Revision #9147
Denomination
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
- A denomination (Korean *gyodan*, 敎團) is an organized body formed by churches that share a common confession of faith and system of church government. Together, its churches carry out such tasks as examining candidates for the ministry and administering ordination, operating theological seminaries, adopting a church constitution, and ruling on matters of doctrine.
+ A denomination is an organized body formed by churches that share a common confession of faith and system of church government. Together, a denomination's churches carry out such tasks as examining candidates for the ministry and administering ordination, operating theological seminaries, adopting a church constitution, and ruling on matters of doctrine.
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- The term *gyodan* is often used interchangeably with *gyopa* (denominational tradition), but the two refer to different things. A *gyopa* is a classification based on theological tradition and lineage, such as Presbyterian, Methodist, or Baptist. A *gyodan* is an actual organized body within such a tradition. For example, the single tradition of Presbyterianism includes multiple denominations, among them the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap), the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea.
+ The term denomination is often used interchangeably with denominational tradition, but the two refer to different things. A denominational tradition is a classification based on theological heritage and lineage, such as Presbyterian, Methodist, or Baptist. A denomination is an actual organized body within such a tradition. For example, the single tradition of Presbyterianism in Korea includes multiple denominations, among them the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap), the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea.
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= ## Biblical and Historical Background
= The New Testament contains no concept of the denomination as it exists today. However, the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 is often cited as an example of several local churches discussing and deciding a matter together.
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- The division of Protestant churches into multiple denominations began after the sixteenth-century Reformation. From that time on, churches separated according to differences in theology and church polity. In Korea, the framework of denominations emerged in the late nineteenth century as mission boards from various traditions entered the country. Korean Presbyterians organized an independent presbytery in 1907 and a General Assembly in 1912. From the 1950s onward, a series of Presbyterian schisms greatly increased the number of denominations.
+ The division of Protestant churches into multiple denominations began after the sixteenth-century Reformation. From that time on, churches separated according to differences in theology and church polity.
=
- ## Practice in the Korean Church
+ In Korea, a denominational framework emerged in the late nineteenth century as mission boards from various traditions entered the country. Korean Presbyterians organized an independent presbytery in 1907 and a General Assembly in 1912. From the 1950s onward, a series of Presbyterian schisms greatly increased the number of Korean denominations.
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+ ## Denominations in Korean Protestantism
= Korean Protestant denominations are reported to number in the hundreds, with Presbyterian bodies the most numerous. However, figures vary depending on the compiling organization and its criteria (such as government registration or the number of member churches), so the exact number is difficult to determine.
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- Denominational governance differs from one tradition to another.
+ Among Korean Protestant churches, denominational governance differs from one tradition to another.
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= - **Presbyterian** churches follow a representative polity that extends from the session to the presbytery and the General Assembly. Under representative polity, representatives elected by church members make decisions in council.
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Full revision
A denomination is an organized body formed by churches that share a common confession of faith and system of church government. Several denominations may exist within a single denominational tradition.
Definition and Meaning
A denomination is an organized body formed by churches that share a common confession of faith and system of church government. Together, a denomination's churches carry out such tasks as examining candidates for the ministry and administering ordination, operating theological seminaries, adopting a church constitution, and ruling on matters of doctrine.
The term denomination is often used interchangeably with denominational tradition, but the two refer to different things. A denominational tradition is a classification based on theological heritage and lineage, such as Presbyterian, Methodist, or Baptist. A denomination is an actual organized body within such a tradition. For example, the single tradition of Presbyterianism in Korea includes multiple denominations, among them the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap), the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea.
Biblical and Historical Background
The New Testament contains no concept of the denomination as it exists today. However, the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 is often cited as an example of several local churches discussing and deciding a matter together.
The division of Protestant churches into multiple denominations began after the sixteenth-century Reformation. From that time on, churches separated according to differences in theology and church polity.
In Korea, a denominational framework emerged in the late nineteenth century as mission boards from various traditions entered the country. Korean Presbyterians organized an independent presbytery in 1907 and a General Assembly in 1912. From the 1950s onward, a series of Presbyterian schisms greatly increased the number of Korean denominations.
Denominations in Korean Protestantism
Korean Protestant denominations are reported to number in the hundreds, with Presbyterian bodies the most numerous. However, figures vary depending on the compiling organization and its criteria (such as government registration or the number of member churches), so the exact number is difficult to determine.
Among Korean Protestant churches, denominational governance differs from one tradition to another.
- Presbyterian churches follow a representative polity that extends from the session to the presbytery and the General Assembly. Under representative polity, representatives elected by church members make decisions in council.
- The Korean Methodist Church has annual conferences and an episcopal system, with a presiding bishop representing the denomination.
- The Holiness churches are governed chiefly through district conferences and a General Assembly.
- Baptist churches emphasize the autonomy of the local congregation. Their conventions function largely as bodies for cooperation among churches.
Denominations oversee the credentials of their ministers and may also adopt resolutions designating particular groups or teachings as heretical. There are also independent churches that belong to no denomination.