Anne Stych is a writer in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sources, including Singer, told WBEZ that CFC was concerned the information-gathering process was biased and that it dug too much into Chungs case, which the church deemed outside the scope of the assessment. Sungwoo Nam, KCP clerk, said in a statement. Join with thousands of others to keep this important public media-based resource available to all. We know this may cause pain for many people, and we deeply regret that CFC has chosen this path.. The sermon was maligned by many Protestants and praised by many Catholics, 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. border: 0 none; 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. While this was happening, the report states, Chung was exercising nearly Godlike authority to pressure his victim and various others whod learned about the incident to stay silent. 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. /* .jet-smart-listing__featured-box-link:before { At that meeting, however, the KCP instead considered a motion to rescind the April 2021 judgment and to hold a retrial, according to a July 15, 2021, statement from the presbytery. He added that the Book of Church Order wasnt designed to protect victims of abuse, and that the PCA should consider amendments to the book to help make the judicial process less cumbersome for lay members. A Presbyterian oversight group has determined that the former head pastor of a Korean church near the Champaign-Urbana campus of the University of Illinois can remain an ordained minister despite allegations of sexual misconduct against him and his church. The timing of thisso close to the finish of the assessmenthas raised a lot of questions and suspicion among former members, said Pinyo. But TRR said that the ruling may still be appealed to the Standing Judicial Commission of the PCA's General Assembly. Experts say the scandal and subsequent backsliding at CFC illustrates how many churches and their governing bodies are ill-equipped to address allegations of abuse. Especially in the Korean community, to call out a pastor, youre going against God-given authority.. 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. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-buffering, .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-controls, Find more resources and videos here. It was very much like, Why do you think you got into this relationship? } It also alleges that Chung urged a woman not to go to police when she sought his counsel after being sexually assaulted by another church member. It is interesting the there were 5-6 million Presbyterians in the 1960s the number now is down to paltry 1.5 Presbyterians in the U.S. 1 Million Liberal (PSUSA) Sexual misconduct and/or harassment in any form is a grievous sin that should never be tolerated. I really did not see this coming, she said. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-float-current, Another woman reported to Chung that she had been raped repeatedly. 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 motion to rescind the KCP decision needed a two-thirds vote in favor. Bryan Chapell, the PCAs stated clerk, confirmed to WBEZ in a statement that the discipline matter has been concluded by the SJC. He kept this information hidden for nearly 20 years from his wife, his church leaders, and other leaders outside the church. Several CFC Survivors came forward to tell their stories on an Instagram account, @letters_from_rahab. A few months later, a group of pastors dissatisfied with the presbyterys April 2021 determination filed a complaint in an effort to indefinitely suspend Chung from ministry. .elementor-widget .elementor-icon-list-icon svg { Im tired, said Tim Ma, who previously served on the CFC worship team. 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. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. 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. Biblical discipline, especially of a pastor or elder in ordained office, cannot be conducted in solitude by the offender. Many times, I thought I lost my own understanding in God. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. However, nine elders objected to the decision and asked for Chung's suspension. But the way to combat shame isnt to fix yourself or cover your misdeedsit is to be truly known and loved. Those who looked deeper discovered sexual misconduct and abuse of power by Chung, former long-term church members, pastors, and leaders state in a 67-page report released to The Roys Report (TRR). CFCs current senior pastor, KJ Kim, was also accused of aiding in the cover-up of Min Chungs misconduct in a report compiled by a team of whistleblowers. Min committed sexual misconduct against a female young adult whom he was pastoring. New report reveals how Korean pastor in Chicago fostered 'm Regarding recovery, the pastor reconciled with his victim, and regarding his relationship with God, he recognized his sin before God and relies on the blood of Christ, Rev. In May, CFC severed ties with Chung and hired Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (G.R.A.C.E.) Pastor KJ Kim acknowledged that Chung has been accused of a pattern of abusing his authority. CFC separated from Chung on May 27 and has contracted a third-party investigation into his conduct. 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). But theres, of course, a lot under the surface as well, he added. top: 6px; WBEZ first reported the allegations against Chung and the crisis unfolding at CFC as the victims of sexual and spiritual abuse shared their stories online. Members didnt feel safe talking to leaders and sometimes felt ostracized, the report said. padding: 1px; font-size: 13px She says he then began to force himself on her and pull his pants down until she pushed him off and ran into the bathroom, locking the door until he left. After that, he was Join our weekly TGIF newsletter and receive recent articles and fresh resources from the web.
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. "MC (Min Chung) is anointed by God, God only exists at CFC and there is no other place like CFC. Korean Church Stops Independent Investigation into Sexual Growing up in San Francisco, Yep felt alienated. My experience is that more gets done for the perpetrator versus the victim. 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.. CFC had been regularly updating the church on GRACEs investigation. Dozens of Illinois, CHAMPAIGN Plans have resumed for a carbon dioxide pipeline in Illinois after a brief delay. Theyre a very inclusive, very inviting community. In 2020, the SOLA Council was notified about a past incident involving council member Min Chung, in which he acted inappropriately with a female young adult whom he was pastoring. Esther Yoon-Ji Kang is a reporter for WBEZs Race, Class and Communities desk. But after receiving the findings and recommendations from its investigation team, the KCP decided to restore Chung to his post. 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. She bangs on his door all hours of the night until he finally comes and gives her justice, LeCroy explained. 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. figcaption.wp-caption-text { Frank Barker, whose 4,000-member Briarwood Presbyterian Church grew from a Birmingham, Alabama, storefront before he helped found the conservative Presbyterian. 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. 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. In the aftermath, CFC promised to make changes and to be transparent. We here at SOLA Network affirm these words: SOLA Network exists to influence the emerging generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. (Illinois defines criminal sexual assault as using force or threat or force, and the defendant knows the victim is unable to give knowing consent.). The audit report isnt linked to any of the online church leadership updates. Mayor Lori Lightfoot was handed a stunning defeat, the first time in 40 years a sitting mayor was not reelected. Sources at GRACE told WBEZ that the group had conducted interviews with more than 40 former and present CFC members, many of whom spent hours talking about their experiences. He also referred WBEZ to Tim LeCroy, a pastor who chaired the PCAs committee that wrote the domestic and sexual abuse report. The Austin-area congregation declared itself open to LGBTQ persons on staff and that the church building would be available to host same-sex wedding ceremonies. 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. At the same time as former and current members of CFC were being interviewed by GRACE, the case against the figure at the center of the controversy Min Chung made its way through the PCAs judicial system. } He experienced his childhood in America and went to James B. Conant High School. Sin has real and lasting consequences and should be dealt with appropriately with discipline and repentance, not in spite of the gospel, but precisely because of it. Kim would not agree to an interview but wrote back: We at CFC continue to seek the Lord in the work of the church and we are grateful to God for the way He is leading our congregation and this is our focus right now. Pastoral leadership is an immense privilege, not a right. 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. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? visibility: hidden;
The victim was terrified and did whatever she was told, the report states. 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. 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. The friend urged the victim to tell Chung she hadnt consented to his touch. /* Progress and audio bars */ position: absolute; content: ''; .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-controls .mejs-time-rail .mejs-time-total { The CCG called the allegations against Min Chung an inappropriate moral failure between Min Chung and a woman. This is so disheartening. 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. Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify when the KCP received the whistleblowers allegations and to more accurately state certain charges.
In this case, Id say this is the logical result of Korean Cultures Confucian-infused hierarchy: father-son, king-subject, husband-wife, elder-younger, friend-friend (where one is above the other in rank). That is the message of Esther Lius book Shame: Being Known and Loved. They were also concerned that other victims may exist, she said. Many CFC members are students there who hail from the Chicago area. Several CFC Survivors came forward to tell their stories on an Instagram account. The Council in particular, as men in pastoral leadership of Asian American churches, want to offer an apology. In September 2019, two other whistleblowers met with Kim as a final step to urge leadership to take proper steps, the report states. In addition, hundreds of accounts surfaced online criticizing the church for mishandling alleged incidents of sexual abuse committed by church members, highlighting how Chung and other church leaders downplayed that abuse. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-embed body { /* Player controls */ Former church members expressed dismay over CFCs apparent about-face. WBEZ emailed CFC lead pastor KJ Kim and the churchs Oversight Board with questions about why the church terminated its contract with GRACE, as well as CFCs plan for any long-term changes in the wake of last years events. 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. 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 Council believes sexual sin against a member of the congregation and failure to properly confess or be held accountable are reasons to disqualify a pastor/elder from office. 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. } 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 brief moment. Last weekend a sermon by Evangelical pastor Francis Chan went viral, as in the sermon Chan shared about Communion and his discovery of the scriptural and historical basis for transubstantiation - that the bread and the wine become the literal Body and Blood of Christ. Former members of Covenant Fellowship Church (CFC) of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, where Chung pastored, say the whole church system breeds abuse. } WebView the profiles of professionals named "Min Chung" on LinkedIn. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. .wp-caption-text { Its time to move on.. The commission ruled the KCP had made procedural errors during its initial look at the allegations against Chung, according to Brian Park, one of the pastors in that presbytery who filed the complaint to the SJC. The church consists of predominantly a Korean American congregation. I would guess the numbers will continue to collapse keep up the good work PCA. 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. 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