An Illinois-based Korean congregation has agreed to pay more than $1.4 million to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church (UMC) following a legal dispute over property ownership.
Last month, the former Naperville Korean United Methodist Church reached a settlement with the UMC Northern Illinois Conference to resolve the litigation that arose during their attempt to leave the denomination.
Following the UMC's trust clause provision, which stipulates that all church properties and assets are held in trust for the entire denomination, the church agreed to pay $1,429,457.98 and adhere to the official disaffiliation process, as reported by UM News last week.
Northern Illinois Bishop Dan Schwerin expressed gratitude for the “good people who remain faithful to the UMC” and now worship at the site under the new name Woori United Methodist Church. In a statement, Schwerin said, “With the lawsuit behind us we can return to the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in the greater Naperville area.”
From 2019 to 2023, the UMC implemented a temporary provision that allowed congregations to disaffiliate due to ongoing debates over sexual ethics, resulting in more than 7,500 churches leaving.
The Naperville Korean UMC began the disaffiliation process but later chose to declare themselves an independent congregation in May 2023, leading to legal proceedings. In March, a judge ruled in favor of the Northern Illinois Conference, determining that the regional body held control over the assets and property of Naperville UMC.
“The Northern Illinois Conference is grateful for this decision and is using this opportunity to actively work towards reconciliation with the members and leadership of the Naperville Korean Church,” explained the Rev. Victoria Rebeck, conference spokesperson, in an earlier interview with The Christian Post.
Rebeck further noted that members of the Naperville Korean United Methodist Church who wished to remain affiliated with The United Methodist Church have been holding worship services in the building since Palm Sunday.
