This study focuses on the importance of forming a new community for the Korean immigrant in the United States. In order to do this, I discuss experiences of immigrant life and awakening to the reality of a different culture, and consider the identity of Korean immigrants in a Christian perspective. From arrival until a certain period after, many Korean immigrants do not see objectively what they are facing in reality. They do not have a clear understanding of the American reality. The reality of a grueling immigrant life is overshadowed by their idealistic expectation of the land of opportunity and freedom. After a certain period, Korean immigrants begin to realize their real problems, such as family problem, the race problem and cultural differences. One of serious problems that Korean immigrants face is marginality. The first generation of Korean immigrants has a limit on how much they can assimilate to a huge organization such as America. When Korean immigrants encounter the reality of life in the United States, they become conscious of the problems they are faced with, and realize their present situation. They feel alienated in this wilderness country and have strange feelings because they live in a bi-cultural setting. Then they realize the need of their new identity as Korean-American. It is important to understand the new culture and form a new identity in order to adapt new culture in a foreign country. The Korean immigrant church is a very important place for the Korean immigrant. The church provides a meaning to life, a sense of belonging, and psychological peace of mind to immigrants. Furthermore, the church should participate in social issues in a mainstream society for rights and interests. The immigrant church helps people discover their identity through Christian faith. The church has a threefold function: kerygma, koinonia and diakonia. If there three functions are well combined, the church may help Korean immigrants to develop a new community. Korean immigrants should open their clannish boundary of community. A way to live authentic Korean-Americans is beyond the boundary of Koreanness and interacts with the mainstream society and other ethnic groups. With the identity of Korean-Americans, Korean immigrants move toward a dyanamic society of the United States. Then they can develop a new community in muticultural, multiethnic and multiracial society.

• 조은식(숭실대 교수 ․ 선교신학) | Cho Eunsik