ABSTRACT More recently, the Korean church is challenged by the growing realities of racial and cultural diversity as international migration has accelerated. These challenges have caused issues Korean churches must struggle to address if they are to witness faithfully to diasporas in Korea. Despite these circumstances, Korean theology on diasporas, especially among evangelicals, still has a monotonous tone and neglects the presence of diasporas and cultural diversity. Moreover, in spite of the fact that many people in diasporas are from the so-called 10/40 Window, most Korean missionary work, Korean churches, and Korean Christians have a very low awareness of diasporas. The purpose of this research is to identify the implications of diaspora missions in the current Korean context. To do this, “Diaspora Missiology” is utilized as a framework for analysis, including the work of social sciences and theology. The study of social sciences includes 1) migration theory, such as the neo-classical migration theory, new economics of migration, the dual labor market theory, world systems theory, network theory, institutional theory, and cumulative causation and 2) immigration politics including the policy of immigration integration and immigration control. These theories help analyze and identify the context of diaspora in Korea, including the motivations to migrate and issues of diasporas in the country. A biblical understanding helps acknowledge diasporas from the perspective of God’s redemptive purpose; the theory of the Triune God and hospitality are provided as theological foundations for diasporas; and three missional strategies, such as reverse mission, holistic mission, and partnership in mission are given as criteria to analyze ongoing diaspora missions in Korea local churches. This study includes three Korean senior pastors, four Korean mission pastors, two staff of a mission center, eleven Korean church members, twenty-three diaspora church members, nine non-Korean ministers, and six experts in diaspora missions who are working in mission organizations or mission centers for diasporas. The study also features six churches, which are carrying on missions for diasporas, such as SaeJoongAng Church (GyungGi-do), Gumi Jeil Church (Gyunggi-do), NaSom Church (Seoul), Hamkehaneun Church (Kangwon-do), Onnuri Church (Seoul), and Daegu Saeronam Church (Daegu). Based on interviews and observations of the missions in the churches, this study was able to identify the following three implications of diaspora missions in the context of Korea. That is, diaspora missions play a significant role as a vehicle for world missions, for social integration, and for the renewal of the Korean church. This study also provides suggestions based on findings for improving ongoing diaspora missions in the Korean local church. The suggestions are given in five categories: leadership, missions and evangelism, worship, partnership and network, and the formation of a learning community. DISSERTATION APPROVAL SHEET This dissertation, entitled FROM THE “CHURCH FOR” TO THE “CHURCH WITH”: A STUDY OF DIASPORA MISSIONS IN SOUTH KOREA Written by Yuno Kim and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Missiology has been read and approved by the undersigned members of the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary _________________________ Dr. Steve Ybarrola, Mentor w _________________________ Dr. Eunice L. Irwin, Reader w FROM THE “CHURCH FOR” TO THE “CHURCH WITH”: A STUDY OF DIASPORA MISSIONS IN SOUTH KOREA A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary Wilmore, Kentucky In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Missiology Dissertation Committee Dr. Steve Ybarrola, Mentor Dr. Eunice L. Irwin, Reader By Yuno Kim May 2013 Copyright 2013 Yuno Kim All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLE ................................................................................................................v LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................. vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ...................1 Background of the Problem ...................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ......................................................................................................... 13 Research Questions ................................................................................................................... 14 Theological Framework ............................................................................................................ 15 Definition of Key Terms ........................................................................................................... 23 Delimitations ............................................................................................................................ 26 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 27 Data Collection ...................................................................................................................... 27 Data Collection Procedure ..................................................................................................... 31 Data Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 32 Ethical Issue .............................................................................................................................. 33 Significance of the Research .................................................................................................... 34 CHAPTER 2: DIASPORA MISSIOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE ............................35 Theories of Migration ............................................................................................................... 35 The law of Migration ........................................................................................................... 34 Neoclassical Migration Theory ............................................................................................ 36 New Economic of Migration ................................................................................................ 38 Dual Labor Market Theory .................................................................................................. 39 World System Theory .......................................................................................................... 40 Network Theory ................................................................................................................... 41 Institutional Theory .............................................................................................................. 42 Cumulative Causation Theory ............................................................................................... 43 Synthetic Approach .............................................................................................................. 44 What is DIASPORA ? ................................................................................................................ 46 The Word of Diaspora ......................................................................................................... 46 Defining Diaspora ............................................................................................................... 47 Questions in Defining Diaspora .......................................................................................... 50 Defining diasporas in South Korea ....................................................................................... 52 Migration and Immigration Policy .......................................................................................... 53 Immigration Control ............................................................................................................. 54 Immigration Integration ....................................................................................................... 59 Migration and Religion ............................................................................................................ 63 Migration and the Role of Religion ...................................................................................... 63 Migration and Religious Change .......................................................................................... 66 Summary ................................................................................................................................ 68 CHAPTER 3: BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION FOR DIASPORA MISSIOLOGY ...................................................................................................................71 Biblical Foundation ................................................................................................................... 71 Diaspora in Old Testament ................................................................................................... 71 Diaspora in New Testament ................................................................................................. 73 Motivation to Move in the Bible .........................................................................................