But in sunny Singapore, there was nothing except CAD investigating CHC that attracted the attention of Singaporeans and Christians especially. I am not going to judge Pastor Kong Hee or say that he is right or wrong - I guess there are many netizens, forums and blogs already doing that. Ultimately, that is the job of the CAD, and let's leave it to the professionals. What I can say is that Kong Hee has touched many people through his spreading of the word of Lord Jesus Christ and no one should take that away from him. And for those who are giving support to their church and pastor, don't take it away from them, in unity we can find strength in adversity.
But I am going to make a few observations. First, some CHC-ers has thought of the investigations as an attack on their pastor, church and perhaps faith. The most prominent example doing its rounds online is one Zhen Yi Kiew who has threatened to raise an army. I hope CHC pastors can talk to him before he really gets into trouble. Also, in CHC's Statements of Faiths, No.17, quoting Romans 13, it is clearly stated that CHC is subjected to the Singapore Government that is ordained of God. Hopefully, CHC-ers can understand that the investigations is into monies and accounts held by humans, who as the Bible said are born into sin, and not a question mark cast upon the good work done by CHC. I am sure, after the storm has subsided, that CHC would function as ever before as a church with a vibrant congregation.
Source: http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=2788450
Source: http://www.chc.org.sg/eng/church/church_sttFaith.php
Second, mega-churches who are able to collect an enormous amount of tithe (while most other churches get by from hand to mouth) and build up healthy reserves for their grand expansion plans should subject themselves to stricter financial regulations, internal checks and balances and external audits, not unlike any listed company or institution that has the covenant to collect money from the public. This is to protect public interests and prevent such organizations from misusing public funds.
Some will argue, and have argued, that churches are different from charities who solicit funds from the public. My reply is aren't churches also soliciting members from public, who in turn contribute money to the church? And publicly listed companies also do not directly solicit funds from the public, their target a specific audience, i.e. investors. Moreover, if Singapore does not have strict corporate governance laws and regulations, would anyone want to invest their money in our markets? Therefore, churches, mega or otherwise, should have robust financial governance to boost the confidence of donating Christians.
A case point, as highlighted by Lycan Times, is the CHC Jurong West church that cost $47 million on a 30 years lease. 47/30 = $1.57 million per annum. That's a lot of money that could be used for other things such as social work and bursaries for the less-fortunate students. Really, do Christians need a titanium clad building, state-of-the-art sound system or leather-clad auditorium seats to be inspired by Our Father and his Only Son who shed his blood for our sins? (And I thought building opulent places of worship was something that the towkays will do.) Could the same money be put to better use such as running subsidized or free Biblical courses so that our youth and converts can better understand the lessons from our scriptures and parables? And if the lease is not renewed or CHC has no financial ability to renew the lease after 30 years? Tear it down? Or appeal for more donations? Whatever happened to prudence?
Another reason why mega-churches require a keen financial oversight is their demographic make-up. Take CHC for example, 52% of their congregation are not drawing a salary and more than 40% of their congregation are below 24 years old (see charts from CHC). Yes, these Christians do donate, often being "inspired" by their fellow members who are also donating and propagating the prosperity gospel. But wait, where do these students get their money from? Do their parents, Christian or otherwise, have an interests in how the money is collected and spent? Are these kids donating with their eyes wide open, do they understand the philosophy behind tithe, or simply a part of the ritualistic adrenalin rushing heart stomping Christian rock concert?
Source: CHC official website statistics
Similar for the $310 million deal that CHC has with Suntec City. In the first place, CHC does not have that much money, they probably have somewhere around $100 million from the news reports (CAD is probably trying to determine that now). So the congregation has to top-up gradually over the years and decades the $200 million plus interests from the bank. Is that fair? Churches spending future money and taking on debt when in the first place we are non-profit?! And what if the congregation dwindle or do not grow as fast due to whatever reasons? Who would bear the debt? Speak to any property agent and he will tell you how big piece a land one can buy with $50 million, and freehold!
Ask thyself followers Jehovah! Would Our Father in Heaven judge you by the hardware you pray in or the HEARTWARE U PRAY WITH? Would Our Father in Heaven judge you by the number of Christian rock songs you know or the Biblical knowledge you possess? would Our Father in Heaven judge you by the amount of tithe that you have given or the good kind deeds you have done in His Righteous Name, The Lord Jesus CHRIST? Ask thyself!
Proverbs is one of the most beautiful and simplistic books in Christianity, and it re-emphasizes the need for Biblical knowledge and prudence over the pursuit of materialism. And it is written:
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. Proverbs 8:10-12
May the peace of Jesus' teachings dwell everlasting in your hearts. Amen.
Hi, you have addressed the point of accountability to the public very well since some members of CHC generally dismissed detractors by saying that they are not members. Members or not, a lot of these people may have given money for their children who them contribute.
ReplyDeleteBesides, in the past I have read on forums of teens from CHC looking for a job during holidays to contribute to the church. I am puzzled why it has not been made clear to them that it is not required of them to do so, and who has 'inspired' them to consider that option.
Unfortunately, the teaching at CHC is so "law" based that when CHC meets CAD they will likely be taken to tasks strictly based on the law, and not convered by the grace of God in the "Blood" per say.
ReplyDeleteSome expenditure are difficult to explain such as 20 million on Admin cost (apart for all the rental, staffing etc)based on their own financial statements.
I trust that the teens would not loose faith in God if the results were negative.
I do know that for S$100 million, one can buy a piece of land & build a simple building big enough to cater for more than 30,000 church members.
ReplyDeleteThe next question to raise would be why is CHC or Suntec so keen to close the deal.
Hi anon,
ReplyDeleteIt is simplistic to think that you can just buy any piece of land and just construct a church building when you have the money to do it. Singapore's laws have provisions for zoning land for specific uses, and land parcels for religious use are usually restricted in the size, certainly not big enough for a building to cater for more than 30,000 members. CHC has been searching for a large enough piece of land for several years and have not found it.
I agree with Stanley. In Singapore, even when a plot of land is released and the size matches your purposes, you might not get it because the gahmen has designated the plot for another purpose (for e.g. recreational instead of religious). So, someone can build a megaplex with 10 cinemas and a mega-mart, but no way a church with the money willing to pay will ever get it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments.
ReplyDeleteStanley and xizor, agree with you guys that buying a piece of land for a church is easier said than done. In fact, Sunday Times just featured churches who share their premises due to the space crunch. Have to give credit to churches for running their services at non-traditional locations.
However, at the end of the day, the question is should churches indebt the congregation to own/move to bigger place...even though the Suntec deal claims to have a recurring income. Even Lehman can collapse rite.
If CHC does indeed have money to pay in full whichever premise they're moving into, upon the agreement of its board and/or members then matters would be simpler wouldn't it?