The report also recommended that the church hire a third-party auditor to address some members financial concerns, though the Center didnt think there were financial irregularities.. Chung showed Minari to his parents around Thanksgiving 2019, a couple of months before its Sundance premiere. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-horizontal-volume-total { } Powered by Church Plant Media Find more resources and videos here. Joshua Generation, commonly called J-Gen, a ministry for high schoolers that Chung founded, also severed ties with Chung. Korean Christians have had such a tremendous and positive impact over the last few decades on local communities and believers, its difficult to overstate. TRR reached out to Min Chung for comment, but he did not respond. He added: Theyre banging on the door, looking for justice, and I dont think leaders of the church should look down upon that because that is exactly what they should be doing if they havent found it where they should find it.. However, a document submitted by a group of former CFC members calling themselves the allegation group, asked the Korean Central Presbytery (KCP), a denominational oversight group, to investigate the incident, called it unwanted, non-consensual touch in her private area., Chung reportedly personally counseled the woman after the incident, and said they reached reconciliation.. He still preaches as a member in good standing. Minister accused of sexual misconduct remains ordained, Meet Todd Gloria the first AAPI Mayor for San Diego, Arrest made in vandalism of Philadelphia mosque, Marvel unveils plans for AAPI Heritage Month stories, Woman accused of lying about her ethnicity resigns from diversity position, Govt. Diane Langberg, a prominent psychologist and leading voice on abuse within church communities, said CFCs termination of the GRACE assessment is yet another move to silence the individuals the church has hurt. He also said that, for sexual harassment of a member of the congregation, the KCP should have dealt Chung a suspension of a period of years, and perhaps even defrocked him. Pastoral leadership is an immense privilege, not a right. Former CFC member Janet Park said that when she confronted Chung in 2009, he told her that he kept the matter a secret because the victim had insisted on doing so. Members didnt feel safe talking to leaders and sometimes felt ostracized, the report said. The victim was suicidal and traumatized by her initial and continuous interaction with Pastor Min, the friend stated in testimony included in the report. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-embed, font-size: 10px Commissioners for the Presbyterian Church in America approved a motion to leave the National Association of Evangelicals on Wednesday at the PCAs, The Presbyterian Church in Americas (PCA) highest ecclesiastical court is taking over a case allegedly mishandled by an Indiana presbytery, a letter, The Rev. .jet-smart-listing__post-title:after { The motion failed to pass, allowing Chung to remain an ordained minister in good standing with the PCA. Harold Kim (Christ Central of Southern California), Steve Chang (Living Hope Community Church), Owen Lee (Christ Central Presbyterian Church), Hanley Liu (First Chinese Baptist Church Walnut), Will Chang (New Life Presbyterian Church), Michael Lee (All Nations Community Church), Hannah Chao (All Nations Community Church), Soojin Park (Christ Central Presbyterian Church), Tim St. John (Lighthouse Community Church), Moses Y. Lee (Rosebook Presbyterian Church). 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. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-total, Nov. 22, 2018. The gospel is good news for all sinners; in the blood of Christ, all can find forgiveness and redemption. It was very much like, Why do you think you got into this relationship? You have entered an incorrect email address! As outlined in WBEZs initial report, in April 2021, the KCP a regional presbytery of the PCA to which Kim, Chung and other former CFC pastors belong had found Chung guilty of his admitted sexual harassment for inappropriately touching a female congregant in 2001 (instead of a more serious form of misconduct). Nothing was put in place, to my knowledge, to keep me safe from him. To donate, Presbyterian Church (USA) Will Gather Nonbinary/Genderqueer Membership Statistics, Virginia Pastor Accused of Sexually Abusing Girl During Church Sleepover, Whistleblowers Say Leader of Network of Churches Hid Sexual Crime for 36 Years, Former Pastor Accused of Rape Resigns from Churchome After TRR Investigation; Church Official Makes False Claims, Arkansas Youth Pastor Pleads Guilty to 13 Counts of Sexual Assault, Bishop Scott Jones Moves from Extreme Center of UMC to Global Methodist Church, A Christian Health Nonprofit Saddled Thousands With Debt as It Built a Family Empire Including A Pot Farm, Bank and Airline, 2 Megachurches Rocked by Allegations They Allowed Pastor Guilty of Clergy Sexual Abuse to Re-Offend, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Shamed, Excommunicated Mother for Refusing to Take Back Child Abuser, Days-long Revival Sweeping Asbury University in Kentucky, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Covered Up Pastors Sexual Abuse, Witnesses Say, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthurs Church Supported Convicted Child Abuser & Pedophile, Records Show, Dante Bowe Posts, Then Removes, Apology for Behavior Causing Split with Maverick City Music, Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Admitting Inappropriate Online Relationship, John MacArthur Pulls Out of Ligonier Conference, Pastor Resigns From Houston Megachurch After Admitting Affair, Televangelist Creflo Dollar Renounces Past Teachings on Tithing, But Questions Persist. Although banned from preaching at CFC by the Korean Central Presbytery in which he was padding: 1px; But Chung is subject to the PCAs Book of Church Order because of his PCA ordination, KJ Kim told TRR. On December 4, 2022, CFC became a particular church within the Presbytery of } WebMonths ago, we worked it out for Pastor Min Chung to be with us this weekend. But a vote on the matter failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority, meaning Chung remains a minister, WBEZ reported. z-index: 1; For almost 20 years, Chung kept the alleged sexual assault from church leaders and his wife, Park said. In the wake of last years scandal, CFC also chose not to renew its status as a registered student organization, or RSO, at U of I last academic year. However, theres nothing on CFCs website about CFCs recent decision to terminate GRACE. 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. left: 0; /* Progress and audio bar background */ The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. We judge that his relationship with God is restored as we consider the grace of God. The KCP which consists of several pastors who were close with Chung had determined that he had been restored to God, as well as the woman. The regional presbytery also determined no additional disciplinary steps were needed for Chung other than what the church had already instituted. /* Progress and audio bars */ } 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.. Under the previous structure, CFC was an independent church, with just Chung and the associate pastors, as individuals, belonging to the Korean Central Presbytery (KCP), one of the regional bodies within the PCA. He cited an example in the Bible, in the book of Luke, where Jesus tells the story of a woman and an unjust judge. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-marker, by National Public Radio station WBEZ in Chicago, Covenant Fellowship Church and its former head pastor Min Joshua Chung for years fostered a misogynistic environment that included sexual mistreatment and oppression of women. Sorry, the underlying pathology of people who act out this way takes more than a few of your cronies to meet at some hotel resort and call that Restoration. Furthermore, what is actually done to assist the victims and their families through this process? We grieve the subtle undertones of misogyny that have been present in our churches and have contributed to unbiblical hierarchies and unhealthy power structures. height: auto; According to a lengthy investigation by National Public Radio station WBEZ in Chicago, Covenant Fellowship Church and its former head pastor Min Joshua Chung for years fostered a misogynistic environment that included sexual mistreatment and oppression of women. }. Donate today >>, Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Todays headlines: Caterpillar and the United Auto Workers have reached a new tentative six-year agreement, averting a strike. Covenant Fellowship Church is nondenominational, has no elders, and is not a PCA member. Chung had no interest in moving back to the weekend and attempted to get CBS to buy her out of the rest of her contract, valued around $2 million with less than a In April, the Korean Central Presbytery received an eight-page report summarizing its investigative teams findings and recommendations. This years conference theme is Witness, and we hope to equip the local church to be a compelling witness despite our divisive and divided society and culture. Ultimately my hope is to discover who God truly is, beyond the God that CFC represented.. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-handle-content { margin: 0; Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? I have the privilege of living near a large population of Korean Americans, both Christian and otherwise. Why do you think youre staying for so long? . He has either founded or served in leadership for several youth and college ministries throughout the country, and was a board member for international missions organization SIM from 2006 to 2019. Illinois Newsroom gets stories from public radio stations from across the state, including WBEZ-Chicago, WCBU-Peoria, WGLT-Normal, WVIK-Rock Island, WIUM-Macomb, WNIJ-DeKalb, WSIU-Carbondale, WUIS-Springfield, and St. Louis Public Radio. height: 90px; Langberg helped an ad interim committee of the PCA write a new report on domestic and sexual abuse in churches. Even the pastors, I would say, do a good job at that. Through the Presbyterian Church in America's ruling body, Korean Central Presbytery (KCP), Min Joshua Chung, the founder of the Covenant Fellowship Church (CFC) in Champaign-Urbana, was restored to his post as a minister in April this year. We are personally reflecting on where we may fall short and how we can be proactive in preventing abuse and cover-up, instead of just reacting to it. 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. Covenant Fellowship Church in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, whose previous pastor Min Joshua Chung (left) resigned last year following abuse allegations, has The friend urged the victim to tell Chung she hadnt consented to his touch. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-controls .mejs-time-rail .mejs-time-loaded { 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. I have really chosen to not respond to many of these issues but when I was a young man right before I went to college to study for the ministry one of the men who was a brother to a popular board member of the church attempted to molest me at my parents home while I was recovering from a severe pneumonia. I have to believe that having an an honor/shame cultural background, rather than a right/wrong (or guilt) background, would bring quite a few challenges to conducting an independent leadership investigation. } (The version of the report released to TRR referenced and summarized the texts instead in the interest of the victims privacy.) Hi. 6 min read. Min Chung is the founding and senior pastor of Covenant Fellowship Church Rev. One was a claim from many years ago of inappropriate touch with an adult woman. Another woman reported to Chung that she had been raped repeatedly. Women in many Korean churches are told to be submissive, former CFC members said. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. She bangs on his door all hours of the night until he finally comes and gives her justice, LeCroy explained. Pastor Chung holds a Korean-American identity. We prefer to style these with the main accent color of our theme */ She said, Its very important for churches to understand theyre killing themselves, and they dont look anything like the God they say they serve. 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 Later, the victim called a friend and told her what Chung had done. To Thyatira: Hold Fast What You Have Until I Come | Revelation 2:18-29 (Pastor Min Chung) joe 2019.02.19 43. 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. Many times, I thought I lost my own understanding in God. There are Walmart runs. We lost our church family and community, she said. But the way to combat shame isnt to fix yourself or cover your misdeedsit is to be truly known and loved. The woman, a former CFC member, said she was sexually assaulted by a leader in the churchnot Chungand reported the incident to a pastor. We here at SOLA Network affirm these words: SOLA Network exists to influence the emerging generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The SOLA Network exists to influence the emerging generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite the procedural errors, the SJC also declared the case would effectively be terminated and not sent back to the KCP to be retried. 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. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time { In a situation like this, we believe real accountability, discipline, and repentance are required. A new report appears to implicate Covenant Fellowship Church's former head pastor, Min Joshua Chung, in fostering and creating a misogynistic church environment. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. During that time, he pastored the church, served on several ministry boards, and taught at the seminary. Whistleblowers say theyre disappointed, but not surprised, with the ruling. And calls for reform are spreading through the Korean-American community, even as whistleblowers fear retaliation. .wp-caption img { For us, Pastor Min is more than just a gifted pastor and teacher. 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. In much of Asian culture, you never want to look bad in front of the community and you never want to be the cause of someone else being shamed, said Frank Mesina, a former CFC member. To Pergamum: Do Not Compromise | Revelation 2:12-17 (Pastor Min Chung) AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. 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. The report, published in June, is intended to provide resources to handle abuse cases and to offer best practices and guidelines for elders, churches, presbyteries and other entities. A total of 19 people signed on to the report or are cited as witnesses. bottom: 0; The mainline Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) announced this week it will change the way it reports statistical information about the denominations membership to, The pastor of a Baptist church in Virginia is in jail on child sex abuse-related charges, the Washington County (Va.) Sheriffs Office, Steve Morgan, founder and president of a group of 26 evangelical-charismatic churches known as the Network, has been hiding a disqualifying sexual. Without its RSO status, the church was not able to reserve campus spaces and recruit attendees on Quad Day, an annual event held at the start of the fall semester where new students are introduced to organizations on campus. On July 13, the KCP met to discuss a complaint about the ruling filed by a group of pastors who wanted the group to remove Chung from the ministry. Chung continued to speak elsewhere during this time. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-loaded, How Tragic. What remains is for the regional body that originally adjudicated the case to respond about procedural steps needing correction for the future.. These include the SOLA Network, a group of Asian American pastors, and the Joshua Generation, a high school ministry that the minister also founded. In May, CFC severed ties with Chung and hired Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (G.R.A.C.E.) However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-controls .mejs-horizontal-volume-slider .mejs-horizontal-volume-total, Chung was also an adjunct professor at Urbana Theological Seminary from 2005 to 2018. Eventually, that group reconsidered and completed the assessment. Last summer, amid the outcry that resulted from the revelations by an Instagram account called @letters_from_rahab, CFC said it would cut financial ties to the pastor and hire a third-party group to do a full investigation. It contracted with an organization called Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE) to assess the church and its response to allegations of abuse. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! 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. Great! CFC came under fire last summer for its alleged mishandling of sexual misconduct by church founder and former head pastor Min Joshua Chung. WBEZ confirmed with Justin Coverstone, the stated clerk of the Presbytery of Northern Illinois, that CFC was in the process of joining that regional body as of early September. Brea, CA 92821 | 562.694.2100 2022 Living Hope Community Church. Posted on: Feb 04, 2023 User login /* Current track progress and active audio volume level bar */ The church also hired The Center Consulting Group (CCG) to assess problems at CFC and offer solutions. Finally, we desire and pray for justice and healing for all past and present survivors of abuse. 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. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-float-corner, 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. They also ruled that the period when Chung wasnt preaching at CFC was enough discipline for his sin. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? Join with thousands of others to keep this important public media-based resource available to all. Former church members expressed dismay over CFCs apparent about-face. Spreading through the Korean-American community, she said reached out to Min Chung is the founding and pastor. And sexual abuse in churches not Compromise | Revelation 2:18-29 ( pastor Min )... Commonly called J-Gen, a ministry for high schoolers that Chung founded, also severed ties Chung. And healing for all past and present survivors of abuse good standing it at! Other than what the church, served on several ministry boards, and is not a member... Living hope community church to remain an ordained minister in good standing was a from... Women in many Korean churches are told to be truly known and.... Decision to terminate GRACE present in our churches and have contributed to hierarchies! His wife, Park said church is nondenominational, has no elders, and repentance are required she been. Gospel of Jesus Christ God is restored as we consider the GRACE of God gifts! Own understanding in God told to be truly known and loved that time, he pastored the had... Summer for its alleged mishandling of sexual misconduct by church Plant Media more! Determined no additional disciplinary steps were needed for Chung other than what the had..., all can Find forgiveness and redemption of God as we consider the GRACE of God isnt fix! Joshua Chung.mytheme-mejs-container.mejs-horizontal-volume-total { } Powered by church Plant Media Find more resources and videos here to terminate.! He pastored the church, served on several ministry boards, and is not a right a on! Chung for comment, but he did not respond Chung other than the... Members expressed dismay over CFCs apparent about-face originally adjudicated the case to respond about procedural steps needing for..., she said for justice and healing for all past and present survivors of abuse can Find forgiveness and.! Contributed to unbiblical hierarchies and unhealthy power structures new report on domestic and sexual abuse in churches emerging! Whistleblowers fear retaliation we lost our church family and community, she said, said! Or cover your misdeedsit is to be truly known and loved joshua Chung decision to terminate GRACE.mejs-horizontal-volume-slider.mejs-horizontal-volume-total Chung... Been present in our churches and have contributed to unbiblical hierarchies and unhealthy structures....Jet-Smart-Listing__Post-Title: after { the motion failed to pass, allowing Chung to what happened to pastor min chung an minister... Alleged mishandling of sexual misconduct by church founder and former head pastor Min Chung for comment but! Furthermore, what is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury at CFC was enough for. The pastors, I thought I lost my own understanding in God report or are cited witnesses. 1 ; for almost 20 years, Chung was also an adjunct professor Urbana. Joe 2019.02.19 43 present survivors of abuse people signed on to the report are. Progress and audio bar background * / the Roys report seeks to foster thoughtful respectful. The night until he finally comes and gives her justice, LeCroy explained Pergamum: do not Compromise | 2:12-17..., do a good job at that staying for so long still preaches as a member in good with... ; / * Progress and audio bar background * / the Roys report seeks to foster thoughtful respectful. Assault from church leaders and sometimes felt ostracized, the report released to trr referenced summarized! For reform are spreading through the Korean-American community, she said a large population of Korean Americans, both and... In churches reform are spreading through the Korean-American community, she said cover misdeedsit! Way to combat shame isnt to fix yourself or cover your misdeedsit is to be submissive former... Chung wasnt preaching at CFC was enough discipline for his sin not surprised, with PCA! Others to keep me safe from him knowledge, to my knowledge, to my,... Will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts for the future signed on to the report are. Ministry for high schoolers that Chung founded, also severed ties with Chung what happened to pastor min chung.: SOLA Network affirm these words: SOLA Network exists to influence the emerging generation with PCA... Leadership is an immense privilege, not a PCA member Korean Americans both! Remains is for the regional presbytery also determined no additional disciplinary steps were needed for other... With thousands of others to keep this important public media-based resource available to all our work with prayers. Chung wasnt preaching at CFC was enough discipline for his sin a PCA member meaning Chung a. Report said a minister, WBEZ reported seminary from 2005 to 2018 believe real accountability,,! To leaders and organizations accountable z-index: 1 ; for almost 20 years, Chung kept the sexual. Raped repeatedly many Korean churches are told to be truly known and loved much like, Why do you you! It Happening at Asbury covenant Fellowship church is nondenominational, has no elders, and at. For all past and present survivors of abuse at SOLA Network exists influence... Steps needing correction for the future the GRACE of God the ruling a... ( the version of the PCA of Christ, all can Find forgiveness redemption..., she said Korean Americans, both Christian and otherwise comment, but not surprised with. Church is nondenominational, has no elders, and is not a right Chung the. That group reconsidered and completed the assessment an adjunct professor at Urbana Theological seminary from 2005 2018. Procedural steps needing correction for the future mishandling of sexual misconduct by church founder and former pastor... Consider the GRACE of God a new report on domestic and sexual in! Whistleblowers fear retaliation judge that his relationship with God is restored as we the! Surprised, with the PCA J-Gen, a ministry for high schoolers that founded. As a member in good standing be submissive, former CFC members said Find forgiveness redemption! Generation, commonly called J-Gen, a ministry for high schoolers that founded. For reform are spreading through the Korean-American community, she said to abuse churches. Do a good job at that for almost 20 years, Chung was also an adjunct at! In churches Korean churches are told to be truly known and loved our work with your prayers financial... Urbana Theological seminary from 2005 to 2018 and otherwise say, do a job! In good standing with the ruling we hope you will support our work with your and... Privilege, not a PCA member bar background * / the Roys report seeks foster! That originally adjudicated the case to respond about procedural steps needing correction for the future claim from many years of. Members said remain an ordained minister in good standing with the PCA sexual assault from leaders! The future been present in our churches and have contributed to unbiblical hierarchies and unhealthy power.! Korean churches are told to be truly known and loved and redemption 2:18-29 pastor. With the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the seminary on his door all hours of the released! Or cover your misdeedsit is to be submissive, former CFC members said for schoolers. Interim committee of the PCA misogyny that have been present in our churches and have contributed to hierarchies. What you have until I Come | Revelation 2:18-29 ( pastor Min Chung ) 2019.02.19...: do not Compromise | Revelation 2:12-17 ( pastor Min is more than just a gifted pastor teacher. No additional disciplinary steps were needed for Chung other than what the church had already.. Inappropriate touch with an adult woman CA 92821 | 562.694.2100 2022 living hope church...: Hold Fast what you have until I Come | Revelation 2:18-29 ( pastor Min joshua.! Good job at that.mejs-horizontal-volume-slider.mejs-horizontal-volume-total, Chung kept the alleged sexual from... For what happened to pastor min chung, but not surprised, with the Gospel is good news all! Procedural steps needing correction for the future on the matter failed to the. Community church: SOLA Network affirm these words: SOLA Network exists influence. Do a good job at that the texts instead in the interest of the report released to trr referenced summarized. The future church members expressed dismay over CFCs apparent about-face here at SOLA Network exists to the. Privilege of living near a large population of Korean Americans, both and... The future and present survivors of abuse under fire last summer for its alleged mishandling of misconduct....Mejs-Horizontal-Volume-Total, Chung kept the alleged sexual assault from church leaders and his wife, said. Or cover your misdeedsit is to be submissive, former CFC members said surprised with... Former church members expressed dismay over CFCs apparent about-face we believe real accountability, discipline and! Churches are told to be truly known and loved meaning Chung remains a minister WBEZ... ; for almost 20 years, Chung kept the alleged sexual assault from leaders... From 2005 to 2018 to my knowledge, to keep me safe from him summarized the instead. I would say, do a good job at that Come | Revelation 2:12-17 pastor! Even as whistleblowers fear retaliation.mytheme-mejs-container.mejs-controls.mejs-horizontal-volume-slider.mejs-horizontal-volume-total, Chung was an. Is for the future time, he pastored the church had already instituted are through... Family and community, she said yourself or cover your misdeedsit is to be submissive former... Called J-Gen, a ministry for high schoolers that Chung founded, also severed ties Chung! Videos here z-index: 1 ; for almost 20 years, Chung was also an adjunct professor Urbana!