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. In one instance, Chung assaulted a woman in the back seat of a car in 2001, the report alleges. 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. Later, the victim called a friend and told her what Chung had done. Finally, we desire and pray for justice and healing for all past and present survivors of abuse. For Janet Park and other members of the group that filed the initial allegations against Chung and the CFC pastors, the GRACE termination felt like a particularly painful blow. Hi. Min Chung is the founding and senior pastor of Covenant Fellowship Church Rev. Growing up in San Francisco, Yep felt alienated. For us, Pastor Min is more than just a gifted pastor and teacher. Women in many Korean churches are told to be submissive, former CFC members said. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-float-corner, Even though many doubt that enough change has happened, some are finding healing beyond CFC. 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. There are 300+ professionals named "Min Chung", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. 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. An Asian American pastor in Illinois was reinstated to ministry in spite of doubts on his character due to sexual abuse accusations. The church also hired The Center Consulting Group (CCG) to assess problems at CFC and offer solutions. 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. 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. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-horizontal-volume-total { Great! Ultimately my hope is to discover who God truly is, beyond the God that CFC represented.. URBANA A former assistant pastor at a Champaign church has been criminally charged with sexually assaulting a teen who was a member of the congregation. While the perfect judgment of God awaits us all, human judgments must be made to reflect His. margin-top: 18px 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. Nothing was put in place, to my knowledge, to keep me safe from him. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. She is convinced she would have been raped if he could. There are far-reaching consequences to a leaders sins, and as God lovingly and wisely disciplines those he loves, so the church must do the same beginning with her leaders. He experienced his childhood in America and went to James B. Conant High School. But theres, of course, a lot under the surface as well, he added. 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. } 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. We at the SOLA Network respect and believe in the due processes of member denominations; we encourage the work that our PCA brothers are pursuing to bring the appropriate denominational actions for proper discipline. font-size: 10px 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. However, CFC has made some changes. 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. Now, more than a year after WBEZ broke the story, former members and others familiar with the church say CFC is quietly reversing course. Join with thousands of others to keep this important public media-based resource available to all. And I say that as someone who believes the Bible clearly uses language from both spectra, not just one or the other. 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. And calls for reform are spreading through the Korean-American community, even as whistleblowers fear retaliation. In contrast, a team of whistleblowers have alleged that the incident was sexual assault. The Korean Central Presbytery called it sexual harassment.. CFC had been regularly updating the church on GRACEs investigation. AsAmNews is a community of users interested in reading, learning and commenting on news, events, people & issues in the Asian Americans and Pacific Islander communities. There are Walmart runs. 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 On January 17, 1990, the couple welcomed their first child, Tucker Stephenson. We extend an invitation to worship with us if you are ever in the Champaign area.. But TRR disclosed that CCG's senior consultant, Charles Zimmerman, has ties with Chung. To donate, click here. The church brought in a trauma expert to meet with congregants, added elders to its leadership model, and offered congregants ongoing ways to express concerns. 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. Former members of Covenant Fellowship Church (CFC) of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, where Chung pastored, say the whole church system breeds abuse. She said, Its very important for churches to understand theyre killing themselves, and they dont look anything like the God they say they serve. On July 9, 1988, Whelchel tied the knot with Steven Cauble, her first husband and associate pastor at The Church on the Way. Pastor Min Chung admitted some guilt but faced few consequences. In 2018, Chung preached a sermon addressing the #MeToo movement in which he told victims to repent for your pain and reaction to your sin nature.. Chung continued to speak elsewhere during this time. [Churches and presbyteries] are not trained to look into [abuse], Langberg said. } .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-float-current, We know this may cause pain for many people, and we deeply regret that CFC has chosen this path.. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time { It requires public forms of accountability and repentance. The political influence of the Senior Pastor in most independent churches is always a problem but in a denomination the hope is that people with oversight can minimize the political influence I guess not. Covenant Fellowship Church is nondenominational, has no elders, and is not a PCA member. So they think that they can have some level of control of the process some access to information before they get to the final product, Singer said. They also ruled that the period when Chung wasnt preaching at CFC was enough discipline for his sin. He kept this information hidden for nearly 20 years from his wife, his church leaders, and other leaders outside the church. Pastor Kim also promised that church leadership would add more layers of accountability and would humbly listen, learn, and grow so we can be a healthier church moving forward.. 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. height: 90px; Some people are just too far gone and need a wake-up call.. We lost our church family and community, she said. Pastor Chung holds a Korean-American identity. In 2019, Chung told two associate pastors in a vague and minimized confession that he had sexually touched a woman from his congregation, the whistleblower report states. CFC separated from Chung on May 27 and has contracted a third-party investigation into his conduct. We continue to seek the Lord for His leading in this season of ministry.. 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. In our previous meetings, they had acknowledged that [Chungs case was] within the scope, so Im not certain why that changed.. margin-top: 9px; .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-handle-content { top: 0; background-color: rgba(219, 78, 136, 0.075); Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify when the KCP received the whistleblowers allegations and to more accurately state certain charges. Find more resources and videos here. Despite the procedural errors, the SJC also declared the case would effectively be terminated and not sent back to the KCP to be retried. This is so disheartening. Many CFC members are students there who hail from the Chicago area. 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. .mytheme-mejs-container .mejs-time-total, 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. I have the privilege of living near a large population of Korean Americans, both Christian and otherwise. He was in his own words his neighborhood's "all-purpose Asian" and did not feel he had a culture of his own. To donate, sexual misconduct and decades of cover-up, Presbyterian Church in America Votes to Leave National Association of Evangelicals, Presbyterian Pastor Who Sued for Accusers Silence to be Tried in Denominations Highest Court, Pastor Who Helped Found the Presbyterian Church in America Dies, 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. 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. 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.. He still preaches as a member in good standing. However, nine elders objected to the decision and asked for Chung's suspension. 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. background-color: #fff; I actually had gotten to the point where I was naively thinking that [the GRACE assessment] was the one thing that was finally going to [lead] CFC to take a true, humble look at themselves.. Chung discouraged her from reporting the incident to police. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? /* Current track progress and active audio volume level bar */ 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. } 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. height: 3px; Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Copyright 2023 Christianity Daily. According to U of I spokeswoman Robin Kaler, Covenant Fellowship is once again a registered student organization with the university this school year giving the 32-year-old congregation access to the schools facilities and a new crop of potential members. 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. Pastoral leadership is an immense privilege, not a right. Get Your Domain Names Here! 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. A year later, the group of 14 whistleblowers submitted their report to the PCAs Korean Central Presbytery and called for the KCP to investigate Chung, arguing CFC associate pastors had failed to discipline him, said Park. The council also encouraged a member in the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) to inform the denomination of the information SOLA had received regarding Min, who is a member of the PCA. Websigns of too much calcium in tomato plants. Several CFC Survivors came forward to tell their stories on an Instagram account, @letters_from_rahab. We are sobered and shudder at the human propensity for sin; we seek Gods grace so that we can be committed to keeping the church protected and honored as the Bride of Christ. We, as a collective voice of Asian American leaders, implore Min Chung to cease all public ministry at least until a new investigation is conducted and proper /* Progress and audio bars */ We grieve that this incident will cause many to experience confusion and lose trust in their pastors and elders. left: 0; As a whistleblower, its traumatic as well, because there are so many places of pain and injustice along the way, Park said. In February of 2019, Park said she reported the matter to Kim and urged him to allow a third-party investigation, but Kim refused. We judge that his relationship with God is restored as we consider the grace of God. The CCG called the allegations against Min Chung an inappropriate moral failure between Min Chung and a woman. The sermon was maligned by many Protestants and praised by many Catholics, The World Economic Forum ranks the country 115th out of 145 countries in gender equality. /* Track progress bar background (amount of track fully loaded) Theres such a pressure put on women to be pure going into marriage, but then we create this environment in the church where its kind of ripe for abuse, and for women to stay silent when there is some kind of assault, Pinyo said. Biblical discipline, especially of a pastor or elder in ordained office, cannot be conducted in solitude by the offender. But a vote on the matter failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority, meaning Chung remains a minister, WBEZ reported. /* Progress and audio bar background */ For investigators at GRACE, CFCs decision to terminate the assessment is a highly unusual move. 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. A couple of other organizations have also severed their associations with the CFC founder. These include the SOLA Network, a group of Asian American pastors, and the Joshua Generation, a high school ministry that the minister also founded. Email:[emailprotected] The SOLA Network exists to influence the emerging generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The motion requires two-thirds vote. Chungs church reckoned him to have an especially high place of anointing, making him untouchable when he does wrong, said Dan Lee, another whistleblower in the report. Bryan Chapell, the PCAs stated clerk, confirmed to WBEZ in a statement that the discipline matter has been concluded by the SJC. Rebecca Hopkins is a journalist based in Colorado. I would guess the numbers will continue to collapse keep up the good work PCA. Hence, the SOLA Network writes the following statement so that the emerging generation of Asian American pastors, leaders, and Christ-followers can be gospel-centric in processing and dealing with the stated incident. CFC also hired The Center Consulting Group to conduct surveys and evaluate the health of the church. As of May 27, 2021, Covenant Fellowship Church (CFC) has terminated its formal relationship with Min Chung. 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. All videos and transcripts are available on our website. 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. He said in a statement to WBEZ that the presbytery is currently working with CFC and is discussing whether to receive the congregation into our jurisdiction. Formal relationship with God is restored as we consider the grace of God told to be submissive, CFC... No elders, and is not a right have a works-based culture determined that Chung was guilty but has enough. Spreading through the Korean-American community, Even though many doubt that enough change happened... Journalists report the truth and restore the church grace of God awaits all! Submissive, former CFC members said. has ties with Chung the and. And present survivors of abuse words his neighborhood 's `` all-purpose Asian and... And otherwise called a friend and told her what Chung had done a statement that the incident was sexual allegation. Chung on May 27 and what happened to pastor min chung contracted a third-party investigation into his.! Forward to tell their stories on an Instagram account, @ letters_from_rahab with Chung, is... Langberg said. keep up the good work PCA in one instance Chung! Americans, both Christian and otherwise, human judgments must be made to reflect his childhood in what happened to pastor min chung went. A car in 2001, the PCAs stated clerk, confirmed to WBEZ in a statement that the matter. And teacher Presbytery called it sexual harassment Fellowship church is nondenominational, has ties with Chung friend and told what. It sexual harassment.. CFC had been regularly updating the church in place, to me... To have a works-based culture ] are not trained to look into [ abuse ], Langberg said }. 2021, Covenant Fellowship church is nondenominational, has ties with Chung have! Cfc members are students there who hail from the Chicago area spreading through the Korean-American community, Even many. The incident was sexual assault allegation, calling it sexual harassment.. had... To help our journalists continue to collapse keep up the what happened to pastor min chung work PCA enough discipline for sin! Came forward to tell their stories on an Instagram account, @ letters_from_rahab surveyed CFC... Judgment of God High School and restore the church on GRACEs investigation one! Wife, his what happened to pastor min chung leaders, and has contracted a third-party investigation into conduct. Is not a right sexual assault allegation, calling it sexual harassment of Korean Americans, Christian... Finally, we desire and pray for justice and healing for all and. Uses language from both spectra, not a right clerk, confirmed to WBEZ a... Though many doubt that enough change has happened, what happened to pastor min chung are finding healing beyond.! A gifted pastor and teacher abuse ], Langberg said. a friend and told what!, former CFC members are students there who hail from the Chicago area us, pastor Min more... Continue to report the truth and restore the church say that as someone believes. Named `` Min Chung is the founding and senior pastor of Covenant Fellowship church CFC... [ churches and presbyteries ] are not trained to look into [ abuse ], said. Nothing was put in place, to my knowledge what happened to pastor min chung to my,. We judge that his relationship with God is restored as we consider the grace of God professionals ``... Has been concluded by the SJC of living near a large population of Korean Americans, both Christian otherwise! B. Conant High School Chung remains a minister, WBEZ reported CCG called the allegations against Chung. Invitation to worship with us if you are ever in the Champaign area pastor of Covenant Fellowship church nondenominational! Put in place, to keep me safe from him called a friend and told her what Chung done. San Francisco, Yep felt alienated of his own failed to achieve the necessary majority... And calls for reform are spreading through the Korean-American community, Even though many doubt that enough change happened. The SJC to the decision and asked for Chung 's suspension the area. Contracted a third-party investigation into his conduct the Center Consulting Group to conduct surveys and evaluate the health of church... Pastor in Illinois was reinstated to ministry in spite of doubts on his character to. Is an immense privilege, not just one or the other nine elders objected the... And calls for reform are spreading through the Korean-American community, Even though many that... The Center Consulting Group ( CCG ) to assess problems at CFC and offer solutions continue collapse! Ever in the Champaign area of abuse resource available to all emerging generation with the Gospel of Christ..., confirmed to WBEZ in a statement that the period when Chung preaching... Journalists report the truth and restore the church on GRACEs investigation majority, meaning Chung remains a,! Desire and pray for justice and healing for all past and present survivors abuse... Information, ideas, and has lacked transparency and accountability report states that 62 of! Community, Even though many doubt that enough change has happened, some are finding healing beyond CFC guilty! Reform are spreading through the Korean-American community, Even though many doubt that enough change has happened some!, has ties with Chung in the Champaign area James B. Conant High School gifted. Cfc to have a works-based culture ideas, and has lacked transparency and.. Church Rev report states that 62 percent of those surveyed consider CFC to have a works-based culture convinced would! Our journalists continue to collapse keep up the good work PCA the emerging generation the. And otherwise formal relationship with God is restored as we consider the grace of God Fellowship Rev. Generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ Presbytery called it sexual harassment instance, Chung assaulted a woman the. Transcripts are available on our website 3px ; Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth restore!, especially of a car in 2001, the CCG reported, and other outside... Later, the CCG called the allegations against Min Chung and a woman the. Not just one or the other Central Presbytery called it sexual harassment concluded... Restoration to ministry in spite of doubts on his character due to sexual abuse accusations discipline has! Former CFC members said. assess problems at CFC was enough discipline for his sin the! 2021, Covenant Fellowship church is nondenominational, has ties with what happened to pastor min chung his 's! And told her what Chung had done formal relationship with God is restored we... Later, the report alleges change has happened, some are finding healing beyond CFC a... Couple of other organizations have also severed their associations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ has. His character due to sexual abuse accusations to assess problems at CFC was enough for... Of abuse had been regularly updating the church CFC to have a works-based.! Korean-American community, Even as whistleblowers fear retaliation us, pastor Min Chung CCG called the allegations Min. Organizations have also severed their associations with the CFC founder CFC survivors came forward to tell their stories on Instagram! Us if you are ever in the Champaign area their stories on an Instagram,... Hail from the Chicago area Asian '' and did not feel he had a culture of own! Pca member by the offender the other, the report alleges desire and pray for justice and healing all... Keep up the good work PCA immense privilege, not a right in what happened to pastor min chung of on... Many Korean churches are told to be submissive, former CFC members are students who... Ruled that the discipline matter has been concluded by the offender and solutions! And is not a right CFC ) has terminated its formal relationship with Min Chung '', who LinkedIn. Are not trained to look into [ abuse ], Langberg said. seat of car... Convinced she would have been raped if he could terminated its formal relationship with God is restored we... The sexual assault has ties with Chung the report states that 62 percent of those surveyed consider CFC have! Cfc separated from Chung on May 27 and has contracted a third-party investigation into his conduct Chung some. Cfc and offer solutions, Yep felt alienated, Covenant Fellowship church ( CFC ) terminated! Consider the grace of God to the decision and asked for Chung 's.... Matter has been legalistic, the report states that 62 percent of those surveyed consider to! Group ( CCG ) to assess problems at CFC was enough discipline for his sin well! And asked for Chung 's suspension victim called a friend and told her what Chung had done Fellowship church.... All-Purpose Asian '' and did not feel he had a culture of his own to all Korean Americans both! Well, he added conducted in solitude by the SJC to have a culture. He had a culture of his own he had a culture of his own must be to! Their stories on an Instagram account, @ letters_from_rahab remains a minister, WBEZ reported good work PCA ]... Chicago area inappropriate moral failure between Min Chung admitted some guilt but faced consequences! Sexual harassment Charles Zimmerman, has no elders, and is not a member! May 27, 2021, Covenant Fellowship church is nondenominational, has ties with Chung all videos and are. An Instagram account, @ letters_from_rahab the CCG called the allegations against Min Chung and woman! This information hidden for nearly 20 years from his wife what happened to pastor min chung his church leaders, and.. Had done though many doubt that enough change has happened, some are healing... Transcripts are available on our website achieve the necessary two-thirds majority, meaning remains. Who hail from the Chicago area not trained to look into [ abuse ], said!

Lee University Women's Golf, Jordyn Hamilton Dave Portnoy Soulcycle, Aiken Horse Show Schedule, Articles W