요즈음은 책을 잘 읽지 않는다고들 합니다. 그렇다고 결코 읽어야 할 책이 사라진 것은 아닙니다. 다만 눈으로 봐야할 것들이 워낙 많아져서, 책을 읽기 위한 시간을 내기가 어려운 상황이 전개되었을 뿐입니다. 어제 오늘의 일은 아닙니다. 3년 전 지비티(GBT) 이사장 이취임식 자리였던 것으로 기억합니다. 점심을 먹을 때 옆에 앉은 온누리교회 이재훈 목사님께 물었습니다. “아직도 온누리와 두란노는 밀접한 관계가 있습니까?” 바로 알아들으시고 출판 때문이냐고 해서 말했습니다. “본래 제 누가복음 강해설교집이 두란노에서 나왔는데, 이제 누가복음 1장부터 24장까지 설교가 끝나고 출판을 하려고 하는데 … ” 바로 답을 해 주었습니다. “목사님 책은 마땅히 두란노에서 내어야지요”
실무를 모르는 목사들 사이에서 펼쳐진 이야기입니다. 그 말이 전달되었을 때 두란노 실무팀은 난색을 표했다는 후문을 전해 들었습니다. 본래 저의 생각은 강해설교 누가복음 출판은 모두 6권 정도의 전집으로 생각했지만, 그렇게 나오면 시장에서 책을 팔지 않겠다는 이야기와 같답니다. 본래 설교는 청중을 상대로 하는 것이지만 책은 독자를 대상으로 하는 것이니까, 현장설교의 반복도 필요하지 않고, 그 때 그 때의 시사적인 언급도 어울리지 않을 것입니다. 결국 설교 편수를 중간에 뺄 수는 없으니까, 한 편의 설교를 최대한 간추려서 3권으로 내기로 귀착이 되었습니다. 그래서 작년에 <구원사의 서곡>이 한 권 나오고, 올 연초에 <예수의 제자>가 나왔습니다. 이제 마지막 권을 남겨두고 있습니다. 빠르면 가을쯤 늦어지면 내년 봄에나 기대하고 있습니다.
단권의 책이라면 전집보다는 상황이 낫겠지만 크게 다르지 아니할 것입니다. 이번 손훈 목사님의 책, DNA 사역론 (Disciple Nations Alliance Ministry)은 목사님 자신의 필생의 과업이기도 하며, 모든 목회자의 목회사역에 꼭 필요한 책이지만, 독서시장에서의 반응은 결코 우호적이지는 않을 것입니다. 이런 분위기를 타개하기 위한 묘책으로 출판감사예배를 전국 각지에서 드리는 것을 기획하고 있습니다. 출판감사예배는 서울 부산 대구 등 큰 도시 뿐 아니라 제주까지 포함하고 있습니다. 출판감사예배의 구체적인 일정은 서울에서는 6/17(토)오후 3시에 서울교회(손달익 목사 시무)에서, 제주에서는 6/19(월) 오후 3시에 제주 아름다운교회(이종한 목사 시무)에서, 대구에서는 6/24(토) 오후 3시에 대구 늘푸른교회(이경종 목사 시무)에서, 그리고 부산에서는 7/1(토) 오후 3시에 해운대 운화교회(이현국 목사 시무)에서 드리게 됩니다.
아마 이 자리에 함께 한다면, 무엇보다 먼저 DNA(Dicsiple Nations Alliance)운동을 듣게 될 것입니다. DNA 운동이란, 위대한 계명(마 22:37-40)과 주님의 지상명령(마 28:18-20)에 근거하여, 성경적 세계관(Biblical Worldview)을 바탕으로, 전인적(영적, 육체적, 사회적, 지적) 사역(Wholistic Ministry)을 실천함으로써, 나라와 민족을 제자 삼는 운동을 말합니다. 사실 교단에 따라 영혼 구원, 사회 정의, 사회봉사, 은사 운동, 성경 공부 등에 중점을 두었습니다. 그래서 한국 교회는 급성장하는 복을 누렸지만, 전인적인 복음을 바로 전달하는데는 아쉬움이 있었습니다. 복음은 전인적(Wholistic)이기 때문입니다. 영적 구원뿐 아니라 지적, 사회적, 육체적인 부분의 회복뿐 아니라 복음 안에는 인간의 지평을 넘어 피조 세계 전체에 대한 하나님의 회복에의 의지와 능력이 담겨져 있습니다(골 1:20). 그러므로 DNA 운동은 바로 이러한 전인적 복음 회복 운동이며, 교회 본질 회복 운동이 일어나기를 바라며, 이를 통해 다시 한번 한국 교회가 주님의 기쁨이요 민족의 소망이요 열방의 빛이 되기를 열망하고 있는 손 목사님의 뜨거운 마음이 느껴질 것입니다.
People often say that nobody reads books these days. Yet, this never means that worthwhile books have ceased to exist. Rather, our eyes are drawn to so many visual distractions that making time to read has become remarkably difficult. This trend is certainly nothing new.
I recall a conversation from about three years ago at the inaugural and farewell ceremony for the board chair of GBT (Global Bible Translators). Over lunch, I asked Pastor Jaehoon Lee of Onnuri Church, who was seated next to me, "Does Onnuri Church still maintain a close relationship with Duranno Press?" He immediately understood my intent and asked if it was regarding publication. I explained, "Originally, my expository sermon series on the Gospel of Luke was published by Duranno. Now that I have finished preaching through Luke from chapter 1 to 24, I would like to publish the complete work..." Without hesitation, he replied, "Pastor, your books must rightfully be published by Duranno."
It was a pleasant conversation between pastors unfamiliar with the practical mechanics of publishing. Later, I heard that Duranno's editorial and publishing team expressed considerable dismay upon hearing this. My original vision was to publish the complete Luke sermon series in about six volumes, but in publishing terms, that was virtually equivalent to asking the market not to sell them at all. While sermons are delivered live to an immediate congregation, books are written for reading audiences; hence, verbal repetitions natural to the pulpit must be trimmed, and transient, time-bound references become obsolete. Because we could not simply skip any of the sermons, we agreed to condense each sermon as much as possible and release the series in three volumes. Consequently, The Overture to Salvation History was published last year, followed by Disciples of Jesus early this year. Now, only the final volume remains. I hope to see it in print by this autumn at the earliest, or next spring at the latest.
While a single volume may fare slightly better than a multi-volume collection, the general situation remains largely unchanged. Pastor Hoon Son's new book, DNA Ministry (Disciple Nations Alliance Ministry), represents the culmination of his lifelong calling and serves as an indispensable resource for every minister's pastoral work; nevertheless, the reception in the secular book market is unlikely to be very favorable. To overcome this challenging climate, book launch thanksgiving services are being organized across the country. These services will take place not only in major metropolitan centers like Seoul, Busan, and Daegu, but also on Jeju Island. The detailed schedule for these services is as follows: Seoul on Saturday, June 17, at 3:00 PM at Seoul Church (pastored by Rev. Dal-Ik Sohn); Jeju on Monday, June 19, at 3:00 PM at Jeju Areumdaun Church (pastored by Rev. Jong-Han Lee); Daegu on Saturday, June 24, at 3:00 PM at Daegu Neulpoorun Church (pastored by Rev. Kyung-Jong Lee); and Busan on Saturday, July 1, at 3:00 PM at Haeundae Woonhwa Church (pastored by Rev. Hyun-Kook Lee).
If you join these gatherings, you will, above all, be introduced to the DNA (Disciple Nations Alliance) movement. Grounded in the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37–40) and the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20), and rooted in a biblical worldview, the DNA movement seeks to disciple nations through holistic ministry—touching the spiritual, physical, social, and intellectual dimensions of human life. In truth, different denominations have historically placed their distinct emphases on evangelism, social justice, charitable service, charismatic renewal, or Bible study. As a result, although the Korean church was blessed with rapid institutional growth, there remained a palpable void in communicating the gospel in its full, holistic integrity. For the gospel is inherently holistic. It encompasses not merely spiritual redemption, but also the restoration of intellectual, social, and physical wholeness; indeed, within the gospel lies God’s gracious will and power to redeem the entire created order far beyond human horizons (Col. 1:20). Therefore, the DNA movement is fundamentally an endeavor to restore this holistic gospel and revive the very essence of the church. Through this book and these gatherings, you will surely sense Pastor Son's fervent prayer that the Korean church may once again become the joy of our Lord, the hope of our nation, and a light to the ends of the earth.
Mense sê dikwels dat niemand deesdae meer boeke lees nie. Tog beteken dit geensins dat die boeke wat die moeite werd is om te lees, verdwyn het nie. Daar is tans bloot soveel dinge wat ons oë besig hou dat dit buitengewoon moeilik geword het om tyd in te ruim om te lees. Hierdie verskynsel is glad nie nuut nie.
Ek onthou 'n gesprek van sowat drie jaar gelede tydens die ampsaanvaarding en afskeid van die direksievoorsitter van GBT (Global Bible Translators). Tydens middagete het ek vir ds. Jaehoon Lee van die Onnuri Gemeente, wat langs my gesit het, gevra: "Het Onnuri en Duranno nog steeds 'n hegte verbintenis?" Hy het my bedoeling dadelik begryp en gevra of dit oor 'n publikasie handel. Ek het geantwoord: "Aanvanklik is my verklarende preekbundel oor die Evangelie volgens Lukas deur Duranno uitgegee. Noudat my prediking deur Lukas 1 tot 24 voltooi is, wil ek dit graag as 'n volledige stel publiseer..." Sonder huiwering het hy geantwoord: "Dominee, u boeke hoort sonder twyfel by Duranno te verskyn."
Dit was 'n hartlike gesprek tussen predikante wat nie ten volle vertroud was met die praktiese sake van die uitgewersbedryf nie. Later het ek verneem dat Duranno se publikasiespan heelwat kommer uitgespreek het toe hulle hiervan hoor. My aanvanklike gedagte was om die volledige preekreeks oor Lukas in sowat ses boekdele uit te gee, maar in die mark sou so 'n stel feitlik gelykstaan daaraan om te sê dat mens die boeke glad nie wil verkoop nie. Terwyl 'n preek tot 'n lewende gemeente gerig is, is 'n boek immers vir 'n leserspubliek bedoel; herhalings wat eie is aan die preekstoel is oorbodig, en aktuele verwysings van daardie spesifieke oomblik pas nie altyd in drukwerk nie. Aangesien ons nie sommer preke tussenin kon weglaat nie, is daar uiteindelik besluit om elke preek so ver moontlik te verdig en die reeks in drie dele te publiseer. Gevolglik het Die Voorspel tot die Verlossingsgeskiedenis verlede jaar die lig gesien, en vroeër vanjaar het Dissipels van Jesus verskyn. Nou bly slegs die laaste deel oor. Ek hoop dit sal op sy vroegste teen die herfs, of andersins teen volgende lente, gereed wees.
Al vaar 'n enkele boekdeel gewoonlik beter as 'n volledige versamelwerk, bly die breër situasie maar taamlik dieselfde. Ds. Hoon Son se nuwe boek, DNA-bediening (Disciple Nations Alliance Ministry), verteenwoordig die vrug van sy lewenstaak en is 'n onontbeerlike handleiding vir elke leraar se pastorale dienswerk; nogtans sal die ontvangs op die algemene boekemark waarskynlik nie baie gunstig wees nie. Ten einde hierdie uitdagende klimaat die hoof te bied, word dankdienste vir die boek se bekendstelling regoor die land beplan. Hierdie dankdienste sluit nie net groot stede soos Seoel, Busan en Daegu in nie, maar ook Jeju-eiland. Die spesifieke program vir die dienste is soos volg: in Seoel op Saterdag 17 Junie om 15:00 by die Seoul Gemeente (bedien deur ds. Dal-Ik Sohn); in Jeju op Maandag 19 Junie om 15:00 by die Jeju Areumdaun Gemeente (bedien deur ds. Jong-Han Lee); in Daegu op Saterdag 24 Junie om 15:00 by die Daegu Neulpoorun Gemeente (bedien deur ds. Kyung-Jong Lee); en in Busan op Saterdag 1 Julie om 15:00 by die Haeundae Woonhwa Gemeente (bedien deur ds. Hyun-Kook Lee).
As u hierdie byeenkomste bywoon, sal u allereers meer hoor oor die DNA-beweging (Disciple Nations Alliance). Hierdie beweging is gegrond op die Groot Gebod (Matt. 22:37–40) en die Groot Opdrag van die Here (Matt. 28:18–20). Vanuit 'n Bybelse wêreldbeskouing streef dit daarna om nasies en volke tot dissipels te maak deur 'n holistiese (geestelike, liggaamlike, maatskaplike en intellektuele) bediening te beoefen. Verskillende kerkverbande het in die verlede dikwels afsonderlike klem gelê op sielewenning, sosiale geregtigheid, gemeenskapsdiens, charismatiese gawes of Bybelstudie. Gevolglik is die Koreaanse kerk wel geseën met snelle getallegroei, maar daar was 'n leemte wat betref die getroue oordra van die volle, holistiese evangelie. Die evangelie is immers wesenlik holisties. Dit behels nie net geestelike verlossing nie, maar ook die herstel van die verstandelike, sosiale en liggaamlike aspekte van die lewe; trouens, die evangelie omsluit God se genadige wil en krag om die ganse skepping ver buite die menslike horison te herstel (Kol. 1:20). Daarom is die DNA-beweging juis 'n beweging wat strewe na die herstel van hierdie integrale evangelie en die herontdekking van die kerk se ware wese. Deur hierdie boek en dienste sal u sonder twyfel ds. Son se vurige verlange aanvoel dat die Koreaanse kerk opnuut die vreugde van die Here, die hoop van ons volk en 'n lig vir die nasies sal wees.