An Analysis of the Ga-Jung Church Model for Church Planting
Abstract
This dissertation observes and evaluates the Ga-Jung church ministry of Seoul Baptist Church of Houston for church planting. The Ga-Jung church, which possesses small groups, is similar to the church of Ralph W. Neighbour. In other words, a Ga-Jung church--or a mok-jang--is an evangelistic house church.
In Chapter 1 of the dissertation, I propose the Ga-Jung church as a church planting model being used by Seoul Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. In the process, I also offer background information to demonstrate my interest in the work and explain the study methodology.
Chapter 2 examines a biblical ecclesiology and church planting. I furnish the definition, nature, and functions of the church. I additionally study the definition, along with the biblical, theological, and missiological background of church planting. Moreover, I cover types and models of church planting and then suggest healthy church planting principles.
In Chapter 3, I provide a Ga-Jung church overview, including its definition, structure, and philosophy. I also searched for the Ga-Jung church's biblical background in the New Testament, with its ministry principles and examples that the early church utilized, as well as historical background in church history. Furthermore, I review Ga-Jung church strategies in evangelism, discipleship, worship, and missions.
Chapter 4 provides case studies of three recently planted churches that implement the Ga-Jung church model of Seoul Baptist Church of Houston: the Jubaragi Church in Vancouver, Canada; the Korean Community Church in Philadelphia, USA; and the Chamsarang Church in Pyeong-tack, South Korea.
Chapter 5 analyzes the SBCH Ga-Jung church model by employing healthy church planting principles to offer its critique.
Chapter 6 summarizes previous chapter findings and the Ga-Jung church system as a church planting model. Lastly, this chapter proposes four Ga-Jung church planting models and identifies areas for further research.