There are biblical texts that support the idea of oppression and restriction of women. For example, “Paul supported the subordination of women to men (1Cor. 11:2-16)” (p. 54). On the other hand, there are biblical texts that emphasize liberation and leadership of women in the church. Jesus Christ is described as a liberator breaking Jewish Tradition (p. 57) and “attacking not only patriarchy alone, but also imperialism, colonialism, and militarism” (p. 58).

Today many people are concerned about the environment and global warming caused by destructive exploitation of colonialist. Western economic forces “promote a rapid ecological transformation in many parts of the world” (p. 500). I think that as a Christian, we should seek God’s wisdom and knowledge embedded in His creation to be a steward to take care of God’s creation.

There are divisions and conflicts caused by not only color and race, but also religion in the world (p. 517). The Christian church had an important role to spread, develop and justify the colonialism of colonizers (p. 528). For example, “the missionaries functioned and continue to function as Christ-bearing colonizers” (p. 529) to Native Americans.   

Jesus Christ tried to create a Christian community where a leader who has a position of authority does not dominate or coerce others even in a hierarchal structure of the church. The leaders should create an environment and context of free and liberating activities in Korean churches. The church community should get things done together in cooperation with various gifts and abilities of people of God for God’s Kingdom.

It was interesting to see the story of Exodus towards Egypt related to Filipino Americans in American culture. For them, America is a nation that can give them endless opportunities to achieve their American dreams (p. 294). They try to be an American. For example, they eat, wear, and live like a white American. But, in reality, they are strangers in America (p. 297). I think that Korean Americans have the same problem that they are pursuing their American dreams by achieving their dreams and living like a white American. They, however, realize that they cannot be an American because of different race, language, and culture. I agree with the idea that people should find their identity in God’s action in creation. God created the world in the beauty of variety (p. 300). I think that Korean Americans should not pretend to be an American, rather they should enjoy being a Korean American seeking for not American dream but God’s kingdom dream.

I think that many churches are driven by an idea of relevancy to draw secular things from the world and use them inside the church. It seems that the church goes to a wrong direction and danger of consumerism. I was really impressed by God’s incarnation theory that God incarnated Himself into Jesus Christ to come to the world not only to build relationship with people, but also to show the values of God’s Kingdom in the world. I think that God’s mission should be both centrifugal (going out) and centripetal (coming in). at the same time, the church should use a way of God’s incarnation rather than trying to find a relevant way to approach to the world. The church should focus on helping people to live in the world with the values and teachings of God’s Kingdom.   

God created cultures and put them in an ordered structure based on the intention of God’s design. God continues to be with us not standing outside of the cultures. . Jesus Christ is not counter culture. In fact, Jesus Christ comes to us to transform our cultures according to the values of God’s Kingdom. The church should be a contrast society to break secular rules and make a paradigm shift towards Jesus’ teachings such as, love over enemies, serve others, and have table fellowship with the outcast. Regarding generational and cultural barriers, Korean American churches should break a cycle of unhealthy relations. Korean American churches should have a dialogue with different generations and build a space to learn from each generation.

I think that as God incarnated Himself in Jesus Christ to participate in the world mission, the church which does not participate in God’s missional activity to the world should be reshaped and reconstructed by Jesus Christ to engage in the world in relevancy for God’s mission. Jesus Christ used relevant language and culture to communicate with people. The church which consists of disciples of Jesus Christ called out to follow Him in the world.

The church tends to make its structure and tradition that are permanent and absolute churched culture. The church should be refreshed and reshaped to engage and serve the world better. Yoder gives five practices for the church. “1) Binding and losing – forgiveness and reconciliation, love of enemies, make moral decisions, and church and world translation. 2) Eucharist – Eucharist as economy, role of eating together, and openness to outsiders. 3) Baptism (practice remembering) – baptism as new humanity, interethnic reconciliation and the cross, and often requires suffering. 4) Multiplicity of gifts – social pattern for common life (how we treat one another), Gospel order (reorder structure of the church), and gift of Spirit for the community, and share the roles of community (servant to serve). 5) Open meeting – all present are free to have the floor because of the Spirit, the role of moderator, silent worship, rooted in redemption, and role of servanthood” (Class note 11/26/2007)

I think that we have a strong reason to study church in mission because we should find a way to help the church and people to have genuine discipleship in life. I believe that Jesus Christ started building a church for God’s kingdom to show God’s love and transform the world. I think that we should recognize that we are sent to do so.

It points out that the significant role and influence of Mary of Magdala was intentionally omitted in the process of canonization in patriarchal environment. Some people still claim that women’s leadership should be practiced in a strict limitation. However, Jesus Christ commanded that women as well as men should go out to preach the Gospel and witness about God’s Kingdom. The Gospel of Mary describes the role of Mary “as a model for Christian leadership based on spiritual maturity and prophetic insight” (p. 287). The Gospel of Mary explains that “both women and men could exercise legitimate leadership aimed at teaching, preaching, and exercising care for others” (p. 287). Many Korean American churches tend to undermine women’s leadership and spiritual practice in patriarchal Korean communities and churches regarding a role and income of women. In fact, the majority of church members are women who have various gifts and skills to strengthen the dynamic of church ministry and mission. I think that Korean American churches should find a way to help empower women to participate in developing God’s kingdom in the world.