San Jose Korean Central Church v. Korean Evangelical Church of Am. CA6

Filed 5/29/24 San Jose Korean Central Church v. Korean Evangelical Church of Am. CA6

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS

California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

SAN JOSE KOREAN CENTRAL H048995

CHURCH, (Santa Clara County Super. Ct. No. 19CV354230) Plaintiff and Appellant,

v.

KOREAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH

OF AMERICA,

Defendant and Respondent.

This dispute involves a hierarchical religious denomination, Korean Evangelical Church of America (KECA), and one of its local churches, San Jose Korean Central Church (SJKCC). On June 9, 2019, the board of SJKCC, led by its senior pastor, Francis Chung, purportedly approved new bylaws and voted to disaffiliate itself from KECA. One week later, at a special meeting set by the board, the congregation…