Revision #14109
Kwonchal
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
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- The term *kwonchal* is written with the Chinese characters 勸 ("to exhort") and 察 ("to observe"). It denotes a person who **watches over and exhorts** church members. Churches divide their members into districts by neighborhood or area of residence, and the kwonchal cares for the households and members within a district. The position is held by a layperson and does not involve ordination. A kwonchal is usually appointed for a one-year term by the session or the senior pastor.
+ In Korean Protestant churches, a kwonchal is a lay member assigned to care for a group of fellow believers. The term combines elements meaning "to exhort" and "to observe," and it denotes a person who **watches over and exhorts** church members. Churches divide their members into districts by neighborhood or area of residence, and the kwonchal cares for the households and members within a district. The position is held by a layperson and does not involve ordination. A kwonchal is usually appointed for a one-year term by the session or the senior pastor.
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= ## Biblical and Historical Background
=
- No office called *kwonchal* appears in the Bible. When churches explain the purpose of the position, however, they often point to several passages. Examples include the account of Moses appointing rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens to care for the people (Exodus 18:21), the record of the early believers meeting and sharing fellowship in their homes (Acts 2:46), and the exhortation to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
+ No office called kwonchal appears in the Bible. When churches explain the purpose of the position, however, they often cite several passages: the account of Moses appointing rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens to care for the people (Exodus 18:21), the record of the early believers gathering for fellowship in their homes (Acts 2:46), and the exhortation to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
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- The kwonchal is generally understood to have arisen within the Korean church rather than to have been imported directly from Western church polity. Exactly when and where the title was first used is unclear. From early on, the Korean church placed great emphasis on district organization and pastoral visitation, and the position of kwonchal took shape within this tradition.
+ The position is generally understood to have arisen within the Korean church rather than to have been imported directly from Western church polity. Exactly when and where the title was first used is unclear. From an early period, Korean churches placed great emphasis on district organization and pastoral visitation, and the position of kwonchal took shape within this tradition.
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= ## Practice in Korean Churches
…
= - Preparing district worship services and relaying church announcements.
=
- The relationship between the kwonchal and the district leader also differs among churches. In some churches, the district leader leads the district while the kwonchal assists through communication and visitation. In others, the kwonchal leads the district directly under the title "district kwonchal." In practice, the position is reportedly often held by women.
+ The relationship between the kwonchal and the district leader also differs among churches. In some, the district leader leads the district while the kwonchal assists through communication and visitation. In others, the kwonchal leads the district directly under the title "district kwonchal." In practice, the position is reportedly often held by women.
=
- Among denominations, the title *kwonchal* is used mainly in Presbyterian churches. In Presbyterian churches, the kwonchal is generally treated not as a perpetual office (one held for life) defined by the church constitution but as a service position established by the local congregation. Methodist churches use a unit called the *sokhoe* (class meeting) in place of the district, with the class leader filling a similar role. Full Gospel churches typically use a structure of district leaders, area leaders, and parish leaders. In recent years, a growing number of churches have adopted small group, discipleship training, and house church models. In such churches, newer titles such as "shepherd," *sunjang* (cell leader), or "leader" have sometimes replaced the kwonchal.
+ Among Korean denominations, the title kwonchal is used mainly in Presbyterian churches. There it is generally treated not as a perpetual office (one held for life) defined by the church constitution but as a service position established by the local congregation. Korean Methodist churches use a unit called the *sokhoe* (class meeting) in place of the district, with the class leader filling a similar role. Full Gospel churches typically use a structure of district leaders, area leaders, and parish leaders. In recent years, a growing number of churches have adopted small group, discipleship training, and house church models, and in such churches newer titles such as "shepherd," *sunjang* (cell leader), or "leader" have sometimes replaced the kwonchal.
A kwonchal (勸察) is a lay ministry position in Korean churches, especially Presbyterian churches, whose holder is charged with looking after the circumstances of members in a district (small group) and encouraging them in the life of faith.
A kwonchal is a lay ministry position in Korean churches, especially Presbyterian churches, entrusted with looking after the circumstances of members in a district (small group) and encouraging them in the life of faith.
Full revision
A kwonchal is a lay ministry position in Korean churches, especially Presbyterian churches, entrusted with looking after the circumstances of members in a district (small group) and encouraging them in the life of faith.
Definition and Meaning
In Korean Protestant churches, a kwonchal is a lay member assigned to care for a group of fellow believers. The term combines elements meaning "to exhort" and "to observe," and it denotes a person who watches over and exhorts church members. Churches divide their members into districts by neighborhood or area of residence, and the kwonchal cares for the households and members within a district. The position is held by a layperson and does not involve ordination. A kwonchal is usually appointed for a one-year term by the session or the senior pastor.
Biblical and Historical Background
No office called kwonchal appears in the Bible. When churches explain the purpose of the position, however, they often cite several passages: the account of Moses appointing rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens to care for the people (Exodus 18:21), the record of the early believers gathering for fellowship in their homes (Acts 2:46), and the exhortation to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
The position is generally understood to have arisen within the Korean church rather than to have been imported directly from Western church polity. Exactly when and where the title was first used is unclear. From an early period, Korean churches placed great emphasis on district organization and pastoral visitation, and the position of kwonchal took shape within this tradition.
Practice in Korean Churches
The role of the kwonchal varies somewhat from church to church. Common responsibilities include the following:
- Keeping track of the attendance and circumstances of district members and reporting to the pastoral staff.
- Visiting the sick, newcomers, and families facing hardship, or accompanying the pastoral staff on visits.
- Preparing district worship services and relaying church announcements.
The relationship between the kwonchal and the district leader also differs among churches. In some, the district leader leads the district while the kwonchal assists through communication and visitation. In others, the kwonchal leads the district directly under the title "district kwonchal." In practice, the position is reportedly often held by women.
Among Korean denominations, the title kwonchal is used mainly in Presbyterian churches. There it is generally treated not as a perpetual office (one held for life) defined by the church constitution but as a service position established by the local congregation. Korean Methodist churches use a unit called the sokhoe (class meeting) in place of the district, with the class leader filling a similar role. Full Gospel churches typically use a structure of district leaders, area leaders, and parish leaders. In recent years, a growing number of churches have adopted small group, discipleship training, and house church models, and in such churches newer titles such as "shepherd," sunjang (cell leader), or "leader" have sometimes replaced the kwonchal.