1977년에 고신 경기노회에서 목사안수를 받았습니다. 서울서문교회에서 부목사로서 사역을 했습니다. 하긴 그 때 대학부 학생이 묻더군요 그럼 언제 목사가 되냐고요. 교회 배경이 없던 그로서는 회장, 부회장 아니면 사장 부사장 개념으로 생각했으니 이제 부목사가 되었다면 언제쯤 목사가 되는지가 궁금했나 봅니다. 그리고는 남아공으로 유학을 떠나서 8년을 공부하고 돌아왔습니다. 1986년에 장승배기에서 “흩어진 사람들이 모이는 두레교회”를 시작해서 1989년쯤 정릉에서 “흩어져 복음을 전하는 탄포리교회”를 분립개척해서 섬기다가 1995년 말부터 2019년 말까지 24년을 울산교회에서 사역을 했습니다.
제 아내는 두레교회, 탄포리교회에서 새가족반을 꾸준히 섬겨서 어느 교회 담임 목사님처럼 그 문하에서 새가족을 했다고 자랑하는 분도 있습니다. 그러고 보니 옛날 가말리엘 문하생들처럼 꽤 많은 목사 장로들도 거쳐갔습니다. 저희가 ‘<주님의 보배교회>’에 새가족이 되었다는 지난 번 칼럼을 읽고, 울산교회 성도들로서는 생소했을 겁니다. 그래서 “목사님께서 새가족이시라니!!!^^ 제가 새가족부 섬기고 있는데 오늘은 (우리 교회에서) 새로 시작된 바나바교육 받고 왔습니다”라고 소리칩니다. 지난 주 칼럼 “‘새로운 시작’에는 계절의 기쁨만이 아니라 놀랍고도 기쁨의 소식도 담겨 있네요. 아내와 함께 저희도 주보배 가족이 되신 두 분께 열렬한 환영 인사를 전합니다. 두 분의 주보배 등록을 축하하는 연주영상 보내 드립니다.”
수 많은 분들이 축하해 왔습니다. “새가족 등록을 축하드립니다 이름을 들어보니 참 좋은 교회같습니다. 주님의 보배같은 교회^^” “신앙의 선조들도 야곱이 아니라 이스라엘로 불리듯이 역시 작명이 중요합니다.” “다시 한번 작명의 중요성을 배웁니다ㅎ 정말 탐나는 교회 이름입니다^^” “ㅎㅎ 역시 교회는 생물이예요. Off line이라야 ” “네 그렇습니다. 시공간에 뿌리박아야 자랄 수 있는 생명체입니다. 천상의 주님과 연결된 성도는 지상의 교회에 속해야 옳습니다. 코로나 시대의 병폐를 이제는 벗어던지고 자수하여 광명 찾아야지요 ㅋㅋ” 유튜브로 설교도 듣고 이와 같이 칼럼을 주고 받으며 온라인으로 교제할 수 있습니다만 오프라인 교제를 대신할 수는 없습니다.
“목사님과 사모님 입장에서 심방만 하시다가 심방 받으시면 정말 새로우시겠습니다^^” “울창한 숲속환경 속에서 두 분의 건강함과 어린 아이의 믿음으로 교회 새롭게 등록하셔서 참으로 노년을 하나님의보상으로 잘지내시니 너무 감사하며, 작은 한국의 천국생활을 누리는듯 합니다. 바쁘신 일정속에서 소식주셔서 너무 감사합니다. 건강하게 아름답게 사시는 두 분 목사님의 남은 삶도 더복된 생활되시기를 기도합니다~~♡” “목사님 다양한 경험을 누리시는 군요 ㅎㅎㅎ 모든 상황속에서 스토리를 엮어가시는 걸음마다 감사기쁨 충만하시기를 응원해요 오우 성도로서의 새출발! 가끔씩은 농땡이도 치고 하십쇼 ㅎㅎㅎ “ “절친인 장 목사님이 젤 좋아하셨을 것 같습니다^^~”
함께 기뻐하고 축하해 주는 것뿐만 아니라 <주님의보배교회> 담임 목사님 걱정까지 해 주는 분들도 있었습니다.” ‘끈끈하고 깊은 유대감’이 있는 교회에 새신자가 되신 것을 축하드립니다^^” “진짜 아름다운 모습입니다~ 담임목사님께서도 조심스럽지만 든든하고 행복하실 것 같습니다” 그래도 이 정도는 양호합니다. “드디어 교회 등록을 하셨군요. 새가족 되신 것을 축하드립니다. 새가족 교육을 받으셔야 할텐데, 그 교회가 감당을 할 수 있을지 모르겠네요 ㅎㅎ 주님의 보배로운 자녀들이 모인 거룩한 공동체의 일원이 되신 것을 축하드립니다(하트)” 어떤 분은 더 나아가 노골적으로 우리 담임 목사님의 설교사역까지 입을 댑니다. 부담되실 것 같다고! 그래서 목사님의 편안한 성격 때문인지 신기하리만큼 부담없이 당신 스타일대로 잘 하신다고 안심시켰습니다. “네, 저는 설교심사위원으로 간 것이 아니라 한 사람의 새가족으로 등록한 것입니다.” 이제 남은 꿈이 있다면 저녁 노을처럼 영글어가는 아름다운 노년이고 싶습니다.
In 1977, I was ordained into the ministry by the Gyeonggi Presbytery of the Kosin denomination. I served as an associate pastor at Seoul Seomoon Church. Back then, a college student actually asked me when I would finally become a "pastor." Lacking any church background, he understood the title in corporate terms like president and vice president—or director and associate director—so he naturally wondered when an "associate pastor" would be promoted to full "pastor." After that, I went to South Africa to study abroad and returned after eight years. In 1986, I planted Dure Church in Jangseungbaegi under the motto "A gathering of the scattered," and around 1989, I planted and served Tanpori Church in Jeongneung under the vision "Scattering to proclaim the Gospel." From late 1995 until the end of 2019, I served for twenty-four years at Ulsan Church.
My wife faithfully led the new members' class at both Dure Church and Tanpori Church for so long that a certain senior pastor still fondly boasts of having been nurtured under her wing as a newcomer. Looking back, quite a few pastors and elders passed through her class, much like students sitting at the feet of Gamaliel of old. When the congregation of Ulsan Church read my previous column sharing that we had registered as "new family members" at "Lord’s Treasure Church," it must have felt quite novel to them. One exclaimed, "Pastor, you are a new family member now?!!^^ I serve on our church's new members ministry, and just today I completed the newly launched Barnabas training!" Another wrote in response to last week's column: "'A New Beginning' brings not only the joy of the season, but such wonderful and joyful news. My wife and I warmly welcome the two of you as fellow members of the Lord's Treasure family. We're sending along a musical performance video to celebrate your registration at Lord’s Treasure Church!"
So many people sent their warm congratulations: "Congratulations on registering as new members! Judging by its name, it sounds like such a wonderful church—a church precious as the Lord's own treasure.^^" "Just as the patriarchs of faith were called Israel rather than Jacob, choosing the right name is so important." "Once again, I learn the power of a good name, haha. It's truly an enviable church name!^^" "Haha, the church is truly a living organism. It has to be offline!" "Yes, indeed. It is a living body that can only grow when rooted in real time and space. Believers united with the Lord in heaven belong rightfully to a local church on earth. It's high time we shake off the ailments of the pandemic era and come out into the light, haha." While we can listen to sermons on YouTube and exchange columns online, virtual fellowship can never replace gathering in person.
"Pastor and Mrs. Jung, after spending a lifetime making pastoral visits, it must feel entirely new to be on the receiving end!^^" "Surrounded by lush forests, registering anew in church with youthful vigor and child-like faith—to spend your golden years blessed by God's reward fills my heart with gratitude; it feels as if you are living a little heaven right here in Korea. Thank you so much for sharing your news despite your busy schedule. We pray that your remaining years together will be filled with even richer blessings as you live healthy, beautiful lives~~♡" "Pastor, you are enjoying such a wide variety of experiences, haha! We cheer you on as you weave beautiful stories through every circumstance of life, praying each step is filled with gratitude and joy. A fresh start as an ordinary parishioner! Feel free to slack off a little once in a while, haha!" "I bet your dear friend, Pastor Jang, was the happiest of all!^^~"
Beyond simply rejoicing and congratulating us, some also expressed playful concern for the senior pastor of Lord’s Treasure Church. "Congratulations on becoming new members of a church with such tight-knit and deep bonds!^^" "What a truly lovely picture~ I imagine the senior pastor feels both deeply cautious and yet immensely supported and happy." Still, that was mild compared to: "You've finally registered at a church! Congratulations on becoming new members. You'll need to go through the new believers' class, but I wonder if that church can handle such a student! Haha. Congratulations on joining a holy fellowship where the Lord’s precious children gather (heart)." Someone even went so far as to voice concern regarding his preaching ministry, wondering aloud if preaching before us might feel burdensome! I reassured them that perhaps because of his easygoing nature, our pastor preaches wonderfully in his own natural style without feeling intimidated at all. "Indeed, I didn't join the church as a sermon judge, but simply registered as a fellow brother and a new family member." If there is one dream left for my remaining years, it is to ripen gracefully and beautifully, like the gentle glow of the evening sunset.
In 1977 is ek deur die Kosin Gyeonggi-ring tot die evangeliebediening georden. Ek het as medeleraar in die Seoel Seomoon-gemeente gedien. Destyds het 'n universiteitstudent my wraggies gevra wanneer ek dan nou eintlik 'n "leraar" sou word. Omdat hy geen kerklike agtergrond gehad het nie, het hy dit beskou in terme van maatskappye—soos 'n president en visepresident, of 'n direkteur en onderdirekteur—en gewonder wanneer 'n "medeleraar" uiteindelik tot volle "leraar" bevorder sou word. Daarna is ek na Suid-Afrika om agt jaar lank te studeer, waarna ek teruggekeer het. In 1986 het ek Dure-gemeente in Jangseungbaegi begin onder die leuse "'n Vergadering van die verstrooides," en omstreeks 1989 het ek Tanpori-gemeente in Jeongneung as 'n dogtergemeente geplant en bedien onder die visie "Verstrooi om die evangelie te verkondig." Vanaf laat 1995 tot einde 2019 het ek vir vier-en-twintig jaar lank in Ulsan Gemeente gedien.
My vrou het die nuwelidmaatklasse by sowel Dure- as Tanpori-gemeente met groot toewyding behartig, en daar is vandag leraars wat met trots vertel dat hulle onder haar leiding as nuwe lidmate gevorm is. As ek daaraan dink, het heelwat predikante en ouderlinge deur haar hande gegaan, soos destyds die leerlinge van Gamáliël. Toe die lidmate van Ulsan Gemeente my vorige rubriek lees waarin ek deel dat ons as "nuwe gesinslede" by "Die Here se Kosbare Gemeente" aangesluit het, moes dit vir hulle baie vreemd geklink het. Een het uitgeroep: "Dominee, is u nou 'n nuwe lidmaat?!!^^ Ek dien juis in ons nuwelidmaatbediening en het vandag die nuwe Barnabas-opleiding voltooi!" Nog iemand het na aanleiding van verlede week se rubriek geskryf: "'n Nuwe Begin' bevat nie net die vreugde van die seisoen nie, maar wonderlike en vreugdevolle nuus. Saam met my vrou heet ons u albei hartlik welkom as deel van die Kosbare Gemeente-familie. Ons stuur 'n musiekvideo om julle aansluiting te vier!"
Tallose mense het hulle gelukwensinge gestuur: "Baie geluk met u registrasie as nuwe lidmate! Te oordeel aan die naam klink dit na 'n wonderlike gemeente—'n gemeente soos 'n kosbare skat vir die Here.^^" "Net soos die geloofsvaders nie meer Jakob nie maar Israel genoem is, bly 'n goeie naam van kardinale belang." "Ek besef weer eens hoe belangrik 'n naam is, haha. Dit is waarlik 'n benydenswaardige gemeentenaam!^^" "Haha, die kerk is inderdaad 'n lewende organisme. Dit moet van aangesig tot aangesig wees!" "Ja, beslis. Dit is 'n lewende liggaam wat slegs kan groei wanneer dit in tyd en ruimte gewortel is. Gelowiges wat aan die hemelse Heer verbind is, hoort tuis in 'n aardse plaaslike gemeente. Dit is tyd om die pandemie-gewoontes af te skud en weer voluit in die lig te leef, haha." Al kan 'n mens na preke op YouTube luister en rubrieke aanlyn uitruil, kan virtuele gemeenskap nooit die lewende samesyn vervang nie.
"Dominee en mevrou Jung, nadat julle 'n lewe lank huisbesoek gedoen het, moet dit 'n heeltemal nuwe ervaring wees om self besoek te ontvang!^^" "Om te midde van 'n welige boswêreld met goeie gesondheid en kinderlike geloof opnuut by 'n gemeente aan te sluit, en so julle goue jare as God se beloning te geniet, maak 'n mens diep dankbaar; dit voel asof julle 'n stukkie hemel hier in Korea beleef. Baie dankie dat u ondanks u besige program nuus deel. Ons bid dat die jare wat voorlê vir u albei nog ryker geseën sal wees~~♡" "Dominee, u beleef voorwaar allerhande nuwe dinge, haha! Ons hou styf duimvas terwyl u in elke lewensomstandigheid 'n pragtige storie weef, en bid dat elke tree vol dankbaarheid en vreugde sal wees. 'n Vars begin as 'n gewone gemeentelid! Voel vry om nou en dan selfs 'n bietjie lyf weg te steek, haha!" "Ek dink u boesemvriend, leraar Jang, was seker die heel blyste!^^~"
Benewens diegene wat saam feesgevier en gelukgewens het, was daar ook mense wat skertsend hulle besorgdheid oor die leraar van Die Here se Kosbare Gemeente uitgespreek het. "Veels geluk met u aansluiting by 'n gemeente met sulke hegte en diep bande!^^" "Dit is werklik pragtig om te sien~ Ek glo die leraar voel versigtig, maar tog ook geweldig bemoedig en geseënd." Tog was dit nog sagkens gestel vergeleke met: "U het uiteindelik by 'n gemeente aangesluit! Baie geluk as nuwe lidmate. Julle sal seker die nuwelidmaatkursus moet deurloop, maar ek wonder of daardie gemeente so 'n student sal kan hanteer! Haha. Baie geluk dat julle deel geword het van 'n heilige gemeenskap van die Here se kosbare kinders (hartjie)." Iemand het selfs openlik gevra of dit nie vir die predikant 'n reuse las sal wees om voor ons te preek nie! Ek het hulle egter gerusgestel dat ons leraar, dalk weens sy ontspanne geaardheid, verbasend gemaklik en getrou in sy eie styl preek sonder om hom te laat afskrik. "Inderdaad, ek het nie daarheen gegaan as 'n preekbeoordelaar nie, maar het bloot as 'n eenvoudige nuwe lidmaat aangesluit." As daar nog een droom vir my oorblywende jare is, is dit om soos die sagte gloed van 'n aandson mooi en ryp oud te word.