Yoido Full Gospel Church "Female Senior District Leaders Should Also Emerge... Will Improve Treatment"

On the 16th, when the government raised the social distancing measures to Level 2 in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), churchgoers were leaving the sanctuary after Sunday worship at Yeouido Full Gospel Church in Seoul. Religious facilities, classified as medium-risk facilities, are regulated under the assembly restriction administrative orders of Seoul City and Gyeonggi Province. Regular worship services, masses, and Buddhist ceremonies are allowed provided essential quarantine rules are strictly followed, but various small gatherings or meal meetings among congregants are prohibited. Violating the order may result in a ban on even regular assemblies. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Yoido Full Gospel Church announced a personnel policy to significantly improve the treatment of female clergy members.

Yoido Full Gospel Church stated in a press release, "For female clergy members who have worked for more than 15 years, we will improve their treatment to the level of institution heads, and for senior female evangelists, we will open the path to receive pastoral ordination next year in consultation with the General Assembly."

The pastoral ordination for female evangelists was proposed to be achieved by completing a special 8 to 12-week pastoral research institute course at the General Assembly level of their affiliated denomination, the Christian Council of Korea Full Gospel (Gihaseong). Currently, Gihaseong allows men to receive pastoral ordination after three years and women after ten years of evangelist service. In particular, this aims to assist older female evangelists who missed the opportunity to study at theological seminaries and thus could not receive ordination.

Senior Pastor Lee Young-hoon emphasized, "I ask female clergy members to do their best in ministry so that even a female district superintendent can emerge," and added, "Starting with this personnel change, we will pay attention to improving the treatment of clergy members and ensure proper respect."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.