Namjoong Kim

Dr. Namjoong Kim serves as an ordained pastor within the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (the PROK). He holds a Ph.D. degree in Liturgical Studies, which he earned from Drew Theological School in 2016. In his role as Associate Dean of Doctoral Programs & International Relations for Korea, Associate Professor of the Practice of Ministry, and Director of the Intensive Doctoral Program in Korean Contexts, he draws upon his extensive experience in education, ministry, and administration to fulfill his role.

Dr. Kim is dedicated to pioneering innovative methods and approaches for practical engagement. His expertise encompasses Worship and Preaching, with a keen focus on diverse areas including Social Justice, Creative Preaching and Worship, Sacraments, Conflict Healing, Reconciliation, and Transformation through Preaching and Worship, as well as Multiculturalism. His membership in esteemed associations such as the North American Academy of Liturgy (NAAL) and the Academy of Homiletics (AH) reflects his commitment to scholarly and practical advancement. Dr. Kim’s aspiration is to contribute significantly to academic and practical objectives, particularly in equipping students for impactful leadership and ministry roles not only in the United States and South Korea but also on a global scale.

Contact
Email: njkim@cst.edu

Education

BTh, Hanshin University
ThM, Graduate School of Hanshin University
STM, Drew University
MPhil, Drew University
PhD, Drew University

Professional Membership

• Full Membership of the North American Academy of Liturgy, 2012-present.
• Full Membership of the Academy of Homiletics, 2009-present.

Courses

• Healing and Transformation through Preaching and Worship
• DMIN Context of Ministry and Project
• Practical Research Project Methodology

Editorial and Peer Review Activities

• Co-Guest Editor, Special Issue: Preaching in Multicultural Contexts, Religions (MDPI), 2023–present (Link)
• Editorial Board Member, Institute of Theological Studies in Hanshin University (KCI-Indexed Journal), 2021–present (Link)
• Blind Peer Reviewer, Religions (MDPI) (February 2024 – Present) – 10 manuscripts reviewed (Link)
• Blind Peer Reviewer, Theology Today (Scopus-Indexed Journal and Web of Science-Indexed Journal) (November 2023 – Present) – 2 manuscripts reviewed (Link)
• Blind Peer Reviewer, Journal of Korean Religions (KCI-Indexed Journal) (2022) – 1 manuscript reviewed (Link)
• Blind Peer Reviewer, Theological Thought (KCI-Indexed Journal) (November 2021 – Present) – 4 manuscripts reviewed (Link)
• Blind Peer Reviewer, Homiletic: The Journal of the Academy of Homiletics (Peer-Reviewed Open-access Journal) (2021) – 1 manuscript reviewed (Link)

Book Chapters

• Worship as Question and Discourse: A Reset Toward Worship Focused on Communication and Fellowship, Encounter and Communion in Leadership Is Discipleship: Leadership Journal (Nashville: Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church, 2025), 69-82.
• “Exploring Intergenerational Worship of Interdependence in a Korean American Context” in Multicultural Worship: Theory and Practice (Religions, 2023), 17-33. https://www.mdpi.com/books/book/7840-multicultural-worship-theory-and-practice
• “Preaching from the Perspective of Asian American Theology” in Preaching the Manifold Grace of God: Theologies of Preaching in the Early Twenty-First Century Volume 2 (Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 2022), 190-206.
• “Digital Ministry Paradigm Shift” in Future Report for Worship and Preaching in the Context of COVID-19: Religious, Practical, and Pastoral Perspectives (Seoul: Worshipleader, 2021), 95-174. 
• “Worship after the Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis in the Korean Context” in Imagine Church after COVID-19 (Seoul: Institute for Biblical Preaching, 2020), 36-51. 

Articles

• Playful Pulpits: Exploring Multicultural Preaching Practices through the Lens of Theology of Play in Preaching in Multicultural Contexts (Religions 2025, 16: 190). https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/190
• “A Worshiping Community of Life and Peace Practicing Hospitality in Resistance to the Five Forms of Oppression: The Renewal and Vocation of the PROK” in Theme Book for the 109th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, 2024, 164-185. (Korean) 
• “Worshipping with Spirit and Truth in a Life-Peace Mission Community: Envisioning a Worshiping Community Harmonizing Rigor (Tradition) and Flexibility (Context)” in Theme Book for the 108th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, 2023, 201-219. (Korean)
• “Exploring Intergenerational Worship of Interdependence in a Korean American Context” Religions 2022, 13: 1222. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/12/1222
• “Worship in the Post-Pandemic Era” Monthly Newsletter, General Conference of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea Vol. 629 (April 2022): 69-73. (Korean)
• “Worship: Reforming and Transforming Community of Faith, Life, Holistic Arts, and Stories” (Theological Thought) 192 (2021/Spring), Theological Thought Institute, 199-228. (Korean)
• “Practical Challenges for Renewing the Church’s Worship: Holy Communion for a Transition to Inspirational Worship” (Seoul: Institute for Mission-Education of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, 2019), 5-23. (Korean)
• “Worship and Preaching for Community Building” Theme Book for the 104th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, 2019, 137-160. (Korean)
• “Church before the Word of God and Challenges Facing Worship and Preaching in the Context of Globalization,” Word and Church Vol. 51 (Spring, 2018): 111-137. (Korean) 
• “Special Service of Harmony: East and West Come Together in Holy Communion,” WorshipArts: The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, November-December (2015): 13-15.
• “Toward an Alternative Prophetic Ministry and Effective Media Usage in an Age of Globalization,” Electronic Article (September 2014). http://aatfweb.org/2014/09/01/toward-an-alternative-prophetic-ministry-and-effective-media-usage-in-an-age-of-globalization/ 
• “The Relationship of the Sacraments and Preaching in the Work of Karl Barth,” Proceedings of the North American Academy of Liturgy, Part 3 (2011): 166-180.
• “Telling Peace 2009,” A Collection of Liturgical Resources for the four Sundays of Advent, WCC Electronic Publications: http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/documents/p2/2009/telling_peace_english.pdf (English) *Namjoong Kim engaged in “Second Sunday in Advent: Political Peace” as one of the music and liturgy workshop participants.
• “Understanding a Memorial Service for Those Who Attempted to Take Their Own Life,” Newsnjoy Electronic Newspaper Article (June. 2009). http://www.newsnjoy.us/news/articleView.html?idxno=1357 (Korean)

Book Reviews

• Seung Mok Choi, Rethinking the Faith: A New Look at Christian Doctrine for Modern Believers (Seoul: ILoveChurch, 2014). (Korean)
• Seung Mok Choi. Brunch with the Holy Spirit (Seoul: ILoveChurch, 2019), 10-12. (Korean)
• Ronald P. Byars. The Sacraments in Biblical Perspective. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2011. Theology Thought of The Quarterly of the Korea Theological Study Institute Vol. 182 (Fall, 2018): 411-416. (Korean)
• Jeanette S. Jouili. Pious Practice and Secular Constraints: Women in the Islamic Revival in France and Germany. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2015. Homiletics Journal Vol. 40 No. 2 (2015): 62-63.
• HyeRan Kim-Cragg and EunYoung Choi. The Encounters: Retelling the Bible from Migration and Intercultural Perspectives. Daejeon: Daejanggan Publisher, 2013. Homiletics Journal Vol. 40 No. 1 (2015): 65-66.
• Andrew B. McGowan. Early Church Practices in Social, Historical, and Theological Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2014. Homiletics Journal Vol. 39 No. 2 (2014): 66-67.  
• Meredith Gould. The Social Media Gospel: Sharing the Good News in New Ways. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2013. Homiletics Journal Vol. 39 No. 1 (2014): 38-39.
• Ee Kon Kim, Salvation by Letting Go of Life, Seoul: Veritas Press, 2013. SNEH (Burning Bush) Vol. 9 (2014): 183-190. (Korean)
• Ronald P. Byars. The Sacraments in Biblical Perspective. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2011. Homiletics Journal Vol. 38 No. 1 (2013): 74-75.
• John S. Bohannon. Preaching and The Emerging Church: An Examination of Four Founding Leaders: Mark Driscoll, Dan Kimball, Brian McLaren, and Doug Pagitt. Seattle: CreateSpace, 2010. Homiletics Journal Vol. 37 No. 1 (2012): 67-68.

Presentations

• “Doing Justice, Healing Conflict, and Transforming Culture: The Role of Prophetic Story in Preaching.” Presentation at NAAL (North American Academy of Liturgy) 2020 Meeting, Atlanta, GA.
• “Worship: Reforming and Transforming Community of Faith, Life, Arts, and Stories.” Presentation for the Anniversary Lecture of the Reformation at Methodist Theological University in South Korea (10/29/2019)
• “Worship and Preaching Forming and Transforming Our Lives.” Presentation at NAAL (North American Academy of Liturgy) 2018 Meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 
• “The Role of African American Preachers and Preaching in Social Transformation and Anti-Racism: Gardner C. Taylor and Gary Simpson.” Presentation at NAAL (North American Academy of Liturgy) 2015 Meeting, Minneapolis, MN. 
• “Love and Lament: A Presentation/Performance of 1 Samuel 18-20.” Presentation with Dr. Heather Murray Elkins and Mr. Micah Gary at the Academy of Homiletics 2013 Meeting, Louisville, KY.
• “Toward an Alternative [Korean] Prophetic Preaching in the Context of Globalization.” Presentation at NAAL (North American Academy of Liturgy) 2013 Meeting, Albuquerque, NM.
• “The Relationship of the Sacraments and Preaching in the Work of Karl Barth.” Presentation at NAAL (North American Academy of Liturgy) 2011 Meeting, San Francisco, CA.

Lectures and Teachings (2016-present)

• “Learning about Church and Leadership Through Worship,” at the Guya Presbyterian Church Leadership Retreat (January 12, 2025)
• “Rediscovering the Essence of Worship and Communion in a Changing Era,” and “Examining the Identity of the Preacher and the Power of Transformative Preaching,” co-hosted by the Gwangju Presbytery Ministers’ Association, Bitgoeul Peace Forum, and Christian Academy (October 25, 2024). Held at Gwangju Mudol Church, Gwangju, South Korea.  
• “Exploring the Fusion of Language and Culture: A Workshop on Crossing Boundaries in Worship and Preaching,” Rethinking Preaching 2024: Crossing Boundaries Toward Healing, Emmanuel College in Toronto, Canada. (April 15, 2024) Online.
• “Preaching and Preachers Needed in the Present Age,” Seminar of Education Committee of Gyeonggibuk Presbytery in the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK), cooperated with Institute for Biblical Preaching in South Korea (March 19, 2024). This event was held in the city of Goyang, located in Gyeonggi Province in the north of South Korea.
• “Preaching and Preachers Needed in the Present Age,” Seminar of the Mokpo Pastors’ Bible Study Group, cooperated with Institute for Biblical Preaching in South Korea (January 22, 2024). It was held in the city of Mokpo, located at South Jeolla Province, South Korea. 
• “The 2023 Worship and Preaching Clinic,” Seminar led by The North American Christian Academy (July 10-11, 2023), New Jersey & New York. 
• “Navigating the Pandemic Impact on Churches in North America: Diagnosis and Outlook, The Future of Churches and Spirituality: Post-Pandemic Worship and Preaching,” Seminar of The PCUSA Ministry Conference in February (February 13-15, 2023), Helen, Ga.
• “Exploring Church and Leadership through Worship,” Leadership Seminar of The Korean Central Presbyterian Church of Atlanta (February 11, 2023), Atlanta, GA.
• “Women, Spirituality, and Leadership through the Understanding of Liturgy,” Two Seminars of National Network of Korean American United Methodist Women (February 1 & 25, 2023) Online. 
• “How to Revive Worship and Preaching in the Pandemic Ear,” Seminar of The 3040 PCUSA Ministry Conference in September (September 26-29, 2022), Torrance, CA.
• “Holy Communion: from Religious Ritual to Life,” Seminar led by Gwacheon Glory Presbyterian Church in South Korea (November 2022) Online.
• “Worship Design 101,” Six-time Zoom Seminars for Younger Generation Korean Pastors belonging to Institute for Biblical Preaching and preparing opening and closing worship services for their special ministry conference in September (August & September 2022) Online.
• “How to Design Worship in the Pandemic Ear,” Four-time Zoom Seminars for Younger Generation Korean Pastors led by Institute for Biblical Preaching (June & July 2022) Online.
• “Religious Education, Pastoral Care, and Liturgy based on Play,” The 13th Conference in Portland, USA, led by The Council on Oversea Korean Churches for Education & Ministry (April 2022) Online.
• “Liturgy as Play: Encounter between Deus Ludens and Homo Ludens,” Seminar for Younger Generation Korean Pastors led by Institute for Biblical Preaching (February 2022) Online.
• “Korean Immigration History and Next Generation’s Religious Education,” Seminar of National Network of Korean American United Methodist Women (June 26, 2021) Online.
• “Dreaming of a New Life and Story of a Worshiping Community living in the Post-Pandemic Era,” Leadership Seminar of Montreal Korean United Church (April 25, 2021) Online.
• “The Nature of Worship in the Context of COVID-19 and Theology in the Mongolian Context,” Methodist Theological School in Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. (March 12, 2021) Online.
• “2021 Worship and Ministry,” Seminar to Prepare for New Year’s Ministry provided by Institute for Mission-Education of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (November 23, 2020) Online.
  • 1st: https://youtu.be/PiOsaP74kGI
  • 2nd: https://youtu.be/vjYufLQbQfQ
  • 3rd: https://youtu.be/VfudnzC937k
• “Pneuma and Sabbath in the COVID-19 Pandemic,” 2020 Annual Conference of Korean American United Methodist Women (November 14, 2020) Online.
• “Digital Worship Paradigm and Virtual Communion Practices,” Worship Conference 2020, Claremont, CA. Online.
• “2020 Worship and Ministry,” Seminar of the Gwangju Pastoral Association in South Korea (November 7, 2019), City of Gwangju, Jeolla Province, South Korea. 
• “2020 Worship and Ministry,” Seminar to Prepare for New Year’s Ministry provided by Institute for Mission-Education of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea in South Korea (November 5, 2019), Daecheon, Chungnam Province, South Korea. 
• “Worship: Reforming and Transforming Community of Faith, Life, Arts, and Stories,” Methodist Theological University, Seoul, South Korea. (October 29, 2019)
• “Creative Preaching and Practices,” Seminar of the Seoul Pastoral Association prepared by Institute for Biblical Preaching in South Korea (October 24, 2019) led by Institute for Biblical Preaching, Seoul, South Korea. 
• “Creative Preaching and Practices,” Seminar of the Jeonju Pastoral Association prepared by Institute for Biblical Preaching in South Korea (October 22, 2019) led by Institute for Biblical Preaching, City of Jeonju, Jeolla Province, South Korea. 
• “Practical Challenges for Renewing the Church’s Worship: Holy Communion for a Transition to Inspirational Worship,” Institute for Mission-Education of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (August 2019), Seoul, South Korea.
• “The Features and Tasks of the Contemporary Worship in Korean Context,” the Jeju Pastoral Association (July 2019), Jeju-do, South Korea.
• “Sacrament of the Eucharist,” Pastoral Conference 2018 (October) led by Institute for Biblical Preaching, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea. 
• “Worship: Life, Arts, and Stories focusing on Communion,” Worship Conference 2018, Claremont, CA. 
• “Young People: How Will You Live?,” The Oaks Camp and Conference Center (August 2018) led by Young Nak Young Adult Group Summer Retreat, Lake Hughes, CA.
• “Holy Communion: Life, Arts, and Stories,” Claremont School of Theology (August) led by Worship Conference 2018, Claremont, CA.
• “The Features of the Current Homiletics,” Growing Church Conference 2018 (February) led by Western Jurisdiction Korean Mission Ministry Council of The United Methodist Church, Las Vegas, NV. 
• “Worship Forming and Transforming Our Daily Lives,” The Light and Salt Presbyterian Church and The Iksan First Presbyterian Church 2018 (January), City of Iksan, Jeolla Province, South Korea.
• “Sacrament of the Eucharist,” the Pastoral Conference 2018 (January) led by Institute for Biblical Preaching, City of Boryeong, Chungcheong Province, South Korea. 
• “The Contemporary Homiletics,” the Pastoral Conference 2018 (January) led by Institute for Biblical Preaching, City of Cheonan, Chungcheong Province, South Korea. 
• “Sacrament of the Eucharist,” the Pastoral Conference 2017 (November) led by Institute for Biblical Preaching, City of Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.  
• “The Past, Present, and Future of the Homiletics,” Hannam University, City of Daejeon, Chungcheong Province, South Korea. (October 2017)
• “Sacrament of the Eucharist,” Pastoral Conference 2017 (October) led by Institute for Biblical Preaching, City of Jeonju, Jeolla Province, South Korea. 
• “The Creative Preaching,” New York Pastoral Conference 2017 (August) led by Midongbu Christian Academy, NY. 
• “The Creative Preaching,” New Jersey Pastoral Conference 2017 (August) led by Midongbu Christian Academy, NJ. 
• “The Creative Preaching,” Pennsylvania Pastoral Conference 2017 (August) led by Midongbu Christian Academy, PA. 
• “Preaching and Worship,” Pastoral Conference 2016 (October) led by Institute for Biblical Preaching, Seoul, South Korea.
• “Preaching and Worship,” Pastoral Conference 2016 (October) led by Institute for Biblical Preaching, City of Gwangju, Jeolla Province, South Korea.