Summary

The tapestry of Korean worship practices emerged in the context of other religious traditions, war and post-war growth, and a Korean consciousness of struggle and suffering.

Listen Online

Details

The spread of Christianity in Korea is proverbial since the arrival of Jesuits in 1789 and Protestant missions in 1884. Today, thirty per cent of the nation’s population adheres to Christianity. The Protestant share (19%) is the largest among Asia states, while the Catholic share (11%) is the third largest. Less noted and understood, though, is the tapestry of Korean worship practices that emerged in the context of other religious traditions, war and post-war growth, and a Korean consciousness of struggle and suffering. These influences proffer a distinctive Korean-ness of Christian worship that relates closely to God’s liberating intervention for a people who perceive their need to move beyond oppression.

Presented at the 2014 Calvin Symposium on Worship

Recent Media Resources

Culturally Responsive, Trauma-Informed Worship

In today’s diverse and interconnected world, understanding and addressing trauma through a culturally responsive lens is essential for creating inclusive and healing worship experiences. 

August 11, 2025 | 1 min video
Cultivating the Creative Life

What is creativity, and why do we still need to talk about it? Join Sandra McCracken in a conversation on faith, imagination, and creativity. 

August 5, 2025 | 1 min video