Sample Survey of Korean Churches in Southern California,

2003(N = 149)

Conducted by Korean American Coalition

Research Director: Prof. Eui-Young Yu (Cal State LA)

Assistants:Jennifer Sohn and Sophia Kim

September 17, 2003

This project is partly sponsored by Christian Herald.

Table 1.1. Detailed Denominations of Korean American Churches in Southern California, 2003

교단및교파명 교회수 Percent

미주한인예수교장로회통합 19 12.75%

대한예수교장로회미주합동총회 15 10.07%

United Methodist Church 13 8.72%

Southern Baptist Church 12 8.05%

Presbyterian Church USA 8 5.37%

미주한인예수교장로회개혁 7 4.70%

기독교대한감리회 7 4.70%

기독교미주성결교회 6 4.03%

Christian Reformed Church 5 3.36%

Presbyterian Church in America 4 2.68%

재미한인예수교장로회 3 2.01%

크리스찬장로회 3 2.01%

순복음북미총회 3 2.01%

Assembly of God 3 2.01%

Church of Christ 3 2.01%

재칠일안식일예수재림교회 3 2.01%

장로교회 2 1.34%

북미주개혁장로회 2 1.34%

Table 1.2. Detailed Denominations of Korean American Churches in Southern California, 2003

교단및교파명 교회수 Percent

대한예수교장로회미주연합노회 2 1.34%

The Wesleyan Church 2 1.34%

기독교연합선교회 2 1.34%

International Church of the Four Square 2 1.34%

대한예수교장로회전도총회 1 0.67%

대한예수교장로회합동전통 1 0.67%

미주합동개혁장로교회 1 0.67%

장로교합동보수 1 0.67%

예수교장로회재건교단 1 0.67%

미주복음주의장로교협의회 1 0.67%

미주세계감리회 1 0.67%

Goodness Mission Baptist 1 0.67%

성서침례교회 1 0.67%

Church of God 1 0.67%

Christian Church (제자회 ) 1 0.67%

세계복음선교연합회 1 0.67%

나사렛교단 1 0.67%

독립또는초교파 6 4.03%

교단또는교파불명 4 2.68%

Total 149 100.00%

Table 2. Denominational Affiliation of Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Denomination Frequency PercentPresbyterian 71 49.0

Methodist 22 15.2

Baptist 14 9.7

Holiness 6 4.1

Other 32 22.1

Total 145 100.0

Table 3. Year Founded, Korean Churches in Southern

California, 2003

Year Founded Frequency Percent1904 – 69 5 3.4

1970 – 79 26 17.7

1980 – 89 34 23.1

1990 – 99 66 44.9

2000 – 03 16 10.9

Total 147 100.0

Table 4. Number of Sunday Attendants, 25 Years of Age and Over, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Number of Attendants

Frequency Percent

Less than 20 16 10.8

20 – 49 46 31.1

50 – 99 41 27.7

100 – 249 25 16.9

250 – 499 13 8.8

500 – 999 4 2.7

1,000 and Over 3 2.0

Total 148 100.0

Minimum 0

Maximum 4,000

Mean 147.4

Median 57.5

Table 5. Number of Sunday Attendants, 18 – 24 Years of Age, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Number of Attendants

Frequency Percent

Less than 20 101 68.7

20 – 49 27 18.4

50 – 99 13 8.8

100 – 249 4 2.7

250 – 499 1 .7

1,000 and Over 1 .7

Total 147 100.0

Mean 31.4

Median 10

Table 6. Number of Sunday Attendants, Under 18 Years of Age, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Number of Attendants

Frequency Percent

Less than 20 61 41.2

20 – 49 45 30.4

50 – 99 23 15.5

100 – 249 13 8.8

250 – 499 3 2.0

500 – 999 2 1.4

1,000 and Over 1 .7

Total 148 100.0

Mean 65.9

Median 26.0

Table 7. Number of Sunday Attendants, 18 Years of Age and over, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Number of Attendants

Frequency Percent

Less than 20 14 9.5

20 – 49 38 25.9

50 – 99 44 29.9

100 – 249 31 21.1

250 – 499 11 7.5

500 – 999 6 4.1

1,000 and Over 3 2.0

Total 147 100.0

Minimum 2

Maximum 5,200

Mean 176

Median 71

Table 8. Total Sunday Attendance Including Children, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Number of Attendants

Frequency Percent

Less than 20 9 6.1

20 – 49 26 17.7

50 – 99 41 27.9

100 – 249 45 30.6

250 – 499 14 9.5

500 – 999 7 4.8

1,000 and Over 5 3.4

Total 147 100.0

Minimum 2

Maximum 7,900

Mean 241

Median 97

Table 9. Church School, College Group, and English Ministry Attendance, Korean Churches in Southern

California, 2003

Grade Level Mean Median Minimum MaximumKindergarten 11.40 5 0 300

Grades 1-5 18.97 8 0 500

Grades 6-8 14.01 5.5 0 500

Grades 9-12 16.18 5 0 700

College Group 10.97 4 0 (47.6%) 250

English Ministry 15.64 0 0 (60.4%) 200

Youth Adult Group 16.62 3 0 (49.0%) 700

Early Morning Service Mean Median Minimum MaximumMale 8.13 4 0 (14.7%) 120

Female 9.48 5 0 (15.4%) 150

Total 18.01 10 0 (12.2%) 250

Wednesday Evening Service Mean Median Minimum MaximumMale 8.68 4 0 (39.7%) 150

Female 11.64 6 0 (39.0%) 180

Total 21.27 10 0 (37.8%) 330

Table 10. Number of Attendance at Early Morning and Wednesday Evening Services, Korean Churches in

Southern California, 2003

Table 11. Number of Full-time Pastors, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Full-time Frequency Percent

0 1 .07

1 114 76.5

2 or More 34 22.8

Total 149 100.0

Mean 1.51

Median 1.00

Table 12. Number of Part-time Pastors, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Part-time Frequency Percent0 92 61.7

1 34 22.8

2 or More 23 15.4

Total 149 99.9

Mean .64

Median .00

Table 13. Number of Full-Time Jundosanim, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Full-time Frequency Percent

0 108 72.5

1 or More 41 27.5

Total 149 100.0

Mean .49

Median .00

Table 14. Number of Part-time Jundosanim, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Part-time Frequency Percent

0 54 36.2

1 40 26.8

2 or More 55 36.9

Total 149 99.9

Mean 1.62

Median 1.00

Table 15. Number of Jundosanim, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Number Frequency Percent0 36 24.2

1 46 30.9

2 32 21.5

3 or more 35 23.5

Total 149 100.1

Mean 2.11

Median 1.00

Table 16. Number of Full-time Non-pastoral Staff, Korean

Churches in Southern California, 2003 Full-time Frequency Percent

0 111 75.0

1 or More 37 25.0

Total 148 100.0

Mean .46

Median .00

Table 17. Number of Part-time Non-pastoral Staff, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Part-time Frequency Percent

0 71 47.7

1 31 20.8

2 or More 47 31.5

Total 149 100.0

Mean 1.21

Median 1.00

Table 18. Number of Ruling Elders, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Ruling Elders

Frequency Percent

0 59 39.6

1 – 2 47 31.6

3 or More 43 28.9

Total 149 100.1

Mean 2.21

Median 1.00

Table 19. Number of Non-ruling Elders, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Non-ruling Elders

Frequency Percent

0 86 57.7

1 – 2 36 24.1

3 or More 27 18.1

Total 149 99.9

Mean 1.67

Median 0.00

Table 20. Number of Kwonsanim, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Kwonsanim Frequency Percent0 33 22.1

1 – 2 32 21.5

3 – 4 22 14.8

5 – 9 27 18.1

10 or More 35 23.5

Total 149 100.0

Mean 9.03

Median 3.00

Table 21. Number of Deacons, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Deacons Mean Median Minimum Maximum

Ordained 6.91 2.00 0 139

Not ordained 45.00 17.00 0 1,126

Total Jipsanim 51.95 20.00 0 1,276

Deacons Mean Median Minimum Maximum

Number of Missionaries 7.37 3 0 (14.1%) 120

Number of Countries 3.37 2 0 (17.7%) 44

Annual Monetary Support for Missionaries($)

26,708 5,700 0 (18.3%) 700,000

Percent of Church Budget Allocated to Missionaries

13.31% 10.00% 0 (12.1%) 100%

Table 22. Missionary Support by Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

23.1. Countries where Korean American Churches are Supporting Missionaries, Southern California, 2003

Countries Number of Churches Percent

China 55 36.91%

Mexico 43 28.86%

South Korea 26 17.45%

U.S.A 26 17.45%

Russia 14 9.40%

Mongolia 13 8.72%

Japan 12 8.05%

Brazil 12 8.05%

Thailand 11 7.38%

North Korea 11 7.38%

Kenya 11 7.38%

Philippines 9 6.04%

Indonesia 8 5.37%

Turkey 8 5.37%

Peru 8 5.37%

Nepal 7 4.70%

Bolivia 7 4.70%

23.2. Countries where Korean American Churches are Supporting Missionaries, Southern California, 2003

Countries Number of Churches Percent

Guiana 7 4.70%

India 6 4.03%

Afghanistan 6 4.03%

Israel 6 4.03%

Uzbekhistan 6 4.03%

Kazakhstan 6 4.03%

Paraguay 6 4.03%

Arzentina 6 4.03%

Papua New Guinea 5 3.36%

Bangladesh 5 3.36%

Pakistan 5 3.36%

Africa Region 5 3.36%

Ukraina 5 3.36%

Vietnam 4 2.68%

Egypt 4 2.68%

Central Asia 4 2.68%

Cambodia 3 2.01%

23.3. Countries where Korean American Churches are Supporting Missionaries, Southern California, 2003

Countries Number of Churches Percent

South Africa 3 2.01%

Tanzania 3 2.01%

Kirighiztan 3 2.01%

Former USSR 3 2.01%

Canada 3 2.01%

Tibet 2 1.34%

Singapore 2 1.34%

Myanma (Burma) 2 1.34%

Asia Region 2 1.34%

Nigeria 2 1.34%

Gambia 2 1.34%

Yemen 2 1.34%

Hungary 2 1.34%

Greece 2 1.34%

Albania 2 1.34%

Middle East 2 1.34%

Costa Rica 2 1.34%

23.4. Countries where Korean American Churches are Supporting Missionaries, Southern California, 2003

Countries Number of Churches Percent

South America 2 1.34%

Taiwan 1 0.67%

Borneo 1 0.67%

Malyasia 1 0.67%

Laos 1 0.67%

Saipan 1 0.67%

Liberia 1 0.67%

Rewanda 1 0.67%

Gini 1 0.67%

Congo 1 0.67%

Ethiopia 1 0.67%

Bozwana 1 0.67%

Uganda 1 0.67%

Senegal 1 0.67%

Angola 1 0.67%

Zambia 1 0.67%

Somalia 1 0.67%

23.5. Countries where Korean American Churches are Supporting Missionaries, Southern California, 2003

Countries Number of Churches Percent

Namibia 1 0.67%

Jordan 1 0.67%

Germany 1 0.67%

Ireland 1 0.67%

Rumania 1 0.67%

Bulgaria 1 0.67%

Croatia 1 0.67%

Caucasus 1 0.67%

Europe 1 0.67%

Ecuador 1 0.67%

El Salvador 1 0.67%

Venequela 1 0.67%

Dominican Republic 1 0.67%

Chile 1 0.67%

Guatemala 1 0.67%

Latin America 1 0.67%

North America 1 0.67%

Australia 1 0.67%

Table 24. Yearly Budget Total, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Budget ($) Frequency PercentLess than 50,000 23 15.8

50,000 – 99,999 39 26.7

100,000 – 249,999 44 30.1

250,000 – 499,999 19 13.0

500,000 – 999,999 13 8.9

1,000,000 – 2,499,999 6 4.1

2,500,000 – 4,999,999 1 .7

5,000,000 and over 1 .7

Total 146 100.0

Mean $336,000

Median $137,500

Table 25. Budget Allocation in Percent by Areas, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Area Mean Median Minimum Maximum

Church School (Education) 11.65 10.00 0 (13.6%) 40

Missionary Support 13.31 10.00 0 (12.1%) 100

Community Service 3.73 3.00 0 (43.2%) 20

Helping the needy 4.65 5.00 0 (33.1%) 50

Building/Facility Maintenance 23.41 20.00 0 (10.7%) 85

Salaries/Compensation 29.29 30.00 0 (11.4%) 80

Frequency PercentOwned 69 46.6%

Rented 78 52.7%

Other 1 0.7%

Total 148 100.0%

Table 26. Church Building Ownership, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Frequency PercentYes 73 49.7%

No 74 50.3%

Total 147 100.0%

Table 27. Korean Language School Operation, Korean Churches in Southern California, 2003

Table 28. Approve Work on the Sabbath?, Korean Pastors in Southern California, 2003

Frequency PercentUnacceptable in Any Circumstance

43 29.3%

Depends on Circumstance

72 49.0%

Choice of Parties Involved

32 21.8%

Total 147 100.0%

Frequency PercentUnacceptable in Any Circumstance

59 40.7%

Personal Decision 59 40.7%

Couple’s Decision 27 18.7%

Total 145 100.0%

Table 29. Approve Divorce?, Korean Pastors in Southern California, 2003

Table 30. Approve Gay and Lesbian People?, Korean Pastors in Southern California, 2003

Frequency

Percent Approve

Percent Not Approve

As Pastors 4 2.7% 97.3%

As Church Officers 14 9.7% 90.3%

As Church Members 104 75.4% 24.6%

Table 31. Prospects of Korean Churches 50 Years from Now, Korean Churches of Southern

California, 2003

Frequency PercentMuch more active 39 26.7%

Same as now 30 20.5%

Weaker than now 56 38.4%

Much weaker than now 21 14.4%

Total 146 100.0%

Table 32. Will the 2nd Generation Inherit the 1st Generation Churches?, Korean Churches in

Southern California, 2003

Frequency PercentWill definitely inherit 15 10.3%

To some degree 96 65.8%

They will leave 33 22.6%

Don’t know 2 1.4%

Total 146 100.0%