ⓒ 2019 WATV

As part of the Global Leadership Conference for Women Pastoral Staff, a global conference on the happy church was held at a seminar room in the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple on April 28 to discuss the roles and attitudes of the women pastoral staff in making happy churches with the members. Seven presenters from six countries, including the U.S., Nepal, and Zimbabwe, and a panel shared opinions to pool their wisdom.

At the beginning of the event, Mother enlightened the women pastoral staff that their role is to take care of brothers and sisters with love, being united with the pastoral staff. She asked them to diligently deliver God’s love to their church members and neighbors.

“It wasn’t easy for me to adapt to a foreign environment and a new lifestyle. But I could overcome language and cultural barriers while trying to treat the members always with a smile, following the example of Mother,” said Elderess Park Hyeon-ock (Pune, India), who has been carrying out the overseas mission for ten years, in her presentation.

During the following panel discussion, the keywords were mother and communication. Elderess Stephanie Zapien (El Paso, TX, U.S.), when asked by the moderator about the role of the women pastoral staff, replied that it is similar to that of a mother in a family. She meant that the women pastoral staff has to give ear to the members who are going through difficulties and cheer them up with love, just as a mother is concerned about her children until they grow up.

ⓒ 2019 WATV

“I learned traditional recipes from the local members and made meals with them. That way, they felt a greater sense of belonging and responsibility, and I came to better understand their sentiments,” said Deaconess Silindile Makhanya (Harare, Zimbabwe), who is originally from South Africa, with an emphasis on the importance of communication.

The next day evening, they had a global workshop on making a happy church. Grouped by continent and region, they discussed the ways to create a happy church, based on their experiences with the members. During the discussion, many ideas, which are related to educating students and children, poured from them.

“Our brothers and sisters have grown up in different lifestyles with varying personalities. I want to love them as Mother does, so that they can always feel happiness at the church,” said Elderess Yu Hyo-sun (Goyang, Korea), who presided at the workshop for the women pastoral staff from the Gyeonggi Bukseo Church Association in Korea.