@article{ART003364144},
author={Kim, Chung Il and Kyu Bo Kim},
title={A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors},
journal={Journal of Counseling and Gospel },
issn={1739-0745},
year={2026},
volume={34},
number={2},
pages={127-161},
doi={10.17841/jocag.2026.34.2.127}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kim, Chung Il
AU - Kyu Bo Kim
TI - A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors
JO - Journal of Counseling and Gospel
PY - 2026
VL - 34
IS - 2
PB - Korean Evangelical Counseling Society
SP - 127
EP - 161
SN - 1739-0745
AB - This study explores the difficulties cult defectors face when returning to mainstream churches and proposes pastoral care strategies to support their restoration of faith and church adjustment. A qualitative study was conducted with five defectors from three cult groups—Shincheonji, JMS (Providence), and the Church of God, Witnesses of Ahnsahnghong. Semi-structured interviews examined participants' experiences before, during, and after leaving the cult, and the challenges of church adjustment. The findings identified four barriers to church adjustment: (1) negative perceptions of God and the church, (2) cynical or dismissive attitudes within the church community, (3) heightened sensitivity to rejection, and (4) doctrinal confusion and unmet intellectual needs. Three factors promoted successful adjustment: (1) an accepting church community, (2) empathetic relationships with others who shared similar experiences, and (3) an experience of the gospel of grace. Based on these findings, five pastoral care strategies are proposed: (1) a doctrinal approach, (2) fostering an accepting church community, (3) restoring family relationships, (4) changing the church community's perceptions, and (5) presenting the gospel of grace. As more defections are expected due to the aging leadership of major cult groups, this study offers guidance for helping the Korean church support cult defectors' integration into churches.
KW - ex-members of heretical sects;church settlement;pastoral care approaches;religious addiction;conversion ministry
DO - 10.17841/jocag.2026.34.2.127
ER -
Kim, Chung Il and Kyu Bo Kim. (2026). A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors. Journal of Counseling and Gospel , 34(2), 127-161.
Kim, Chung Il and Kyu Bo Kim. 2026, "A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors", Journal of Counseling and Gospel , vol.34, no.2 pp.127-161. Available from: doi:10.17841/jocag.2026.34.2.127
Kim, Chung Il, Kyu Bo Kim "A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors" Journal of Counseling and Gospel 34.2 pp.127-161 (2026) : 127.
Kim, Chung Il, Kyu Bo Kim. A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors. 2026; 34(2), 127-161. Available from: doi:10.17841/jocag.2026.34.2.127
Kim, Chung Il and Kyu Bo Kim. "A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors" Journal of Counseling and Gospel 34, no.2 (2026) : 127-161.doi: 10.17841/jocag.2026.34.2.127
Kim, Chung Il; Kyu Bo Kim. A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors. Journal of Counseling and Gospel , 34(2), 127-161. doi: 10.17841/jocag.2026.34.2.127
Kim, Chung Il; Kyu Bo Kim. A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors. Journal of Counseling and Gospel . 2026; 34(2) 127-161. doi: 10.17841/jocag.2026.34.2.127
Kim, Chung Il, Kyu Bo Kim. A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors. 2026; 34(2), 127-161. Available from: doi:10.17841/jocag.2026.34.2.127
Kim, Chung Il and Kyu Bo Kim. "A Study on Pastoral Counseling Method for the Church Adjustment of Cult Survivors" Journal of Counseling and Gospel 34, no.2 (2026) : 127-161.doi: 10.17841/jocag.2026.34.2.127
