The current study aims to find ways to build missional congregations. Some times ago, the missional ecclesiology became one of the prevalent and influential theology. As Korean churches have faced rapid declination, church leaders has found its solution in missional ecclesiology. Yet, the advocates of missional ecclesiology have often been criticized for its idealistic approaches and loose connection with the actual life of local churches. Therefore, in this study, the writer suggests the missional congregation as the alternative approach for the missional ecclesiology. The writer convinces that the missional congregation theory becomes the practical expression and relevant application of missional ecclesiology. The concern for missional congregation has been initiated mainly by evangelicals church leaders. However, traditionally, evangelicals has been argued for clear distinction between mission structure and church structure as Ralph Winter suggested in 1974. As ecumenical theologians challenged the view, the first attempt to connect the close relations between mission structure and the church structure was indirectly expressed on the Manila Menifesto in 1989. In 1991, Charles Van Engen, an evangelical theologian, published a book titled God's Missionary People that became an important major voice that argued the missionary dimension of the local church. From the middle of 1990s, in North America, Gospel and Our Culture Network(GOCN) had been a major channel to spread the concept of the missional ecclesiology. In 2004, the Pataya Forum of Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization had been tackled with this issue and developed the idea of missional congregation. The forum suggested various elements of missional congregation. This development had been coincided with the movement of shifting from theory centered missional ecclesiolgy to ministry centered missional congregation theory within the GOCN movement. Concluding, this study has highlighted some important characteristics of missional congregations based on the analysis of Pataya Forum. They are as follows: 1) the missional congregation advocates incarnational approaches; 2) the missional congregation values the relationship with nonbelievers within the society; 3) the missional congregation relays on the Holy Spirit and emphasizes the prayers; 4) the missional congregation values diversity of the culture, therefore, do not support certain cultural structure over other kinds; 5) the missional congregation is active in evangelism and diligent in developing strategies; 6) the missional congregation values nonhierarchical leadership; 7) and the missional congregation promotes partnership between mission organization and local churches.

• 박보경(장로회신학대학교, 선교신학) | Bokyoung Park