“한국교회 다음세대, 어디로 가나”…실태조사 결과로 본 위기와 과제(이현지)ㅣCTS뉴스

[Anchor] Amidst a crisis facing next-generation ministry due to low birth rates and secularization, 800 prospective ministers who will lead future ministry have provided a meaningful diagnosis. Voices are calling for the urgent need to "restore the essence of the Gospel" and "platform ministry" before the introduction of flashy media technology. Reporter Lee Hyun-ji has summarized the survey results. [Reporter] This is the scene of the Presbyterian Theological University's founding anniversary festival last May. A festival booth set up by the CTS Next Generation Support Center and others. Students are gathered in small groups, participating with serious expressions in a survey commissioned by the center titled "The Future of Next-Generation Ministry in the Korean Church." Including this location, 784 theology students nationwide responded to a survey asking about the problems and alternatives for next-generation ministry last May and June. The survey results showed that respondents identified "spiritual indifference and secularism (51.8%)" as the biggest crisis factors facing the next generation. "Lack of connection between school and home" ranked second at 25.1%, while "lack of ministry infrastructure" and "declining appeal of educational content" each accounted for only 7%. [Pastor Ahn Hae-yong / Director of CTS Next Generation Support Center] I assumed they would have paid more attention to social and environmental factors, but the ministers' assessment that the reason the next generation is facing such difficulties is because they have lost the essence of the Gospel is very cool-headed... [Reporter] What did they cite as an alternative to overcome this crisis? The self-reflection of seminary students differed from the role they expected of Christian media outlets like CTS. As the most urgent competency a minister must possess, 40.8% cited "preaching and teaching skills that convey the essence of the Gospel." The percentage of those who selected the use of digital media or AI tools was only 6.8%. They viewed the method of delivering the essential Gospel as far more important than flashy technology. On the other hand, when asked about the role of CTS, the demand for "innovation in Sunday school content" was the highest at 33.9%. This can be interpreted as a "division of roles," where ministers themselves are asked to be firmly armed with the "essence of the Gospel," while CTS is asked to actively develop "innovative media tools" to approach the next generation in a friendly manner. As an alternative to overcome the limitations of Sunday school, a majority selected "platform ministry connecting the church, home, and school." This aligns with the fact that "lack of connectivity between school and home" was previously identified as the second-highest crisis factor for the next generation. It reveals an urgent demand for a structural breakthrough that links ministry with daily life. Education experts propose a "mutually complementary role" between media and offline platforms. The interpretation is that if the latest media serves as the "first point of contact" for meeting the next generation, then the essence of faith must be transmitted within offline platforms that connect the church, home, and school, building upon this foundation. [Professor Ahn Jeong-do / Presbyterian Theological Seminary] Even as the world changes, the individual competence of seminary students lies in the ability to meet people directly, interact with believers within the community, and ultimately connect with others. [Reporter] As the awareness grows that offline communities must take root in the media age, CTS is presenting the 'Village Baby School' as a realistic alternative. The Village Baby School goes beyond simple childcare; it is a concept that cares for local children by providing both education and faith within a church space. In particular, the amendment to the Building Act in January 2025 has laid the institutional groundwork for carrying out care ministries in church spaces. However, it appears that practical information provided to the ministry sites is woefully inadequate. According to the survey results, 87.6% of respondents answered that they were unaware of the 'Building Act amendment.' Nevertheless, more than half (58.9%) showed high interest in the 'Village Baby School' ministry itself, which combines care and evangelism, indicating an urgent need for practical guidance on the law and hands-on training. *Professor Ahn Jeong-do / Presbyterian Theological Seminary* The CTS Next Generation Support Center announced that it will gather the survey results and explore its role as a hub for the next generation of the Korean church by utilizing CTS’s media capabilities and the Village Baby School. This is Lee Hyun-ji from CTS News. #CTSNews #NextGeneration #SeminaryStudentSurvey #VillageBabySchool #BuildingActAmendment #CTSNextGenerationSupportCenter _________________________________ ⓒ 2026 ...