Revision #15313
Evangelist (Jeondosa)
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
=
- *Jeondosa* means "one who proclaims the Way (道), that is, the gospel." In Korean churches the term serves as the title of an office for ministers who have not been ordained as pastors. The position is usually held by someone enrolled in a graduate school of theology or by someone who has completed theological training and is preparing for ordination. Within the church a jeondosa is customarily addressed as *jeondosa-nim*. Unlike a pastor, a jeondosa generally does not administer the sacraments or pronounce the benediction.
+ An evangelist (*jeondosa*), literally "one who proclaims the Way, that is, the gospel," is the title of an office in Korean Protestant churches for ministers who have not been ordained as pastors. The position is usually held by someone enrolled in a graduate school of theology or by someone who has completed theological training and is preparing for ordination. Unlike a pastor, an evangelist generally does not administer the sacraments or pronounce the benediction.
=
= ## Biblical and Historical Background
=
- The word "evangelist" appears in the New Testament. Acts 21:8 mentions "Philip the evangelist," and 2 Timothy 4:5 exhorts, "do the work of an evangelist." Ephesians 4:11 lists "evangelists" among the ministries given to the church. However, the jeondosa office in present-day Korean churches is not regarded as identical to the ministry described in these passages. The office of jeondosa is defined by each denomination's church constitution.
+ The word "evangelist" appears in the New Testament. Acts 21:8 mentions "Philip the evangelist," and 2 Timothy 4:5 exhorts, "do the work of an evangelist." Ephesians 4:11 lists "evangelists" among the ministries given to the church. However, the evangelist office in present-day Korean churches is not regarded as identical to the ministry described in these passages. The office is defined by each denomination's church constitution.
=
- During the early period of missions in Korea, Korean assistants called *josa* (助事, "helpers") and female evangelists called *jeondo buin* ("Bible women") reportedly assisted missionaries in evangelism and education. The present-day jeondosa office took shape within this tradition.
+ During the early period of missions in Korea, Korean assistants called helpers (*josa*) and female evangelists known as Bible women (*jeondo buin*) reportedly assisted missionaries in evangelism and education. The present-day evangelist office took shape within this tradition.
=
= ## Practice in Korean Churches
=
- Jeondosa are commonly divided into two categories according to their duties and terms of service.
+ Evangelists in Korean churches are commonly divided into two categories according to their duties and terms of service.
=
- - **Education jeondosa** (*gyoyuk jeondosa*): Part-time ministers who serve mainly on weekends. They oversee educational departments such as the Sunday school, the middle and high school youth department, and the young adult ministry. Many are graduate theological students.
- - **Full-time jeondosa** (*jeonim jeondosa*): Ministers who work for the church full-time. In addition to educational departments, they handle pastoral visitation, administration, and parish district ministry.
+ - **Education evangelists**: Part-time ministers who serve mainly on weekends. They oversee educational departments such as the Sunday school, the middle and high school youth department, and the young adult ministry. Many are graduate theological students.
+ - **Full-time evangelists**: Ministers employed by the church on a full-time basis. In addition to educational departments, they handle pastoral visitation, administration, and parish district ministry.
=
= The path to becoming a pastor varies by denomination.
=
- - **Presbyterian**: In some denominations, such as the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin), candidates complete graduate theological school and then pass through a licentiate (gangdosa) stage before ordination as pastors.
+ - **Presbyterian**: In some denominations, such as the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin), candidates complete graduate theological school and then pass through a licentiate stage before ordination as pastors.
= - **Methodist**: Candidates complete the membership process set by the annual conference and are then ordained.
- - **Other denominations**: Most require denominational examinations and a period of supervised training.
+ - **Other denominations**: Most require denominational examinations and a period of training.
=
- The jeondosa office is also closely connected with the issue of the ordination of women. In denominations that do not permit the ordination of women as pastors, female ministers often serve as jeondosa for many years. Even in denominations that now permit women's ordination, most female ministers served only as jeondosa before the practice was introduced.
+ The evangelist office is also closely connected with the question of the ordination of women. In denominations that do not permit women to be ordained as pastors, female ministers often serve as evangelists for many years. Even in denominations that permit the ordination of women, most female ministers remained in the office of evangelist before the practice was introduced.
=
- In recent years, the low pay and poor treatment of education jeondosa have frequently been raised as a concern both within and outside the church.
+ In recent years, the low pay and poor working conditions of education evangelists have frequently been raised as a concern both within and outside the church.
A jeondosa (傳道師, often rendered "evangelist") is a minister in Korean Protestant churches who serves in a congregation before ordination as a pastor and is responsible for duties such as education, pastoral visitation, and preaching. The position is usually held by theological students or seminary graduates.
In Korean Protestant churches, an evangelist (jeondosa) is a minister who serves in a congregation before ordination as a pastor and is responsible for duties such as education, pastoral visitation, and preaching. The position is usually held by theological students or seminary graduates.
Full revision
In Korean Protestant churches, an evangelist (jeondosa) is a minister who serves in a congregation before ordination as a pastor and is responsible for duties such as education, pastoral visitation, and preaching. The position is usually held by theological students or seminary graduates.
Definition and Meaning
An evangelist (jeondosa), literally "one who proclaims the Way, that is, the gospel," is the title of an office in Korean Protestant churches for ministers who have not been ordained as pastors. The position is usually held by someone enrolled in a graduate school of theology or by someone who has completed theological training and is preparing for ordination. Unlike a pastor, an evangelist generally does not administer the sacraments or pronounce the benediction.
Biblical and Historical Background
The word "evangelist" appears in the New Testament. Acts 21:8 mentions "Philip the evangelist," and 2 Timothy 4:5 exhorts, "do the work of an evangelist." Ephesians 4:11 lists "evangelists" among the ministries given to the church. However, the evangelist office in present-day Korean churches is not regarded as identical to the ministry described in these passages. The office is defined by each denomination's church constitution.
During the early period of missions in Korea, Korean assistants called helpers (josa) and female evangelists known as Bible women (jeondo buin) reportedly assisted missionaries in evangelism and education. The present-day evangelist office took shape within this tradition.
Practice in Korean Churches
Evangelists in Korean churches are commonly divided into two categories according to their duties and terms of service.
- Education evangelists: Part-time ministers who serve mainly on weekends. They oversee educational departments such as the Sunday school, the middle and high school youth department, and the young adult ministry. Many are graduate theological students.
- Full-time evangelists: Ministers employed by the church on a full-time basis. In addition to educational departments, they handle pastoral visitation, administration, and parish district ministry.
The path to becoming a pastor varies by denomination.
- Presbyterian: In some denominations, such as the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin), candidates complete graduate theological school and then pass through a licentiate stage before ordination as pastors.
- Methodist: Candidates complete the membership process set by the annual conference and are then ordained.
- Other denominations: Most require denominational examinations and a period of training.
The evangelist office is also closely connected with the question of the ordination of women. In denominations that do not permit women to be ordained as pastors, female ministers often serve as evangelists for many years. Even in denominations that permit the ordination of women, most female ministers remained in the office of evangelist before the practice was introduced.
In recent years, the low pay and poor working conditions of education evangelists have frequently been raised as a concern both within and outside the church.