Watch my Here I Am Webinar.

This is a special book as it was written in part to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Korean American Presbyterian Clergywoman (2015). Therefore, help us celebrate our anniversary and share the news of our book book.

From the Judson Press website:

This project is a unique compilation of theological reflections and stories of faith from Korean American women in various forms of ministry in the church. The main goal is to share their stories to provide a window of understanding into the trials of Korean American women in ministry—a window that may serve as a mirror for other women who know what it is to be marginalized, overlooked, or prejudged based on their gender, ethnicity, culture, or appearance.  The book’s uniqueness is found in its various genres of writing—from sermons and theological reflections, to poetry and stories of personal journey—from women of various generations. Readers will be encouraged, inspired, and affirmation for other Asian American women called to Christian ministry.  Their stories and voices add clarity, wisdom, and hope, enriching the overall landscape of writings in this field.

Key features: 

• A rare view inside the lives of Korean American female clergy as they experience the challenges and triumphs of ministry and life
• A collection of reflections from Korean American clergywoman, including sermons which are prophetic, visionary, and biblical
• Distinct voices that offer understanding of the wider immigrant and American churches

 

• Editorial Reviews:

  “Here I Am is an anthology of theological contemplations and true tales of faith from Korean American women who serve in various forms of church ministry. The stories often reveal challenges that faced them, including the marginalization due to their ethnicity or gender, but they also contain efforts to make lasting change for the better, as well as teh devotion to serve God’s calling. Inspired and inspiring, Here I Am speaks to faithful Christian readers of all backgrounds and walks of life, and especially to those who may aspire to becoming an ordained minister.”–The Midwest Book Review, January 2016

  “Memoirs, theological reflections, prophetic preaching—all are to found in Here I Am. I may not be Korean or a woman, but I found these essays to be instructive and enlightening. I heard in the words of these women a call to embrace the other. I heard a call to allow these encounters to transform me as a pastor and as a Christian. Yes, these are Kairos stories offered to the church that the church might be transformed.”— Ponderings on a Faith Journey blog. Read the entire review here.

  “Here I Am is an engaging and inspiring read that brings together a diverse group of Korean American clergywomen to share stories, explore theology, and preach sermons. Each chapter reveals the unique challenges and joys experienced by these women. While educating those of us who are not women, clergy, or Korean American, the book also offers deep truths that can empower all of us on our journeys. Given the increasing diversity in the United States, this is a must-read for seminarians, pastors, and church leaders.” —Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Executive Director of Community Renewal Society (Chicago), Author of Coming Together in the 21st Century: The Bible’s Message in an Age of Diversity(Judson)

  “All of these stories are compelling and thoughtful, offering rigorous self-reflection that goes beyond the personal story to describe the way ministry is forged in the crucible of a “hybrid” life, a both-and existence in cultures where differences often lead to being demeaned or devalued. These leaders write of tenacious and examined faith rooted in difference, struggle, joy, and call. The accompanying sermons are solid examples of how stories can move proclamation toward Good News and help others reflect on their own stories as sites of God’s grace. This book is a must-read in every context and across all the lines that divide us. I can hardly wait to use in it a course.”— Rev. Valerie Bridgeman, PhD, Associate Professor of Homiletics & Hebrew Bible, Methodist Theological School in Ohio and Founding President of WomanPreach! Inc.

  “One of the most significant insights coming from liberation theologies (black, feminist, womanist, etc.) is the importance of attending to and honoring the experiences of persons who face oppression due to power discrepancies.  As a seminary professor who regularly finds himself teaching and working with Korean and Korean American women pursuing ordination, one of my persistent struggles has been finding resources to help my students—all my students, not just Korean and Korean American women—recognize and begin to address the contexts in which these women find themselves.  The struggle is twofold:  on the one side, there are far too few books that include reflections on such women’s experiences.  On the other side, such reflections need to highlight the particular contexts in which these women find themselves and also to provide stories with sufficient general “human interest” to help readers connect to those contexts.  Here I Am:  Faith Stories of Korean American Clergywomen succeeds on all these counts.  Whether relaying stories of difficulties pursuing ordination, mothering, or connecting with family on both side of the Pacific or reflecting on the background conditions that make such difficulties distinct and acute, this book offers insights into the lives of a number of women who, in sharing their stories, help us all better understand our own stories and the complex ways we relate to people with other stories.  If Amy Tan wrote stories about Korean and Korean American clergywomen, they might sound like this.”— Mark Douglas, Professor of Christian Ethics, Columbia Theological Seminary