It seemed quiet for a while, but once again, misleading and unfounded criticisms about the WCC (World Council of Churches) and the UMC (United Methodist Church) are beginning to surface.

Let me first speak about the WCC.

After experiencing two world wars—especially World War II—humanity was left with deep wounds. In 1948, amid conflict and division, there arose a need for a space where different churches could come together for dialogue and cooperation. That is how the WCC was formed—to pursue a shared mission of peace, justice, human dignity, and service to those in need.

The United Methodist Church, to which our church belongs, is an important member of the WCC. The WCC is a fellowship of more than 350 denominations across over 120 countries. Most major denominations—Presbyterian, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist—are part of it.

In many ways, it is like the United Nations. Just as countries with very different political systems and values—South Korea, North Korea, the United States, Russia, China, Iran, Iraq, and Israel—are all members of the UN and come together for dialogue and cooperation, the WCC exists so that churches may pursue the common good together.

Of course, there are denominations that do not share the same position as the WCC. Yet God continues to use them in meaningful ways. I have close relationships with pastors from such denominations; I preach in their churches, and they do the same in ours. There is no problem—because there is mutual respect.

However, there are individuals and groups who seem to make it their mission to relentlessly attack the WCC. Some arguments simply cannot be reasoned with.

The same is true regarding denominational issues.

At the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church, it was decided to “allow” the ordination of LGBTQ individuals. This decision came after many years of intense conflict, and it was an attempt to find a way to coexist. However, allowing something is not the same as endorsing or supporting it.

Churches that disagreed with this decision chose to leave. First UMC in Flushing could not do so. Because of this, some have spoken harshly against me. But those who walked through this difficult process together understand why leaving was not a simple or responsible option.

I pray for both the churches that have left and those that remain—that all may flourish.

To speak as though one knows what one does not know is foolishness.

In our time, there is a growing tendency to oversimplify complex issues and to quickly judge those who think differently. Especially when discussing matters related to the Church, people often form conclusions based not on deep understanding, but on fragments of information or sensational claims.

To present a part as if it were the whole, is distortion.

To judge without understanding is arrogance.

Those who speak in the name of God must be all the more careful and humbler.

Those who truly understand do not rush to conclusions.

Those who fear God do not absolutize their own opinions.

As Zhuangzi once said, a frog in a well cannot comprehend the vastness of the sea. When our perspective is narrow, our judgment becomes distorted.

In the end, what we must hold onto is not argument, but the heart of Jesus.

And with that heart,

we pray that we may become a church that embraces the world.