| abstract |
This study examines the structural changes and communal challenges faced by Korean churches in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and proposes a practical strategy for ecclesial renewal in the endemic era. The pandemic accelerated the shift from in-person worship to digital formats, weakening communal bonds, reducing participation, and exposing the limitations of gathering-centered church models. These developments call for a renewed missional and community-based framework.
This research employs the EPIC (Experiential, Participatory, Image-driven, Connected) paradigm proposed by Leonard Sweet as a theoretical lens and explores the TEE (Theological Education by Extension) small group community learning model as a practical approach. A qualitative case study is conducted on YOUSUNG CHURCH, which has consistently implemented the TEE small group system since 2006.
The findings reveal that a long-term small group-based discipleship structure significantly contributed to sustaining members' sense of belonging and engagement during the pandemic. When integrated with the EPIC framework, the TEE model strengthened experiential faith formation, participatory involvement, narrative-centered communication, and relational connectivity.
This study suggests that in the endemic era, Korean churches must transition from event-centered structures to small group-based missional communities. The EPIC-TEE integrated strategy offers a sustainable and contextually relevant model for post-pandemic church renewal.
|
