earticle

영어

Like other diaconical work that use state money for their work the Korean Church diakonia faces a dilemma. On the one hand it risks that their impassioned work is not recognized as a Christian achievement. It is in danger of withering in the shadow of the state system of social help. On the other hand it must not be suspected of attracting new church members with the help state funds. In this situation it is of vital importance to provide a unique, markedly different help without giving up the cooperation with state social work. This paper intends to point out how this difficult task can be carried out with the help of theological reflection. The diaconical work of the Korean Churches must make clear that it is only willing to offer "help to help yourself". It does not accept a new passive grab-what-you-can-get mentality supported by social help. The motivation for achieving this difficult balancing act can only be developed when the diacons are not left without guidance but receive a Christian course of studies connecting them with the biblical-theological foundations of diaconia. The Christian foundation can only be secured by concentrating on justice, love and reconciliation as taught by Jesus Christ. Therefore a beneficial diaconical work of the churches must be "altar-centered" which means the diaconical work must be carried out together with worship and sacramental liturgy. It must be made clear that diaconical work is not a subordinate, second-class office in the church, that it is a silent creed for the Gospel through love, that it is faith put to work. This is the contrary to helping people in order to convert them to Christianity. This difficult task can only be achieved by training the professional diaconical worker to be able to meet the demands of the world and to come up to the demands of Jesus Christ, the redeemer of the world.