Independent Church

Definition and Meaning

An independent church is a church that does not belong to a denomination and in which each congregation governs itself. Independent churches are not subject to the direction of a higher judicatory, that is, a body such as a presbytery or a general assembly that exercises authority over individual congregations. Instead, each church determines for itself such matters as its confession of faith, its system of church offices, and the calling of pastors. Because such churches do not identify with any particular denominational tradition, they are also called "nondenominational churches." At the same time, because associations formed by independent churches for the sake of cooperation have come to function much like denominations, the term "independent denomination" is also used.

Biblical and Historical Background

Supporters of independent churches point out that churches in the New Testament era gathered separately in each locality. They also cite passages such as Acts 6:3-5, in which the congregation chose its own workers, as evidence that individual churches may make their own decisions. This understanding is linked to congregational polity, long emphasized by Congregationalists and Baptists, under which the assembly of church members holds final decision-making authority. By contrast, Presbyterians appeal to the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) to emphasize the authority of deliberative bodies that extend beyond the individual congregation. Biblical interpretation regarding church polity thus differs from one denomination to another. One figure associated with a Korean independent denomination has remarked that while the independent church movement became established as a theological movement in the United States, it failed to do so in Korea.

Practice in the Korean Church

In 1997, senior church leaders, including Pastors Park Jo-jun, Kim Sang-bok, and Kim Joon-gon, discussed forming an association of independent churches. As a result, the Korea Association of Independent Churches and Missions (KAICAM) was founded in 1998. Its purpose was to reject the high-handedness of overly politicized denominations and to guarantee the autonomy of individual churches. Hallelujah Church and Calvary Church led the movement. Some churches, such as the 100th Anniversary Memorial Church, left their original denominations and joined KAICAM. KAICAM accepts as members not only churches but also mission organizations such as Korea Campus Crusade for Christ. In an interview with the Kukmin Ilbo, KAICAM stated that it has some 3,000 member churches and some 400 member mission organizations. Like a denomination, it also confers pastoral ordination on those who have completed a prescribed course of theological study.

KAICAM's headquarters maintains that KAICAM is not a denomination and has no higher judicatory structure. The press, however, has reported on the failure to hold general assemblies properly, on financial transparency, and on the influence of a particular foundation. KAICAM has countered that it holds a general assembly every year and discloses its finances. Amid these conflicts, Pastor Park Jo-jun left KAICAM and founded the International Association of Independent Churches. In addition, some who left KAICAM formed the General Assembly of the Korean Protestant Future Alliance of the Korea Jesus Independent Denomination. As a result, independent church associations are currently divided into several bodies.