1.5 Generation Set Upon the Sacrifice of First Generation Function as Stepping Stones

By   Hannah Park
ChristianityDaily Reporter

▲Pastor Bill Sim of New Church of Atlanta

According to statistics in 1997 70% of Korean American second generations will leave church after high school graduation and about 90% will have left Korean church by college graduation. Also half among the second generations that leaves Korean church will completely stop attending church. This is what is called ‘silent exodus.’ Even in the Korean church community of Atlanta there are many concerns regarding the next generation however it is difficult to find a church which has been successful in settling the second generations passed 30 years since the immigrant church has settled down. The immigrant church centering on first generation easily becomes church ‘only for them’ towards second generations.

Church that began regarding the concern of silent exodus

Senior Pastor Bill Sim of New Church of Atlanta is a typical 1.5 minister who immigrated to America after middle school and received the calling. New Church of Atlanta began from the concern regarding the silent exodus of second generations.

“The conclusion I have reached after ministering in the English ministry as an educational pastor at Houston was to pioneer a church where first and second generation are one. 1.5 generation like me is people of special category. Able to fill up the gap of first and second generation and can function as a bridge connecting the leadership of immigrant church to second generation.”

New Church of Atlanta slogan is ‘church connecting the generations’, goal as ‘stepping stone ministry.’ This is the will and dream of Pastor Sim to set up a church that builds the Kingdom of God on this earth through devotion and holy relationship connecting between generation and generation, church to church, church and world.

“If there is a church that has set up a EM independently from the support of a first generation church or in one church the KM and EM church officials are all separate then I believe that is a successful second generation pastorship. EM even at age 40 or even 50 is considered as young in their faith and to be taken care of. These false notions become a reason inciting the second generations to quietly disappear from church.”

The second generation pastorship pursued by New Church f Atlanta is one church that uses the same word as one vision. Embracing the EM the 10 a.m. service slot is given to the EM. The EM were given the first choice of selecting the service time from 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. This was done after thoughtful consideration towards the EM to provide them with the best time which in regular church they have service time allocated in early morning or afternoon. Also the EM attends in joint prayer meeting, picnic, and minister meeting to carry the church ministry together.

“Even though we say the difficulty for 1.5 and second generation is due to language, culture, and education difference however I believe the real problem is the lack of personal relationship. Church staffs are not just a tool to accomplish the vision of senior pastor but must form a personal relationship and become a coworker in establishing a church of one body.”

Calling towards nation in the midst of trials

New Church of Atlanta located in Doraville which is transforming to international village in the past moved to nearby Korea Town after short time since pioneering. However the church that was consistently growing due to unexpected fire it was completely destroyed and moved back to Doraville.

“There was nothing left everything was burnt. It was a big trial however everyone believed that there must be a reason and with one heart once again moved down to the place where the church was first planted. Within 15 minutes of our church there are Hispanic, Myanmar Karen people, Indian who are waiting for a helping hand. We realized that even though we were going out towards the world the world has already come inside of us.”

At New Church of Atlanta is eager to help other ethnic church. For those who are in difficulty gather food and household needs and also personally visit the church and give service together. Also is planning to begin a ministry to help apartment and elementary school with local community church.

Church that is a blessing to people
Pastor Sim revealed his direction that minister philosophy is ‘Renewing myself’ and ‘As the Kingdom of God is shown show its influence and become a blessing in society.’

“I believe that the Korean American church has the same calling as Abraham who became a blessing to all people by leaving his country, people, and father’s household. I am a 1.5 generation that grew up in immigrant church which was set up by the sacrifice and devotion of first generations. We will become the New Church of Atlanta which always first changes ourselves to raise people that are needed in this society as stepping stones connecting their tears and labor to the next generation and second generation Christian leaders who can embrace the world.”