[앵커]
The Christian Council of Korea held an ecumenical policy council to explore the meaning of ‘becoming a church’ in the era of climate crisis and practical tasks for ecological transformation.
This is reporter Oh Joseph.
[기자]
Participants in the policy council pledged that the church will stand as an alternative community by establishing an integrated stance and policy centered on life in the face of complex crises such as climate, peace, and labor.
General Secretary Park Seung-ryeol emphasized, “War and violence are increasing on the planet suffering from the climate crisis,” and added, “Furthermore, the church must actively respond to various crises that arise in the growth of the semiconductor industry, the spread of AI, and the energy transition process.”
[박승렬 총무 / 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)]
“The attitude that it is okay to use nuclear power plants (for energy procurement) and to install transmission lines as long as you make money from semiconductors is being created. The reality of artificial intelligence enslaving people and becoming an accessory to it is predicted before our eyes. In the face of this historic transition in our civilization, what policies (should we make) today, what should the Korean church say, what should we pray for together with our fellow believers…”
The 2026 NCCK Ecumenical Policy Council was held in Jijihyang, Paju from the 16th to the 17th. Provided by NCCK
Professor Emeritus Park Kyeong-mi of Ewha Womans University, who gave the keynote speech, pointed out that “the climate crisis is not simply a natural phenomenon, but a crisis against the entire way of life created by industrial civilization,” and that “the growth economy is the idol of our time.”
[박경미 명예교수 / 이화여자대학교]
“At the root of Jesus’ Kingdom movement is the justice of life that encourages saving life and is angry at the destruction of life. Whether to save life or kill it is the most fundamental standard of justice, peace, and goodness…”
Pastor Baek Young-ki of Ssangseam Natural Church warned, “Korean churches must open their eyes to green churches and ecological ministries,” and added, “In an era of climate crisis and anxiety, if churches fail to abandon secular power and competition for growth, they will have no influence.”
He said that the church should not seek to own more like a ‘corporation’ or ‘kingdom’, but should present a path to a more solid and simple life through sharing, moderation, and ecological spirituality so that everyone can live sufficiently.
[백영기 목사 / 쌍쌤자연교회]
“Life is not just about the soul that we commonly talk about, it is our existence. When God created us, He also gave us a physical body. If you look at the Bible, this created world, the created world, and all of creation are God’s will and His. All kinds of life in nature, those countless beings, ultimately support me and allow us to survive.”
In particular, Activist Yoo suggested, “The church should become a companion of ‘just transition’ by seeking employment guarantees, reeducation, transition funds, and regional transition plans based on the memories of the labor, human rights, and democratization movements that it has historically accumulated.” Photo by Reporter Joseph Oh.
Esther, an activist at the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements, said, “Our government’s energy and climate policies talk about ‘transition’ but are actually expanding nuclear power generation,” and criticized the policy as ultimately increasing inequality and sacrifice.
He then emphasized that the church’s climate discourse should not be limited to good words that everyone agrees on, but should lead to clearer messages and actions.
[유에스더 활동가 / 환경운동연합]
“If the church stays in the position of just commenting on the scene of social controversy from afar, I think climate justice can become a topic of worship, but it cannot become a historical event. I ask the church to stand as a party to the conflict, not as a mediator or supporter.”
The Church Council discussed specific practical tasks that the church can take in each department, including church unity, diakonia, social justice, and peaceful unification, and adopted the ‘Declaration of the Korean Church for the Restoration and Just Transition of Creation’.
The declaration contained a pledge that the Korean church would repent of growthism and consumerism in an era of war and climate crisis and stand as an agent of structural change to preserve the created world.
The Church Council plans to materialize the church’s ecological conversion into the areas of spirituality, worship, education, and ministry, and take concrete action for carbon neutrality and energy conversion through various follow-up activities.
This is Joseph Oh from CBS News.
[영상기자 최내호] [영상편집 서원익]