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CHC, City Harvest Church, David Yonggi Cho, elders, scandal, statement, YFGC, yoido full gospel church, yonggi cho
YOIDO FULL GOSPEL CHURCH STATEMENT CRITIQUE
CHC recently published Yoido Full Gospel Church’s official statement about the Yonggi Cho scandal. Before reading their statement, we would like to highlight some concerning elements to our readers in this statement.
Underneath the Yoido Full Gospel Church (YFGC) statement, we will publish the biblical qualifications of Godly leadership. It is important to consider if David Yonggi Cho and his elders fulfill the requirements as we offer our critique.
Snippet 1:
“From this day forward all us who are related to this matter will try our best to prevent something like this from happening again.”
What does this mean? Elders did try “to prevent something like this from happening”. They apparently did the biblical thing behind closed doors with David Yonggi Cho (Matt 18:15-20). They were expelled and made the issues public. They were maligned by David Yonggi Cho but were proven to be right in court. Those apologising appeared to do nothing of the sort. When you read the statement, it does not sound like they are apologising about their complacency.
If they want “to prevent something like this from happening again”, they need to remove Yonggi Cho’s family from leadership and have them counselled under God’s Word.
Snippet 2:
“More than anything, we can’t stop expressing our deepest apologies towards our members and to our spiritual teacher and leader Pastor Yonggi Cho for our inability in properly aiding him.”
Why is YFGC leadership “expressing [their] deepest apologies” to Yonggi Cho for their “inability in properly aiding him”? Like we just said, a cluster of elders did try to aid and correct Yonggi Cho privately and they were expelled from his church.
The comment is disturbing. It sounds rather cultish that they are apologising to their leader when it was their leader was caught committing illegal activity.
Snippet 3:
“We promise to sincerely do our best to ensure that Pastor Cho’s ministry will be carried out well within God’s grace.”
Dear elders: your minister is unqualified to hold a pastoral or leadership position in your church. Not only is he a false teacher, he doesn’t even tick the qualifications to be in ministry. He can’t manage his own family.
Furthermore, Yonggi Cho does not have a ministry. Every Christian is called to uphold Christ’s ministry, not their own (2 Corinthians 5:17-21; 1 Timothy 3:15). However Cho has counterfeited Christ’s ministry by establishing his own ‘ministry’ which is why you see this entire empire as “Cho’s ministry”.
Snippet 4:
“We urge our members to also continue praying for Pastor Cho’s health and ministry.”
Here is the next mistake in their statement. You do not pray God’s blessing over wolves or God’s enemies (Isaiah 5:20; Proverbs 17:13). Instead, we are called to love and pray for them to repent of their wickedness and turn back to God. As we stated before, the elders need to not only pray for Cho, they need to do the following:
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:11-12
Snippet 5:
“In light of this incidence, we would like to put our past behind and set our sights on the bright future as we move forward in faith to lead in the sharing and practicing of love.”
This is both foolish and unloving to say the least. YFGC should not “put [their] past behind and set [their] sights on the bright future”. Why? They haven’t learnt from their past mistakes and have only made the same mistake again. The leadership need to examine the beliefs, the practices and the system of Yoido Full Gospel Church.
This statement lacks substance, lacks clarity, lacks meaning, lacks accountability and shows little regard for God and His word. If they can’t discern and articulate what the problem is then what have they learned?
If you feel lead, please pray that Yoido Full Gospel reforms and submits to God’s Word.
YOIDO FULL GOSPEL CHURCH STATEMENT
CHC published the following,
Yoido Full Gospel Church’s Statement To Its Church Members (23 Feb 2014)
To the members of our church
This is to inform you our members concerning the results of the trial pertaining to our church held on February 20 (Thursday).
1. With regard to the documents which were approved a while back, a judgment has been made by the judiciary. We sincerely apologize for bringing anxiety to all of the members who have loved our church and prayed about all of the matters related to this situation. From this day forward all us who are related to this matter will try our best to prevent something like this from happening again.
2. More than anything, we can’t stop expressing our deepest apologies towards our members and to our spiritual teacher and leader Pastor Yonggi Cho for our inability in properly aiding him. We promise to sincerely do our best to ensure that Pastor Cho’s ministry will be carried out well within God’s grace. We urge our members to also continue praying for Pastor Cho’s health and ministry.
3. For the past 56 years, Yoido Full Gospel Church has never ceased its ministry of saving souls by preaching the gospel and helping the poor and needy, despite the many difficulties that the church has been through. In light of this incidence, we would like to put our past behind and set our sights on the bright future as we move forward in faith to lead in the sharing and practicing of love. To accomplish this, we dearly need your prayers. We beseech you to pray for the church more fervently and more earnestly.
February 23, 2014 (Sunday)
Yoido Full Gospel Church Senior Pastor Young-hoon Lee, Pastors and Members of the Board
Source: Yoido Full Gospel Church’s Statement To Its Church Members (23 Feb 2014), http://www.chc.org.sg/#!yoido-full-gospel-churchs-statement-to-its-church-members-23-feb-2014, CHC, Published 23/02/2014. (Accessed 24/02/2014.)
NOTE: SCREEN GRAB WAS TAKEN ON THE 24/02/2014.
The Apostle Paul says to young Timothy,
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3
“…is an idolater…”
Your publisher has selective visual problem? They tend to highlight immorality and greed and are clearly blind to idolatry(much greater sin which leads to all other atrocities/crimes in the name of god) because they can’t comprehend, or is in denial, that their religious practices/leanings are idolatrous which has its roots in roman pagan worship?
And hence, your great religious leaders(of your bias) and biblical scholars, whom you are beholden, interpretation of 1 timothy 3 is all screwed up?
“proclaimed among the nations? ”
Christianity didn’t proclaim HIM among the natons because no nation, in their right mind, will submit to their religious ideology of the “Kingdom of god”(unworkable)
hence, separation of state and religion
They even got “immorality and greed” wrong. Their anal interpretation had messed with private lives( especially homos).
Do you know Eve was immoral?
Cho broke civil law, period. He is no more immoral and greedier than you.
The Yoido Full Gospel statement is a disgrace. The leaders should be more concerned that those who have committed sins be given proper counselling and repent of their sins. This is no to condemn the sinner but to ensure sin that entangles is purged from the sinner and the fellowship of believers.
Apostle Paul chided Apostle Peter in public for his hypocrisy in separating from the Gentiles when the Jews arrived to dine and the epistles are letters to Christians to rid the churches of wrongdoing as in letters to the Corinthians where there was sexual immorality.
Christians are to be transparent and not cringe from exposing sin, especially unrepented and unredressed sin in their midst.
Churchianity is not the same as Christianity when followers appear to be more loyal to their church leaders instead of to the Word of God.
1) Perhaps you have problem in understanding the meaning of separation of state and religion?
2) Perhaps you have problem in understanding why state and religion must be separated just like why fantasy is separated from reality?
3) People PRIVATE sex lives maybe sinful to you, and your particular religious organisation but to many, it is none of your business or your religion business primarily because they do no subscribe to mindless following or to an organisation detached from reality?
4) How about if I make it my religion to mind your private affairs?
Thinking Robot perhaps it is you who has the problem in understanding Christianity and the subject of sin has nothing to do with separation of state and religion. Can you give me one verse which says it is ok for a leader to sin and for the church to simply ignore it?
There is no such thing as “people private sex lives” because God sees everything and the Bible says what is done in secret he will expose. A Christian should have the same standard of conduct in private as in public.
Your ideas are not Christian or based on God’s word and not to be taken seriously. If you have the Spirit of God in you and make the Bible your guiding light you will never say the things you do.
Jesus said, Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not do what I say?” If you disobey God’s Word and make your own rules based on your own ideas then you are your own god.
No one who thinks his ideas are more important than the Bible cannot be a true Christian or at best a spiritual baby still struggling with submission to Christ.
Robots cannot think but normal humans can so please start thinking straight and rely on the Bible and not your own false ideas.
Dearest Steve Oh
1) You haven’t answered my question. Can I make it my religion to probe your private affairs? And would you be fine with that?
2) Since you believe your sex life is in public interests or your most intimate moments should be exposed for public consumption, shall we start with you?
3) are you aware that the scriptures have been sealed till the appointed time? If so, you think the biblical religious leaders(including apostle Paul) knew exactly what their “unknown tongues” had been rattling?
4) and where does it says in the bible that man shall live by the bible or that the bible is the word or mouth of god? Did Jesus said that?
Those who live by the sword, dies by the sword! Those who(all religious leaders) taught and keep referring to the scriptures in a DICTATORIAL manner should fall under the edge of the sword!
Luke 21:24 >>
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Ps: btw, we also want to know in details your parent sex lives.
Ps: btw, we also want to know in details your parent sex lives.
Ew! What kind of weirdo are you???
There is no such thing as “people private sex lives” …said Steve Oh
You’re very fixated on sexual matters if you “need” to introduce this totally unrelated topic to this blog entry (and blog overall) Think NOT.
Matthew 15: 18 [Jesus said] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, *adulteries*, *fornications*, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; *Adultery*, *fornication*, uncleanness, *lasciviousness*, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things *shall not* inherit the kingdom of God.
You need to examine your heart and repent of your worldly ways of thinking ASAP.
So therefore you want to find out about his parent’s sex life???
I’m sure there are websites for people with your interests, but this isn’t it.
Thinking Robot, I gather from your comments that you don’t know your Bible and from the way you write and respond you may not even be a Christian.
Yes you can make it your religion to probe my private life if you like but don’t you have better things to do?
Did you not read in Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God?” Jesus taught Christians to live by God’s word – the Bible.
Every Christian knows that.
Repent of your wrong thinking, read the Bible and do not replace the Bible’s teachings with your own ideas.
Thinker and Icarus, why do I need to repent when I am SINLESS(I don’t subscribe to your mindless Christian ideology on Sin and substitutionary atonement) ?🙂 ( furthermore, you are assuming too much with your EVIL EYE when you don’t even know me – how silly of you. And don’t act “holy” in a public forum because Christians are well known for their hypocrisy. You people are the LEAST worthy to stand on MORAL HIGH GROUND and calling for others to repent even in the name of God – that shameless :))
Steve Oh, I am responding to your immoral charges – where is the relevance and no one question you but attack me instead? lol
Truth of the matter is, it is the christians who are fixated with sexual matters(their relentless attack on homosexuality for instance) especially when they can’t hold an argument and resort to quilt and shame – reminds you of Sin gov, doesn’t it? lol
Steve Oh, you are wasting my time when you can’t understand plain English and follow the line of argument.
For those who had made irrational and unsubstantial personal attack on my comments – don’t waste my time too. I will be happy you skip my comments. Cast your evil eye on yourself first🙂
I wonder why C3 allowed personal attacks from Christians.
“Ew! What kind of weirdo are you???” – Icarus
“You need to examine your heart and repent of your worldly ways of thinking ASAP.” – Thinker
Who are these people who made personall judgment on anonymous entities? Anybody owe them a living?
Icarus commented:
So therefore you want to find out about his parent’s sex life???
I’m sure there are websites for people with your interests, but this isn’t it.
Learn to read intelligently. Don’t stick your nose into someone’s AH if you don’t want your AH filled with a plunger, understand?
Teacher said Learn to read intelligently….
Please tell me what part of “Ps: btw, we also want to know in details your parent sex lives.” I misread? I can see some kind of poor reverse psychology effort earlier in the comment about Steve Oh, but given what he/she had written already why go there again, taking it further by bringing his mother and father into it? Seems like a pretty weird thought trail to me.
You don’t seem to have problem with it though, each to their own I guess.
Also would you care to elaborate what “AH” means? I can’t think of anything that would make your last sentence read intelligently at all. I checked Urban Dictionary in case I was missing some new internet speak but that didn’t help.
“Understand?” Er, not really no. Your tone is a bit threatening though which worries me it can’t be something good. Does it have anything to do with my parents?
“Thinker and Icarus, why do I need to repent when I am SINLESS(*I don’t subscribe to your mindless Christian ideology* on Sin and substitutionary atonement)….”
Thankyou for confirming my suspicion.
“…our deepest apologies towards … leader Pastor Yonggi Cho for our inability in properly aiding him”
Are thee guys serious? Sorry that we didn’t help you not get caught for buying stocks from your son at 4x market value, thereby transferring wealth from the church to your family?
What I would expect from this church is something more along the lines of “We apologise to the congregation that our internal financial controls have failed. We have engaged a big 4 audit firm to investigate all financial transactions over the last 10 years”.