Exploring and Restoring the Wounds of Immigrants in the Korean Church in America Through Moses Öffentlichkeit

Abstract

Korean immigrants in the Americas have endured significant hardships, resulting in profound multifaceted wounds. These wounds are rooted in their experiences within American society and the churches they attend, characterized by feelings of separation, unstable identities, and a decline in self-esteem and confidence. These experiences have not only disrupted their personal lives but have also contributed to division and other issues within the church community.

It can be the figure of Moses serves as a potential archetype for Korean American immigrants that have had painful experiences due to the American socirty and the immigrant church.  Examining Moses' life reveals his own wounds from separation and division, leading to an unstable life due to a confusing identity and diminishing self-esteem and confidence. However, forming his new family from Midian and his encounter with God led to the healing of his wounds; he received soul care during those encounters. From the warm stability felt in a family without the worries of division, the establishment of identity through encounters with God and His calling, and the confidence and self-esteem found in God's unwavering and eternal promises of support, Moses found restoration.

It is believed that if churches today can provide the same level of soul care to their wounded Korean immigrant members as Moses received, not only will the healing of individual congregants' wounds be facilitated, but also the restoration of the communities to which they belong, particularly within the church, with its conflicts, both major and minor.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction (Context of the Korean Methodist Church and Institute)

II. Problem in the Church

II-1. Division and Separation within the Church Community

II-2. Living on the Margins in American Society

II-3. The Decline in Self-Esteem

III. Solution

III-1. Soul Care

III-2. Soul Care from the Bible (The Wounds and Cared of Moses)

III-2-a. The Wound of Community Separation

III-2-a’. Cared for in the Midian family

III-2-b. The Wound of Uncertain Identity

III-2-b’. Cared through an encounter with God (Identity, Spiritual Recovery)

III-2-c. The Wound of a limited Life

III-2-c’. Cared by experiencing God's work (Restoring Confidence and Self-Esteem)

IV. Application to Korean Communities

IV-1. Soul Care Plan 1. Preaching and Teaching

IV-2. Soul Care Plan 2. Soul Care Retreat

IV-3. Soul Care Plan 3. 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit

V. Conclusion

* Bibliography

About this Dissertation

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School	Candler School of Theology
Department	Ministry
Degree	DMin
Submission	Dissertation
Language	English
Research Field	Religion, Biblical Studies Asian American Studies Theology
Stichwort	Soul Care Korean Immigrant
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Roger Nam, Emory University
Committee Members	Roger Nam, Emory University

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