Submitted to the Board of Ordained Ministry of the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, January 1984, as part of the requirements for Deacon/Probationary status.

B. The Practice of Ministry

1. Personal Gifts for Ministry:

Strengths and Areas for Growth

The pastoral calling, as modeled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, involves an integration of being, knowing, and doing. These dimensions reflect not only the core responsibilities of a United Methodist pastor, but also the holistic nature of Christian discipleship. I have come to understand and embody these three aspects through my personal journey of faith and ministry.

Being: The Inner Life of the Spirit

The “being” dimension refers to the inner spiritual life: prayer, contemplation, identity, spiritual discipline, imagination, faith, and worship. These are rooted in the Wesleyan tradition and aligned with The Book of Discipline (1980, §431.1,3,6,7). My spiritual formation has followed three core movements:

1. Reaching inward: from loneliness to solitude. As a youth navigating family challenges, I learned to encounter God in solitude, discovering my identity as God’s beloved.
2. Reaching outward: from hostility to hospitality. My awakening to issues of social injustice in Korea transformed my anger into compassionate action, as I began to love my neighbor as myself.
3. Reaching upward: from illusion to prayer. At Drew Theological School, I encountered the living Word through mystical contemplation, grounding my ministry in communion with God.

Knowing: Theological and Intellectual Development

The “knowing” aspect includes theological inquiry, academic study, reflection, and intellectual growth (§431.8,9). This foundation was laid early in my life through poetry and the arts. In 1970, I held a private exhibition of my poems and paintings at the Methodist Theological Seminary in Seoul. From 1977 to 1980, I taught philosophy at Pusan Union Theological Seminary, where I was deeply engaged in process thought and Eastern-Western philosophical comparisons.

Alongside this academic journey, I continued to write poetry (publishing three anthologies with fellow poets), conducted choirs for worship services, and wrote art criticism. These interdisciplinary pursuits have helped shape my theological imagination. In the future, I hope to deepen my study in two areas: (1) comparative theology between East and West, and (2) a phenomenological interpretation of divine movement and the mystery of the Trinity, particularly in the theology of John Wesley.

Doing: The Practice of Ministry

The “doing” dimension encompasses the practical outworking of ministry: leadership, service, mission, preaching, and administration (§431.2-7). I began my pastoral ministry while serving in the Korean army (1970-1973), where I organized and built a worshipping community. After moving to the United States, I continued to serve faithfully and received my license as a local pastor in July 1982 within the United Methodist Church.

My experience in community organizing in Korea, especially in times of civil unrest, strengthened my commitment to justice and compassion in ministry. These skills have translated into pastoral leadership marked by empathy, resilience, and adaptability.

Area for Growth: Church Administration

While I feel called and equipped in many areas of ministry, I recognize that church administration is a key area in which I seek further development. Effective church leadership requires not only spiritual vision, but also practical management skills—strategic planning, budgeting, team building, and organizational oversight. I am committed to growing in this area through continued learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience, so that I may serve the Church with both wisdom and effectiveness.

In summary, I bring to ministry a deep spiritual grounding, a strong theological foundation, and practical experience in mission and pastoral care. I remain a lifelong learner, open to God’s ongoing shaping, and eager to grow in those areas that will strengthen my service to the Body of Christ.