The SOLA Network exists to influence the emerging generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is because we believe in the power and sanctity of the gospel that we are publishing this statement.
The gospel is good news for all sinners; in the blood of Christ, all can find forgiveness and redemption. However, the gospel also demonstrates that mercy is not given at the expense of justice and vice versa. 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. 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.
Statement on Min Chung
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. In light of this information, on August 15, 2020, the SOLA Council asked Min to resign his position and removed all of Min’s content from the SOLA website. 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. At the time, the SOLA Council placed trust in the proper processes and authorities of his local church and denomination to conduct an investigation and hold Min Chung accountable.
During the subsequent year, the SOLA Council learned that:
- Min committed sexual misconduct against a female young adult whom he was pastoring.
- He kept this information hidden for nearly 20 years from his wife, his church leaders, and other leaders outside the church.
- 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.
Furthermore, in recent weeks, it has become public knowledge that Min Chung was found guilty by the Korean Central Presbytery (KCP). He received disciplinary measures that included temporary leave from the pulpit and acknowledgment of previous personal acts of piety as self-imposed discipline. Many have called into question the biblical sufficiency of these measures, and the SOLA Network also expresses strong concern regarding the decision of the KCP.
As of May 27, 2021, Covenant Fellowship Church (CFC) has terminated its formal relationship with Min Chung.
The SOLA Network, for the gospel-centric reason outlined in the introduction, feels it is necessary to articulate that:
- Sexual misconduct and/or harassment in any form is a grievous sin that should never be tolerated.
- Biblical discipline, especially of a pastor or elder in ordained office, cannot be conducted in solitude by the offender. It requires public forms of accountability and repentance. 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.
We at the SOLA Network are grieving.
We grieve the fact that ministers of the gospel, those who are to represent Christ himself, have sinned against their own sheep, denied the biblical call to repentance, and failed to seek justice.
We grieve that this incident will cause many to experience confusion and lose trust in their pastors and elders.
We grieve the fact that our churches have both knowingly and unknowingly created environments where abuse could happen and be kept in the dark.
We grieve the subtle undertones of misogyny that have been present in our churches and have contributed to unbiblical hierarchies and unhealthy power structures.
The Council in particular, as men in pastoral leadership of Asian American churches, want to offer an apology. We apologize for the ways we may have contributed to an unhealthy culture if we have been silent. 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. We are sobered and shudder at the human propensity for sin; we seek God’s grace so that we can be committed to keeping the church protected and honored as the Bride of Christ.
What We Desire
In a situation like this, we believe real accountability, discipline, and repentance are required. Pastoral leadership is an immense privilege, not a right. As James 3 warns us, teachers will be judged more strictly. There are far-reaching consequences to a leader’s sins, and as God lovingly and wisely disciplines those he loves, so the church must do the same beginning with her leaders. While the perfect judgment of God awaits us all, human judgments must be made to reflect His.
For the sake of the church’s purity and healing, we desire for there to be a thorough, fair, and independent investigation completed regarding the incident and the aftermath. 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. 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 disciplinary measures are followed.
Finally, we desire and pray for justice and healing for all past and present survivors of abuse. 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 is the ultimate judge who will make right all wrongs and the one who will both save and destroy. 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. In your pain and in your healing, may you be comforted and strengthened by the presence of Christ, your advocate, your protector, and your savior.
We here at SOLA Network affirm these words:
- 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)
- Kim Kira (Lighthouse Community Church)
- David Larry Kim (Harvest – KPCO)
- Aaron Chung (Exilic Church)
- Will Chang (New Life Presbyterian Church)
- Michael Lee (All Nations Community Church)
- Justin Kim (Bethel Grace Church)
- Hannah Chao (All Nations Community Church)
- Soojin Park (Christ Central Presbyterian Church)
- Tim St. John (Lighthouse Community Church)
- Heidi Wong (Exilic Church)
- Moses Y. Lee (Rosebook Presbyterian Church)
- Kevin Yi (Church Everyday)