Interest in “Community of Mutual Care” was found to be the highest among the 10 keywords in the recently published *Korean Church
Trends 2026*. According to the 117th Numbers Poll conducted by the Pastoral Data Research Institute (Director Ji Yong-geun), 21% of respondents cited this as the most impressive topic. This keyword was covered as the seventh item in the book.
The survey was conducted from September 24 to October 12 targeting 579 subscribers, asking them to select the three topics of greatest interest. As a result, following “Community of Mutual Care,” “Offering; Paradigm Shift” accounted for 18%, and “Migrant Mission” for 13%. Additionally, “AI Ministry Co-pilot,” “Small Giant Churches,” and “Christians Obsessed with Shamanism” each received 9% of the responses.
**Korean Church Trends 2026 Article – Community of Mutual Care** The concept of a “community of mutual care” addresses the care crisis caused by population aging, low birth rates, and family disintegration, suggesting the role the church must fulfill as a “community living together,” moving beyond mere welfare or service. *Korean Church Trends 2026* proposes that care is no longer solely the responsibility of the family, and that the church must practice new methods of care as a relational community.
The book calls for a communal shift in the church, moving beyond simple “service that does something” to asking “how to care for one another together.” If care is essentially a practice carried out within relationships, the book argues that the church, as a relational community, holds a special responsibility and potential regarding care.
In particular, it analyzes that believers in the early stages of faith, quiet believers, and male believers are highly likely to fall into blind spots regarding care. It states that mottos and slogans, such as the one in a provincial church called “A Church Where No One Weeps Alone,” can play a role in changing believers’ perceptions, and that the training of professional care ministers is also necessary.
** This book also advises that the church must train “professional care ministers.” It suggests that beyond simple service training, care education courses should be established to cover topics such as “how to care for oneself” and “skills of empathy and listening,” thereby creating a training ground where congregants can understand one another and connect emotionally.
Furthermore, it points out the need for “care for the caregivers” for those in charge who can easily experience “burnout” while sustaining care ministry. In particular, it emphasizes the necessity of establishing a system to systematically care for pastors.
Ji Yong-geun, Representative of the Pastoral Data Research Institute, stated, “While Korean society has rapidly shifted toward a horizontal society today, the church remains bound under the weight of tradition.” He added, “Now, we need a structure of communication and cooperation that flows ‘side by side,’ rather than commands and directives flowing ‘from top to bottom.'”
Meanwhile, “Korean Church Trends 2026,” jointly planned by the Pastoral Data Research Institute and Hope Friends Korea, presented 10 trends including “Simple Church,” “AI Ministry Co-pilot,” “Small but Strong Church,” “Pastoral Recruitment Beyond Contest,” and “Homo Spiritualis,” and covered major current issues of the Korean church such as ministry in the age of artificial intelligence, the reality of female clergy, changes in offering culture, and missions to immigrants.