| abstract |
Korean churches are in crisis. The growth rate of the churches has been stagnated and their membership is declining. In addition, church members are moving
one church to another without showing a loyalty to their mother churches. Some move to mega churches, and others to small churches. People move to mega
churches because they are equipped with a large parking lot, all kinds of convenient facilities, and also specialized church schools for their children,
but why would others move to small ones? Perhaps, it is because they are not content with mega churches. The purpose of this study is to introduce family
churches as a type of small churches that are growing fastest these days. This author will here define what family churches are and present historical as
well as biblical grounds for them. In fact, family churches are not a new type of churches appearing to get over the limitations of existing ones. Family
churches are one of the primitive forms of churches that the Bible is talking about. As a matter of fact, they have appeared in a variety of forms in the
long history of churches. This researcher here suggests family churches as a way of returning to the essence of churches that the Bible is talking about.
This thesis is intended to help you to understand family churches and also examine how 'Tong Bible' learning influences family churches. Namil Church
actually came to a better understanding of the Bible through the process of 'Tong Bible' learning. It, in fact, allowed the members of the family church
to form fellowship and have identity as a covenant community. In conclusion, to share the covenants with family as a covenant community, 'Tong Bible'
learning can be a good alternative for churches attempting to return to the essence of the Bible.
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