Drew University Library : University Archives : Theses and Dissertations
    
author Seongsoo Sim
title EPIC Ministry for Young Adults: A Case Study of Yeneung Young Adult Church
abstract This study examines a few major phenomenons including COVID-19 that caused significant social issues in Korea and evaluates the effects it has triggered in the Korean young adult ministry. After analyzing the issues this study will introduce Leonard Sweet's EPIC model. In addition, by reviewing a case study of Yeneung Young Adult Church in Jongro district of Seoul, this study will present the EPIC model as an alternative for the new normal young adult ministry.

The Korean society has seen the lowest birth rate ever in a rapidly aging society. As a result the Korean society is experincing a significant decline in population, and a rapid change of the population structure which is causing numerous social issues. Decline in population and change of the population structure directly leads to the decline of church population and sunday school crisis. The worldwide recession has deeply affected the Korean economy which is having a economic crisis of its own. The Korean church has seen the end of its wealthy glory days and has now entered the period of famine. Covid-19 has introduced a contact-free society, and individualism has undermined the value of community. As a result of these numerous scocial changes, the young generation is leaving the church community. Therefore, the young adult ministry has been expereincing drastic changes.

This study examines the Experiential, Participatory, Image-driven and Interactive, Connected community Church of the EPIC model applied in Yeneung Young Adult church's ministry and suggests it as an alternative for the new normal young adult ministry. This study suggests EPIC ministry as an altrenaative with the expectation that young adults will experience God, participate with a sense of ownership, embody the image of Jesus Christ in theirs lives, and restore spirit of church community

school The Theological School, Drew University
degree D.Min. (2024)
advisor Leonard Sweet
committee Byoungho Zoh
Younglae Kim
full textSSim.pdf