Presbyterian churches ban familial succession

The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, one of the most influential groups of Presbyterian churches in the country, on Friday passed a motion banning church leaders from passing down their position to family.

After four days of marathon discussions, the motion was passed 209 to 49, banning member churches from inviting or appointing a person to an elder or pastor position should his or her blood relatives or spouse be already serving the duty at the same institution.

The PCRK is the third Protestant faction to adopt a bylaw banning familial succession, following the Korean Methodist Church last year and the Presbyterian Church of Korea earlier this month. The General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea, the largest Protestant church group in the nation, also banned familial succession on Friday, although without adopting a formal rule.

Familial succession has been criticized for allowing ministers of large churches to bequeath the leadership position to their children. Some large churches such as Chunghyeon Church and Wangsung Church have reportedly adopted such a system, leaving congregations split over the practice.

By Bae Ji-ook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)