Global Conference on Happy Family
The “Global Conference on Happy Family” was hosted by the Church of God at the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple in Bundang on April 6, 2019. Pastoral staff members from countries such as the U.K., U.S., India, Ecuador, and Peru participated as panelists, sharing their experiences and examples from their respective cultures in an effort to find ways to help members live a happy family life.
Purpose of the Global Conference on Happy Family
The family is the foundation of society and a community of love. However, with the rapid progression of industrialization and the nuclear family structure, many family members find themselves with little time to spend together or are reluctant to engage in face-to-face conversations even when sharing the same space. This erosion of family interaction weakens the sense of unity and belonging, often leading to family breakdowns.[1]
Recognizing the importance of family harmony and happiness, the Church of God, promotes the Bible’s teachings on respect, consideration, and fostering harmony among family members.[2] To support this mission, the pastoral staff organized the “Global Conference on Happy Families,” providing guidance to help members and citizens build joyful and fulfilling family lives.
Program
The “Global Conference on Happy Family” was held in the seminar room of the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple on April 6, 2019. General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol, who led the conference as chairman, said, “A family, a loving community composed of a father, a mother, and their children, is like a small heaven under the sky. When a family is upright and happy, society, the country, and the world can stand upright.”
The common opinion of the panelists was love. They said they can strengthen a family bond when all family members learn the attribute of the love of a mother, who devotes herself to her family at the lowest place and takes care of all the members.
- “To reduce small and big misunderstandings and discord among family members, we must understand each other’s differences and respect each of our roles.” (John Power from Ridgewood, NJ, U.S.)
- “Children learn at home consideration, tolerance, and the meaning of life. The role of the family is still important in modern society, where family relationships are not the same as before because of busy work, study, and individual hobbies.” (Geraldo Emanuel Diaz Fiestas from Callao, Peru)
- “In the Indian society where a patriarchal atmosphere remains, the male married members of our Church of God set good examples. Many people are amazed to see how humbly they deal with small and big matters both at church and at home, and even prepare meals, according to the teaching of God the Mother and the Bible.” (John Shah from New Delhi, India)
Missionary Alexander Laurence Toby Holmes from London, U.K., said “Statistics show that 42% of married couples in the U.K. get divorced. As a pastoral staff member, I will make efforts for those who are struggling with family relations to resolve conflicts and have domestic peace through God’s teachings, ‘Love is patient, it is not rude, and it is not easily angered but kind.’ ”[3]
See also
External links
- "Global Conference on Happy Family". WATV.org.
References
- ↑ [Public Square] Reflecting on the Importance of Family, Daejon Ilbo, May 21, 2015
- ↑ World Mission Society Church of God Celebrates 55th Anniversary, Entering in an era of 3 Million Members, Shindonga, June 2019
- ↑ "1 Corinthians 13:3–4".