It is simply because "eductional ministers are forgotten and lost tools of church growth...."
In order for a church to continue to grow in both quality and quantity, a consistant and systematic education is a must. It will be possible only when there is someone who can and will administrate the educational ministry of the church. And this important ministry cannot be effective unless the one who supports and leads it has not only a sound understanding of the concept of educational ministry but also a firm commitment to it with his or her entire life.
Many ministers as well as lay people, if not all, currently see the educational ministry as simply an auxiliary to the pastoral ministry. More often than not, even educational ministers themselves are in the educational ministry, thinking that they will stay in it temporarily until they are called to a church to pastor. Therefore, the role of an educational minister is considered by them as "seasonal" or "a steping stone" to get to the position of a pastor.
It is now time to redefine the concept of the educational ministry of the church and the role of the educational minister. It is now also time to encourage more people of God to commit their lives to the educational ministry and support those who are willing to devote their whole lives in this absolutely necessary and valuable ministry area.
Thus, it will be one of the most important tasks of the Association of Educational Ministers to cultivate educational ministers for the Korean Baptists as the churches embark on the new millenium.
Those who want to join AEM do not have to be ordained or licensed but must be called by God to serve as Educational Minister for their entire career. They must have genuine interest in the development of the educational ministry of the church. They must be committed to participate in shared ministry (also known as cooperative ministry or team ministry). And also they must be willing to contribute to research projects of AEM.
Q: ÇùÀÇȸ°¡ ÃßÁøÇϰíÀÚ ÇÏ´Â ÇÁ·ÎÁ§Æ®¿¡´Â ¾î¶² °ÍµéÀÌ Àִ°¡? What are some projects in which AEM will be involved?
AEM will be involved in a variety of projects that will assist the ministries of life-time Educational ministers and the churches that desire to implement the shared ministry concept.
Some examples include:
±³À°»ç¿ªÀÚ ±âµµ ¹× Ä£±³¸ðÀÓ AEM Prayer and Fellowship Meetings
¹ÌÁÖ ÇÑÀΠħ·Ê±³È¸ÀÇ ±³À°»ç¿ª ½ÇÅÂÆÄ¾Ç Survey of Today's Educational Ministry in Korean Baptist Churches in America
±³È¸ÀÇ ºÐ´ã»ç¿ª¿¡ °üÇÑ ¼¼¹Ì³ª Seminars on the Shared Ministry of the Church
±³À°»ç¿ªÀÚ ¿¬¼öȸ Educational Ministry Workshops
±³À°»ç¿ªÀÚ ÇùÀÇȸ ÇмúÁö ¹ß°£ Publication of the AEM Journal
If you would like to be a member of AEM, please submit the following documents to Jonathan Kim via e-mail at jjonathankim@juno.com or send them to 7025 Stetter Dr., Arlington, TX 76001.
À̷¼ A Vita to Introduce Yourself Academically, Professionally, and Personally
±³À°»ç¿ªÀÚ ÇùÀÇȸ¿¡ °¡ÀÔÀ» ¿øÇÏ´Â ÀÌÀ¯ An Short Essay (Approximately, a Page) Describing Why You Wish to Join AEM
Q: ÇùÀÇȸ ȸ¿øÀÌ µÇ·Á¸é ȸºñ¸¦ ³³ºÎÇØ¾ß Çϴ°¡? ±×·¸´Ù¸é ȸºñ´Â ¾ó¸¶Àΰ¡? Do I have to pay a membership fee to participate in the activities of AEM? If so, how much is it?