New Believer

Definition and Meaning

Saesinja (新信者) means "one who has newly come to believe." In Korean churches the term often covers both people who have come to faith for the first time and church members who have transferred from another church and newly registered. When the two groups are distinguished, only first-time believers are called saesinja, while the term saegajok ("new family member") is sometimes used to include transferring members as well. Recently, some churches have come to prefer saegajok or saegyou ("new fellow member") on the grounds that the word "believer" may feel burdensome to newcomers.

A new believer is not an office such as elder or deacon. Rather, the term is a designation used to classify church members by their stage of faith or time of registration.

Biblical and Historical Background

Scripture depicts the community teaching and caring for those who have newly believed. Acts 2:41–42 records that those who were baptized "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." In 1 Peter 2:2, the early stage of faith is likened to that of "newborn babes." In 1 Timothy 3:6, a bishop is to be "not a novice," and many churches cite this verse as grounds for not immediately entrusting new believers with church office.

The early church had a course of doctrinal instruction preceding baptism. Those enrolled in it were called catechumens, and the period of instruction reportedly lasted as long as several years. From the early missionary period, Korean Protestantism likewise treated the catechumenate and baptism as distinct stages, each requiring an examination (a procedure confirming one's faith through questions and answers).

Practice in Korean Churches

Many churches have a new family department or new family team and follow procedures such as the following:

• Registration: Once a newcomer fills out a new family card, the person is entered in the church membership register. The newcomer's name may also be printed in the church bulletin or announced during the worship service.
• Instruction: Over several weeks, newcomers learn the fundamentals of the faith and of church life in a new family class.
• Care: Ministers or designated members make pastoral visits, and newcomers are paired with existing members who help them settle in. After completing instruction, they are assigned to a district group or small group.
• Transfer of membership: Members coming from another church may go through a membership transfer procedure.

The process by which a new believer becomes a full member varies by denomination.

• Presbyterian: Generally, a person passes the catechumen examination and, after a set period, is baptized and becomes a baptized member. The specific period and requirements differ according to each denomination's constitution.
• Methodist: A person who has registered and begun attending is reportedly called a wonibin (an applicant for membership).
• Baptist: Infant baptism is not practiced. A person becomes a full member upon personally professing faith and receiving baptism by immersion.
• Anglican: A person becomes a member through confirmation (a rite in which one personally affirms and strengthens one's faith) following baptism.