United Korean Presbyterian Church amends its bylaws and enhances its service to the community

The Bethesda, Maryland, congregation partners with National Capital Presbytery and a national staffer to better align with the PC(USA)’s Constitution

August 24, 2024

Over nearly a year, the United Korean Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland, undertook what the Rev. Josh Park calls “a significant project” to amend its bylaws to align more closely with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

“The amendment process was extensive and transformative, requiring not just changes to the document but also a shift in the church’s operational mindset,” said Park, an Assistant Stated Clerk and the Manager for Korean Speaking Council Support in the Office of the General Assembly.

The Rev. Taekhan Yoon is shown preaching at United Korean Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo courtesy of the Rev. Taekhan Yoon)

Working in collaboration with National Capital Presbytery, the church undertook key steps, including re-educating session members on PC(USA) polity, analyzing and explaining necessary bylaw changes, and developing a Manual of Administrative Operation to better equip the session for effective church leadership.

The church’s pastor, the Rev. Taekhan Yoon, began his call at the church about 18 months ago. “The session made the decision we needed to follow PC(USA) law,” Yoon said with occasional translation assistance from Park. “It was time for renewal with the right structure, and the process was dependent on National Capital Presbytery guidance.”

United Korean Presbyterian Church is 55 years old. “They realized after 55 years of carrying out God’s mission there was something not working,” Yoon said. Yoon realized the first step was to re-educate congregational leaders, to “share the joy of what makes our polity work.” Ordained in the PC(USA) by Cherokee Presbytery, Yoon, once his present call had begun, “instead of saying the previous way was wrong … provided an alternative that was more wholistic — not only in conformity with the Constitution, but it’s healthier,” Park said, translating for Yoon. “They were ready. He came as a gentle teacher and as a revealer.”

The Rev. David Baer

Among Yoon’s first moves was to reach out to the presbytery. National Capital Presbytery’s Stated Clerk, the Rev. David Baer, joined Park to preach at the church’s celebration on May 12. Following worship, the congregation voted unanimously to adopt the bylaw changes.

“Rev. Yoon was a gracious host, and before the service we spoke about his having undergone his candidacy in the PC(USA) and the deep grounding in our polity that he carried with him from his formation as a minister,” Baer said. “I appreciate the sense of connection with the larger church that Rev. Yoon expressed, and that informed his desire to lead the congregation through a revision of its bylaws.”

Baer called Park “vital in this effort, providing denominational resources to the pastor and the session in Korean while keeping me updated on their work and allowing me an opportunity to provide feedback. I am grateful for his support, and for his conscientiousness in making sure the congregation stayed connected to the presbytery.”

Watch a recording of the May 12 service here.

The Rev. Josh Park

“When I visited, United Korean looked to be a thriving congregation,” Baer said. “The parking lot was full, and when I stayed for the meal that followed the service and congregational meeting, Rev. Yoon had to excuse himself so that he could lead the new member class, which looked to be substantial when I later glimpsed it through a window on my way out.”

“I hope the new bylaws they adopted help them to continue in their calling as grace-filled, enthusiastic witnesses to the love of Jesus Christ in their community,” Baer said.

According to Yoon, week by week, “the current leaders are living out what it means to be a good Christian and a great Presbyterian.”

Yoon cited one example of a needed change: the previous bylaws required ruling elders to be the leader of a cell group. Cell groups form the fellowship basis at the church, but some cell group leaders were burned out by the responsibilities of leadership.

“You won’t find [the cell group leader requirement] anywhere in PC(USA) polity,” Yoon noted.

During the celebration, Yoon said he witnessed the kind of unity he’d been working toward and praying for.

“This wasn’t the presbytery or the session,” he said of what he saw that day. “Everyone was of one accord. It was a 100% vote, and that’s why everyone was touched.”

Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service

Today’s Focus: United Korean Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Tabatha Peach, Trust Administrative Assistant, Presbyterian Foundation
Charlene Peacock, Reference Archivist, Presbyterian Historical Society

Let us pray

Gracious God, you have blessed us to be a blessing to others. In seeking to care for others, we care for ourselves. In seeking to feed the hungry, we feed ourselves. In seeking to share our blessings, we are reconciled to become the church you created us to be. Open our hearts that we may respond always in the love of Christ. Amen.