor!! Wat 'n heuglike geleentheid~~"
"Baie geluk, Rektor~~!! Noudat u die Hoofprys gewen het, moet u ons sekerlik trakteer, nie waar nie? Haha."
"Ek sal met graagte elkeen trakteer wat vra~~ Alhoewel die prys ongelukkig aan die uitgewer toegeken word ^^"
Daarna volg die Mimokyeon-groepklets:
"Sjoe~~ Baie geluk, Dominee~ Dankie dat u so 'n kosbare geskenk aan die Koreaanse kerk gegee het :)"
"Dominee.. baie geluk... Hoekom voel ek self so uitgelate gelukkig.. hahaha."
"Baie geluk~!!!"
"Baie geluk!"
"My vriend, ds. Shin, het my jare gelede tydens ons teologiese kweekskooljare Dominee se Openbaring-boek as geskenk gegee. Selfs met die verloop van tyd bly 'n meesterstuk 'n meesterstuk~"
"Dominee, dit beteken ek besit eintlik 'n seldsame eksemplaar~"
"Aha~~ Is dit so? Geseënd is jy wat 'n vriend het wat vir jou so 'n boek present gee, selfs meer as die boek self."
"Ja, maar hy is so ver weg dat dit my nie juis prakties help nie~ My lysie vir huisbesoekgeskenke vir vanjaar is omtrent nou al bepaal ^^"
"Dis 'n seldsame uitgawe wat nóg ds. Chang nóg die skrywer self besit~~"
"Dominee~ Baie geluk."
"Selfs al is hy ver weg, solank die vriendskap lank duur, sal die dankbaarheid net toeneem ^^"
"Ja, ek sal dit ter harte neem~ Dit was danksy daardie vriend dat ek na Ulsan Gemeente kon kom... en deel kon word van die gemeenskap in Mimokyeon. Hy is werklik 'n lewenslange vriend vir wie ek innig dankbaar is~"
"Dominee, baie geluk. Ek is so bly."
"Al is ons ver van mekaar af, verlang ek na my vriend en bid ek kort-kort vir hom ^^"
"'Geen afsonderlike toekenning word aan die skrywer gegee nie...' Dis jammer... Maar ons is so dankbaar dat u, Dominee, vir ons die grootste geskenk geword het~"
"Geen afsonderlike toekenning vir die skrywer nie... Ek vind dit ook baie jammer... Van alle kante af word ek 'bedreig' om almal te trakteer, maar die Koreaanse Christelike Uitgewersvereniging besef dit seker nie, kyk maar! Haha."
"Sjoe~~ Rektor, baie geluk haha . . . Ek is regtig nie iemand wat boeke lees nie, maar hierdie een móét ek eenvoudig koop en lees haha."
"Kosterin, mag u die stem van die goeie Here hoor terwyl u dit lees~~"
"Pas asseblief altyd u gesondheid op en hou aan om goeie boeke die lig te laat sien ^^"
"Baie dankie vir die aanmoediging. Vanjaar sal my verklaring oor Lukas vanaf die lente by Duranno begin verskyn ^^"
"Sjoe~~ Soos verwag, voorwaar uitmuntend! Ek het eintlik baie vrae oor die Evangelie volgens Lukas gehad, so ek sien baie daarna uit. Op 'n lekker warm lentedag, nadat ek u boeke gelees het, wil ek u graag kom besoek, Rektor. Teken asseblief my boek vir my en, as u nie te besig is nie, skink gerus 'n koppie koffie saam ^^"
"'n Handtekening en koffie, natuurlik~~ Die rektor se tyd is altyd gereserveer vir ons alumni ^^"
"Ek en 'n vriend het weer Lees van verklarende preke: Openbaring begin lees. Ons het besluit om elke dag net twee hoofstukke rustig deur te werk en mekaar se gedagtes tussendeur te deel ^^ Ons sal lees met die hoop dat 'die stem van die hemel gaandeweg gehoor sal word en die pelgrim se voetstappe nuwe krag sal ontvang.' Baie dankie ^^"
"Om so 'n vriend te hê, is inderdaad 'n gawe van God. Mag baie pelgrims krag put uit die lees van Lees van verklarende preke: Openbaring ^^"
"Vanuit die uitgewer se oogpunt hoop hulle dit lei tot goeie verkope; vanuit die skrywer se oogpunt hoop ek, eerder as blote gelukwensings of dat die boek op 'n rak pryk, om lesers te vind wat dit aandagtig deurlees; en ons Here begeer sekerlik dat gelowiges wat bid en uitsien met 'Amen! Kom, Here Jesus~~', so talryk sal wees soos kersiebloeisels wat op 'n lentedag in volle glorie oopbreek. Baie dankie aan almal vir julle bemoediging en warm belangstelling ^^"
Ek begin die nuwe jaar met innige dankbaarheid vir geloofsgenote wat saam kan juig oor goeie nuus.