Statement on the Dispute of Heresy
Concerning Rev. Lim Borah’s Ministry
“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:40, NRSV)
The Heresy Counter-measuring Committee composed of eight denominations including the PCK (Hapdonng) has initiated the controversial dispute on heresy concerning Rev. Lim Borah’s ministry. We, the NCCK Women Committee, caution against it and state our position below.
The ministry of sexual minorities is not a matter of ‘yes or no’, and to ‘agree or disagree.’ Christians confess that the love of Jesus Christ is boundless. Therefore, just as Jesus did for us, Christian ministers must be with those who suffer from contempt and discrimination. The greatest teaching of Jesus is to tear down the walls of disdain and discrimination. Hence it pains us to face the cruel realities of how the Korean church is driving out and accusing a minister of heresy, one who is following the footsteps of Jesus. We must ask, is it right for a minister to treat sexual minorities as objects of hatred and sin and force them away from the church? It is absolutely wrong to accuse such a minister of heresy, who is trying to serve the suffered with compassion and sympathy.
For a long time, the global church, in general, and the mainline churches, in particular, have contemplated on and discussed deeply the sexual minority issues. Many partner churches in the ecumenical community such as United Church of Canada, Presbyterian Church in the USA, United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church in the USA acknowledge LGBT believers and ministers. It is the right time for the Korean church to deeply discuss with partner churches the ministry of sexual minorities and cooperate together.
Faith of sexual minority and what it means to have ministry with them is a grave contemporary question to which the Korean church must answer. Based on the substantial research conducted by modern medical science and science, the international society is moving toward a consensus to protect human rights of sexual minorities. The Heresy Counter-measuring along with leaders of the Korean churches should acknowledge that sexual minorities are not objects of hatred but fellow believers who desperately need love and pastoral cares.
Ecumenical solidarity means that we acknowledge differences and diversities and together make a journey toward God’s Reign. In ecumenical solidarity, the Church community must join hands in order to fulfill the mission given by God. NCCK Women’s Committee will work together with the Korean Church and the global ecumenical community to promote constructive ecumenical dialogues and discussions concerning the ministry of the sexual minority groups.
August 9, 2017
Rev. In Kum Ran
Chair, Women’s Committee National Council of Churches in Korea
