Salt and Light...how I see it.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

Ironically, the two prominent Christian personalities, Thio Li Ann and Kong Hee, that have talked about salt and light in the public space have been rather controversial figures. Not that controversial people are necessary good or bad.

Others have written essays and long articles about salt and light but to me, it really quite simple. Salt represents intelligence, a critical mind and the purity of Jesus Christ in your heart and deeds. Light represent evangelism, sharing the Gospel to those around you, first in deed and behaviour of oneself and subsequently in fervent self-study and sharing of the Holy Scriptures.

What is salt? And how does one forever remember the taste of salt?
A mind, if well-schooled (in secular and theological knowledge) and trained to think critically, will not lose the taste of salt. And if you don't acquire the taste of salt, then you will be, as the Bible says, thrown out and trampled upon.

When a pack of wolves attacks a deer and devours it, is it good or bad? In the first instance, some might think that the act isn't so "good" as the deer is tormented and eventually dies horribly. Some might even think that the pack of wolves are evil. Yet, this type of somewhat "cruel" behaviour are everyday occurences in the animal kingdom. Our God and Creator of this Universe, has designed this amazing ecosystem that behind seemingly cruel acts conceal His divine intentions. That the wolves are hunting for their own survival and the deers would over a long period of time develop better evading skills (yes, theory of evolution, please don't get started on Religion and Evolution).

So, when something happens to a Christian personality or Christian organisation (like CHC and Kong Hee) and an issue confronts the Christian community (like AWARE or Casino), think critically and not blindly follow what others say or do. Do not be easily swayed by seemingly convincing arguments, read and research intensively, find out both sides of the arguments and come to your findings and conclusion.

Do not take pride in your conclusion or argument, be open to criticisms and amendments to what you first believe. Do not shun disagreements, for it is only with them that one may improve and hone the mind (of course, be nice when disagreeing). It is so that notions can become convictions. It is so that we can be the salt of God's Kingdom.

When CHC meets CAD

There are many more urgent issues in the world that captured my attention this past week, like the Foxconn suicide payment conspiracy and the appalling light sentences given to the owners of the Bhopal chemical plant in India which leaked and killed thousands of people in the 1980s. So desperate were Foxconn workers that they gave up their own lives for 5 years worth of their USD$250 monthly salary, thank goodness Foxconn have decided to double their pay and stop all suicide compensation. And for profit-craze businessmen, they forsake safety and eventually caused thousands of lives only to be punished by couple years jail-time and few thousands in fine (subjected to appeal). Pretty warped if u ask me.

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.