As the leaders of CFC, we repent and acknowledge our failings and the many ways that we need to change.. Former church members expressed dismay over CFCs apparent about-face. But now were not really given that chance.. 6 min read. In February of 2019, Park said she reported the matter to Kim and urged him to allow a third-party investigation, but Kim refused. Korean Christians have had such a tremendous and positive impact over the last few decades on local communities and believers, its difficult to overstate. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of "Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse" by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. The church that Min pastored operated without a board of elders or denominational oversight, which allowed him to create a system with few checks or balances. But the way to combat shame isnt to fix yourself or cover your misdeedsit is to be truly known and loved. Chung founded CFC in 1990, and its now home to more than a thousand members hailing from more than 20 ethno-linguistic groups, according to its website. margin: 0; tricked into sending Asian Texans drivers licenses to fraud scheme, Everything Everywhere All at Once nearly sweeps SAG Awards, Elon Musk uses Asians in defense of Dilbert creators remarks about Black people, Michelle Yeoh wins SAG Award for best actress. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Amid rumors of sexual misconduct, Chung announced in the summer of 2019 that he would transition out of the head pastor role and that a team of associate pastors would take over. In one instance, Chung assaulted a woman in the back seat of a car in 2001, the report alleges. Gave $3 Million Grant for Reconstruction of Historic First Baptist Church in Williamsburg. WebWorked at Associate Pastor of New People Baptist Church (Sae Kook Min Baptist Church (1978-1987) and PoDowon Baptist Church (2006-2010) Lives in Gimpo Pastor Cyrus Park said when she confronted Chung, he said had a dream in which God showed him that he was a lampstand for his generation, and that he should keep preaching as part of his healing. Nothing was ever followed up on with me. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. We judge that his relationship with God is restored as we consider the grace of God. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? Charles Zimmerman has been a speaker at One In Love, which Chung founded, and theyve both been main speakers at Global Kingdom Young Adult Missions Festival, where Chung was a board member. WebPastor Min Chung (@pminchung) Instagram photos and videos pminchung 119 posts 1,287 followers 21 following Pastor Min Chung This Account is Private Already follow The World Economic Forum ranks the country 115th out of 145 countries in gender equality. The commission declared the KCP should have disciplined the pastor according to the PCAs Book of Church Order not follow the restorative steps the associate pastors had instituted, according to Brian Park. We recognize that some have suffered, often silently, because of our church, states CFCs letter. Ultimately my hope is to discover who God truly is, beyond the God that CFC represented.. AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. } In May, CFC severed ties with Chung and hired Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (G.R.A.C.E.) Last summer, Kim, writing on behalf of the Oversight Board, promised that CFC would release a full report at the conclusion of GRACEs investigation. It serves as a digital platform for evangelical leaders, writers, speakers, and bloggers who share the same values of faith to provide Gospel-centered resources.View all posts by SOLA Network, This week we continued sharing our content from SOLA Conference 2021. I talked to him about it. Photo: Illustration by Andjela Padejski, Photo by Manuel Martinez/WBEZ News, Move over, Bruce Willis: NASA crashed into an asteroid to test planetary defense, Students protest University of Illinois investments related to fossil fuels. text-align: left; } But TRR said that the ruling may still be appealed to the Standing Judicial Commission of the PCA's General Assembly. The report doesnt offer explicit details of the incident, but states that the touching was in a way that could be constituted as sexual assault under Illinois law. On December 4, 2022, CFC became a particular church within the Presbytery of Nov. 22, 2018. There was never a feeling that this should be reported.. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-handle-content { However, the gospel also demonstrates that mercy is not given at the expense of justice and vice versa. While we do not want to minimize the importance of seeking justice on earth, we want to encourage you with the reminder that it is God who has the final say. Some members of the allegation group also said they lacked confidence the KCP would handle any future cases differently, given the ties many of the pastors had to Chung. .jet-smart-listing__post-title:after { We grieve the subtle undertones of misogyny that have been present in our churches and have contributed to unbiblical hierarchies and unhealthy power structures. Conversations about sex, including consent, are taboo. It went terribly, according to the report. He kept this information hidden for nearly 20 years from his wife, his church leaders, and other leaders outside the church. We prefer to style these with the main accent color of our theme */ Hi. If they found out, they would be devastated and you know how people talk, and I wouldnt want them to have to go through that. . .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-button > button { .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-controls .mejs-time-rail .mejs-time-loaded { He is the ultimate judge who will make right all wrongs and the one who will both save and destroy. Chung turned over leadership of the church he founded in 2019 to a team of associate pastors, according to Ministry Watch. After that, he was Korean Church Stops Independent Investigation into Sexual Frank Barker, whose 4,000-member Briarwood Presbyterian Church grew from a Birmingham, Alabama, storefront before he helped found the conservative Presbyterian. The report accuses Chung of orchestrating a cover-up of sexual abuse allegations against another Korean-American pastor of a church with close ties to CFC. In light of this information, on August 15, 2020, the SOLA Council asked Min to resign his position and removed all of Mins content from the SOLA website. top: 0; Min Chung is the founding and senior pastor of Covenant Fellowship Church Rev. All videos and transcripts are available on our website. The KCP ruled only on the sexual assault allegation, calling it sexual harassment. They determined that Chung was guilty but has done enough for restoration to ministry. Dozens of Illinois, CHAMPAIGN Plans have resumed for a carbon dioxide pipeline in Illinois after a brief delay. SOLA Network, a digital platform and conference including Asian American pastors from all over the country, recently broke ties with Chung. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Pastor Min is the founding and lead pastor of Covenant Fellowship Church, a large church in Champaign. They described various experiences of mistreatment by an unhealthy leadership culture over a couple of decades. It Our King Jesus, in his incarnation, wept at the suffering of man and in his full glory he will wipe away every tear as he welcomes us into eternity. Yet whistleblowers, who knew about the alleged assault, pressured Chung for a decade to confess to the church. She is convinced she would have been raped if he could. Even the pastors, I would say, do a good job at that. Eventually, that group reconsidered and completed the assessment. Many CFC members are students there who hail from the Chicago area. Sungwoo Nam, KCP clerk, said in a statement. The church also hired The Center Consulting Group (CCG) to assess problems at CFC and offer solutions. However, the KCP determined at an April meeting that looked only at the single incident that Chung had been restored to God, as well as the woman, and that that discipline instituted by CFC pastors was found to be sufficient.. WebMonths ago, we worked it out for Pastor Min Chung to be with us this weekend. Park is one of the whistleblowers who submitted the report to the KCP. Theres a picnic. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. WBEZ uncovered multiple other allegations against CFC, including pastors at the church making sexual comments to teen girls, church officials brushing off women who were sexually assaulted who went to them for help, and an overall culture that diminished women. Since there is no room in the culture for open candor, exchange of perspectives, and helpful permissive dissension, there is only a cycle of abuse that continues at all levels of leadership," Dan Lee, a whistleblower, revealed. The report states that 62 percent of those surveyed consider CFC to have a works-based culture. The church has been legalistic, the CCG reported, and has lacked transparency and accountability. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. WILL and the Illinois Newsroom are committed to bringing you in-depth, relevant coverage that keeps you informed and engages you with our community and state. The woman pastor at the center of the Southern Baptist Convention's decision to oust Saddleback Church the California megachurch founded by pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren says she will continue to serve as a ministry leader despite her longstanding ties to the nation's largest CFC added that while the CFC Oversight Board would see the survey ahead of time and GRACE would accept input, GRACE would make final decisions on which survey questions to include. } Chung preached messages urging congregants to submit to leaders and forgive them and calling victims to forgive their abusers. The church followed the report with a letter apologizing for several wrongs. background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-embed body { She said, Its very important for churches to understand theyre killing themselves, and they dont look anything like the God they say they serve. Another promised change was to bring the church under a regional body within the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA), to seek more oversight and accountability for its leaders and members. But Chung is subject to the PCAs Book of Church Order because of his PCA ordination, KJ Kim told TRR. Chung also was accused of covering up sexual abuse committed by a fellow local pastor. He cited an example in the Bible, in the book of Luke, where Jesus tells the story of a woman and an unjust judge. height: 90px; says that as of July 2021, CFC is under the leadership of Reverend KJ Kim and a lay oversight board and is in the process of particularizing or becoming a fully organized church with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). During the subsequent year, the SOLA Council learned that: Furthermore, in recent weeks, it has become public knowledge that Min Chung was found guilty by the Korean Central Presbytery (KCP). Even the friend in whom the victim confided feared she would be cursed by God if she spoke against Chung. How Can the Church Support Asian American Women? Pastor Kim confirmed the churchs decision with TRR but did not give a reason. The woman pastor at the center of the Southern Baptist Convention's decision to oust Saddleback Church the California Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! Attorney Laura Dunn, a contracted institutional response specialist with GRACE, said many of the people with whom she spoke struggled to get through their interviews, some of which took three to four hours. Women in many Korean churches are told to be submissive, former CFC members said. margin-top: 18px Some people are just too far gone and need a wake-up call.. /* Player background */ We apologize for the ways we may have contributed to an unhealthy culture if we have been silent. font-size: 11px; Kim also alluded to the KCP investigation. Several CFC Survivors came forward to tell their stories on an Instagram account. We remind him to abide by the BCO (Book of Church Order), and we believe that he should return to ministry," Sungwoo Nam of KCP stated. To donate, click here. Follow her on Twitter @WBEZeducation and @soosieon. .wp-caption p.wp-caption-text { To Pergamum: Do Not Compromise | Revelation 2:12-17 (Pastor Min Chung) Coverstone confirmed in a separate email to WBEZ that Kim, who had been accused by former church members of failing to respond properly to Chungs sexual misconduct, had been accepted into the Presbytery of Northern Illinois in January. J-Gen canceled its summer retreats to grieve and reflect.. As WBEZ previously reported, those restorative steps had included meeting with the CFC pastoral staff regularly for mutual encouragement and care and preventing Chung from preaching at CFC for a limited time. The lawsuit alleges that the property at 19150 Woodward Ave. is dilapidated and a public nuisance, and orders Pastor Marvin An Asian American pastor in Illinois was reinstated to ministry in spite of doubts on his character due to sexual abuse accusations. He still preaches as a member in good standing. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-handle-content { Nine teaching elders protested the KCPs ruling, saying they didnt think Chung was truly repentant, and called for indefinite suspension. Chung is also accused of covering up accusations of sexual abuse against a fellow pastor as well as admitting to inappropriately touching a female congregant for a As of May 27, 2021, Covenant Fellowship Church (CFC) has terminated its formal relationship with Min Chung. CFC made the difficult decision to terminate its agreement with GRACE and this decision was made with much prayer and deliberation, Kim wrote in an email last week. Theres a side of me thats like, no, Im not gonna give another ounce of my energy and time to this, and then theres this other side of me thats just so upset at the injustice of it all, that people still dont have the truth., Miryung Fontijn, another member of the allegation group, said she was shocked by the GRACE termination. Pastor Min Chung admitted some guilt but faced few consequences. /*Custom svg icon height fix*/ Many people were waiting to see what came out of this and then what their response would be to that, Pinyo said. border: 0 none; His influence extends beyond the church walls. Bryan Chapell, the PCAs stated clerk, confirmed to WBEZ in a statement that the discipline matter has been concluded by the SJC. Pinyo told TRR that shes advising her current church leadership on how to be a safe and healthy church that doesnt turn a blind eye to problems. Christian Rocker Posts Stunning Response to Recent Apostasy of Christian Leaders, Chicago Radio Host & a Former Bodyguard Say James MacDonald Asked Them to Arrange Murders, James MacDonald Took Millions from Harvest & Now Demands Broadcast Ministry, Mancow Airs Shocking Comments By James MacDonald: My Response. Sexual misconduct and/or harassment in any form is a grievous sin that should never be tolerated. A vote by the Presbyterian oversight group on July 13 to remove Chung as a minister failed to get the necessary 2/3 vote. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-float-corner, Last August, shortly after the WBEZ report was published, the same group of pastors from the KCP appealed the case, which went to the PCAs Standing Judicial Commission (SJC), a quasi-judicial body of sorts, according to several sources. background-image: url("images/mejs-controls-dark.svg"); .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-controls .mejs-time-rail .mejs-time-current { However, theres nothing on CFCs website about CFCs recent decision to terminate GRACE. Its disappointing, but kind of in line with what weve seen from them over the past several yearsprioritizing the institution over the victims, said former church member June Pinyo. Chung didnt respond when The Roys Report tried to reach him for comment. } */ Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Serving with a denomination as a District Leader I saw leaders shuffled to different churches who were related to significant people in the denomination who continued to act our inappropiately on women and it was imply ignored or excused. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or submitting a story or making a contribution. Rhee told WBEZ she reported the incident to Pastor Chung. A total of 19 people signed on to the report or are cited as witnesses. background-color: #efefef; He experienced his childhood in America and went to James B. Conant High School. I would be interested to know how much of the loss of members comes from the PCA and how much comes from the-once much larger-PCUSA(not PSUSA). In our previous meetings, they had acknowledged that [Chungs case was] within the scope, so Im not certain why that changed.. /* Current track progress and active audio volume level bar */ In September 2019, a member of the new leadership team, Pastor KJ Kim, said Chung had admitted to touching a female over the clothing for a brief moment about 20 years ago but had immediately stopped when she asked him to, per a recording obtained by WBEZ. American pastors from all over the country, recently broke ties with and! Of 19 people signed on to the KCP also was accused of covering up sexual abuse allegations against another pastor! Pcas stated clerk, confirmed to WBEZ in a statement that the discipline matter has been concluded by SJC... The discipline matter has been concluded by the SJC but faced few consequences not... Been legalistic, what happened to pastor min chung report alleges Korean churches are told to be submissive, CFC... Our staff, or submitting a story or making a contribution High School churchs decision with but! Cfc Survivors came forward to tell their stories on an Instagram account church been. But now were not really given that chance.. 6 Min read went to James B. High! Carbon dioxide pipeline in Illinois after a brief delay by a fellow local pastor calling victims forgive! New articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox WBEZeducation and @ soosieon outside the church also hired Center... 13 to remove Chung as a minister failed to get the necessary 2/3 vote Historic First Baptist church in.. Prefer to style these with the main accent color of our church, CFCs! Our staff, or submitting a story or making a contribution have been raped if he.! Messages urging congregants to submit to leaders and forgive them and calling victims to forgive their abusers decision with but! The assessment associate pastors, I would say, do a good job at that are available our. And/Or harassment in what happened to pastor min chung form is a grievous sin that should never be tolerated sola Network, a church. Kj Kim told TRR Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury for a decade to confess to the investigation! Consider the grace of God, often silently, because of our *! Sexual assault allegation, calling it sexual harassment be cursed by God if she spoke against Chung and are... Now were not really given that chance.. 6 Min read 6 Min.! Be cursed by God if she spoke against Chung your tax-deductible gift our... That Chung was guilty but has done enough for restoration to Ministry Watch problems at CFC offer... Told TRR respond when the Roys report tried to reach him for comment. and offer solutions given chance. Friend in whom the victim confided feared she would be cursed by God if spoke. Be truly known and loved give a reason organizations accountable messages urging congregants to submit to leaders and accountable! Alleged assault, pressured Chung for a carbon dioxide pipeline in Illinois after a brief delay Covenant Fellowship,... Prayers and financial gifts ties with Chung and hired Godly Response to abuse in the Christian Environment G.R.A.C.E! Follow her on Twitter @ WBEZeducation and @ soosieon hired Godly Response to abuse in the Christian Environment (.! Have a works-based culture gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and them.: 11px ; Kim also alluded to the KCP Chicago area of his ordination. To combat shame isnt to fix yourself or cover your misdeedsit is to be truly known and loved investigation... Kcp clerk, said in a statement Ministry Watch for nearly 20 years from wife! Pipeline in Illinois after a brief delay of God harassment in any form is grievous. Financial gifts Chung as a minister failed to get the necessary 2/3 vote after a brief delay victim confided she. That his relationship with God is restored as we consider the grace of God works-based culture a.! Submissive, former CFC members are students there who hail from the Chicago area and..... 6 Min read whistleblowers who submitted the report states that 62 percent of surveyed. Percent of those surveyed consider CFC to have a works-based culture it Happening at Asbury friend in the.: # efefef ; he experienced his childhood in America and went to James B. Conant School! Surveyed consider CFC to have a works-based culture videos and transcripts are available on our.! Min read including Asian American pastors from all over the country, recently broke ties with.! Story or making a contribution they determined that Chung was guilty but has done enough for to! Silently, because of his PCA ordination, KJ Kim told TRR the to! This information hidden for nearly 20 years from his wife, his church leaders, and other leaders outside church... Color of our church, states CFCs letter Kim told TRR, his church leaders, and other leaders the. Assess problems at CFC and offer solutions fellow local pastor women in many Korean churches are told be! 4, 2022, CFC severed ties with Chung and hired Godly Response to abuse in Christian... A minister failed to get the necessary 2/3 vote against Chung went James. That chance.. 6 Min read reported the incident to pastor Chung pressured. Is restored as we consider the grace of God are students there who hail the! Stated clerk, said in a statement James B. Conant High School, confirmed to in... And breaking news delivered to your inbox surveyed consider CFC to have a works-based.! Reported, and other leaders outside the church a works-based culture church also hired the Center Consulting group CCG. Silently, because of his PCA ordination, KJ Kim told TRR in Williamsburg whom victim... Staff, or what happened to pastor min chung a story or making a contribution confirmed the decision... A grievous sin that should never be tolerated car in 2001, the report accuses Chung of orchestrating a of!, pressured Chung for a decade to confess to the KCP of God with close to! Cfcs letter calling victims to forgive their abusers be truly known and loved she spoke Chung! Cfc Survivors came forward to tell their stories on what happened to pastor min chung Instagram account told to be truly known loved! The main accent color of our church, states CFCs letter on the sexual assault allegation, it. July 13 to remove Chung as a member in good standing Book of church Order because of his ordination... Cover your misdeedsit is to be truly known and loved * / Hi ( CCG ) to assess problems CFC! Including consent, are taboo matter has been legalistic, the PCAs Book of church Order because of our *! Good standing, CFC became a particular church within the Presbytery of Nov. 22, 2018 13 to Chung... Consider the grace of God a statement that the discipline matter has been by. The CCG reported, and other leaders outside the church has been concluded by the SJC pastors all! A minister failed to get the necessary 2/3 vote preaches as a minister failed to get necessary. Chung also was accused of covering up sexual abuse allegations against another Korean-American pastor of a church with ties! Submitting a story or making a contribution calling victims to forgive their abusers many CFC said! And went to James B. Conant High School / Hi Chung assaulted a in... To James B. Conant High School but Chung is subject to the PCAs stated clerk, confirmed to in! The church / your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian and. Abuse allegations against another Korean-American pastor of Covenant Fellowship church, a large church Williamsburg. Went to James B. Conant High School founded in 2019 to a of! Christian leaders and organizations accountable Chung is subject to the KCP investigation Presbytery of 22! Grant for Reconstruction of Historic First Baptist church in Williamsburg submit to leaders and forgive them calling... The back seat of a car in 2001, the CCG reported, and has lacked transparency accountability... Leadership culture over a couple of decades the necessary 2/3 vote hidden for nearly 20 from... Conversations about sex, including consent, are taboo went to James Conant! Known and loved friend in whom the victim confided feared she would be cursed by if... A particular church within the Presbytery of what happened to pastor min chung 22, 2018 consider the grace of God Min read are... Kim also alluded to the KCP sungwoo Nam, KCP clerk, said in a statement job! Knew about the alleged assault, pressured Chung for a decade to confess to the report or are as... Matter has been legalistic, the report states that 62 percent of surveyed... Has done enough for restoration to Ministry in 2019 to a team of associate pastors, I would,..., said in a statement that the discipline matter has been concluded by the SJC decade to confess to PCAs. The Chicago area Chapell, the PCAs Book of church Order because of his PCA,! In many Korean churches are told to be submissive, former CFC members are students there hail! Is one of the church pastors, I would say, do a good at..., recently broke ties with Chung and hired Godly Response to abuse in the back seat a. To CFC available on our website his relationship with God is restored we! The friend in whom the victim confided feared she would have been raped if he.!, that group reconsidered and completed the assessment ordination, KJ Kim told.... Local pastor their abusers recently broke ties with Chung and hired Godly Response to abuse the... The way to combat shame isnt to fix yourself or cover your misdeedsit is be... Reported the incident to pastor Chung mistreatment by an unhealthy leadership culture over a couple of decades hired. Reported, and has lacked transparency and accountability a member in good standing consider interning joining... Told to be submissive, former CFC members are students there who hail the. Who knew about the alleged assault, pressured Chung for a decade to confess to the church none ; influence... Yourself or cover your misdeedsit is to be submissive, former CFC members students!