Split congregation wants apology as Employment Court orders Bread of Life Church pastor Xi Chen be reinstated

Following an “acrimonious and tragic church split” and years of litigation, a pastor who was unjustifiably dismissed from the role has won reinstatement, but tensions remain within the congregation. Xi Chen, pastor of the Bread of Life Christian Church in Auckland, said the ruling was a “new beginning” while those opposed to his reinstatement have accepted it, but have called for him to apologise. “After three long years of litigation, our church, my family, and I have endured tremendous pressure, difficulties and harm,” Chen, father of former Labour MP Naisi Chen, told NZME.

“Now, with this favourable outcome, we also have a new beginning.”.