A program development on welfare ministry for the aged in Korean Union Conference

Abstract

The main purpose of the study is to develop a wellorganized welfare ministry program for the aged in Korean Union Conference. To achieve the purpose of this paper, a biblical and contextual study was conducted to establish a comprehensive foundation. For the biblical foundation, both the Old and New Testament were explored including the philosophy of Ellen G. White regarding welfare ministry. For the context, the history, background, and social problems of Korea were studied using historical documents. To determine the current needs and relevance of the social welfare ministry program, a need assessment was also done to complement the biblical and historical data. The biblical data showed that welfare ministry and word ministry are closely related and are strongly supported by the Bible, White and some Ante-Nicene Fathers. Interestingly, the Old Testament indicates that welfare ministry is related to Sabbath and has eschatological connections. In the New Testament, the early church considered it as a non-optional service to the community. The context reveals that senior welfare is a great demand in Korea. Both data from historical documents and need assessment reveal that doing welfare ministry by the church can be done in 2 ways. It can be done in an independent way or in cooperation with the government. Based on the biblical and contextual data, a Social Welfare Ministry Formation (SWMF) was introduced to cater a new welfare ministry program approach. The SWMF proposes a comprehensive program for the aged with special focus on 3 important dimensions of ministry~education, care, and service. These 3 dimensions touch on the mind, heart, and physical needs of the aged. The SWMF has its organizational structures, facilities, human and financial resources, and linkages to ensure its viability and sustainability in achieving its social and religious goals. To further strengthen and establish a more comprehensive social welfare ministry in Korea, the following are recommended: namely, developing programs for small size churches, fostering combined program by district churches, settling the deficiency of financials resources, and a comparative study of the consigned welfare centers in Korea.