The replies from CHC members

After 2 days of waiting, my CHC friends in my Facebook friend list (secondary school friends, actually) shared 2 links on their feeds.

Truth is, no one knew the whole truth except those who are involved and God hence we need law to handle it. God placed those people in authority to handle these matter. I am just not too concerned about the verdict as either way God will glorify himself. Just worried about those young seedlings of faith who may not understand this whole chaotic situation surrounding the church.

CHC members replies and further updates:
City Harvest Investigation
City Harvest My Church
‘Proud’ CHC blogger wrote: What’s wrong with my Church using its own funds?
City Harvest Church Stereotypes… And Then I Saw What You Named Your Kid
Wait.

I am waiting for some hate mail from former CHC member. However, I saw a lot of comments from former CHC members! Is that how they grew so fast and rich?! I guess it just takes more than one standpoint to view this whole thing. You can just say I am kaypo-ing about this but as a Christian, I definitely need to know and be able to defend my faith if anyone uses it to attack me spiritually, or for whatever purpose.

I came across this comment from the second webbie which I find it rather interesting because it literally sums up whatever I want to say (I'm not a good writer,eh?  :P )

Jon

This has certainly turned into a storm of controversy hasn’t it. Allow me to add my two cents worth.

As a Christian for many years, it is absolutely normal for me to tithe(donate WILLINGLY) regularly without a single question of where the money goes to or how it will be used. And I’m glad to see how generous the CHC congregation is when it comes to the furthering of His kingdom. Even though I may not agree with some of the outcome of some projects(Sun’s latest music video China Wine which is certainly very questionable), by all means, it is in my belief that the money is in the hands of those entrusted by God and it’s use is for His glory.

1. However, I belief that even though the church belongs to God, it does not mean that the church is not subject to the law of the land. It is said in Mark 12:17, give unto Caesar, that which is Caesar’s. As Christians, we must still submit to the laws of the land. And if the authorities belief that there was wrongdoing in the eyes of the constitutional law of Singapore, it is our duty to cooperate with them and to let them do their duty without hindrance or oppression(yes, from Christians).

2. WHAT IF HE IS PROVEN GUILTY? Well, so what if he is guilty? He is but a man. Like each and every one of us. We as Christians make the mistake of mistaking God’s man as God by giving them more glory then they deserve, whether we realise it or not. Who of us has not fallen. I have had the chance to meet Ps Kong Hee and have a cup of coffee with him on a few occasions and I find him to be a man of God with great passion and wisdom. However, at the end of a day, he is but a man like anyone of us and subject to failure. This goes for Sun and the other members of the church staff that are currently under investigation. My main point here is that we have all sinned and fallen short because we are simply man trying our best to live Godly(Godlike) lives. It is God’s grace that has saved us and it is this very same grace that saves us. However, this does not mean that we do not acknowledge the sin and that disciplinary actions must be taken.

3. WHAT IF HE IS INNOCENT? By all means, all glory be given to God! However, we must look back on this incident which has cast a negative cloud over God and his people and by all means take preventive actions to prevent this from happening again.

In short, these are a few things that I believe we(everyone) should be doing now.

1. Stop coming to conclusions or making bold standing statements. Until the matter comes to a resolution, we should avoid letting emotions get the better of us.

2. Pray hard for those in custody. This matter needs to be resolved as soon as possible.

3. Pray hard for the church. It is at a time like this that the church as a whole needs to be united.

4. Pray for the authorities. They need clarity of mind at this time. Public views must not affect them and they must come to a conclusion soon, guilty or not.

5. Pray for ourselves. we should not react hastily to the accusations by others(Christians and non). Love and compassion should be shown to all. It really isn’t a case of us against them.

I really hope that this situation ends well.

With Love.

Jon

Oh, so sorry, I forgot about two points I wrote down earlier. These are more theological in nature.

1. There is the issue of CHC members believing that even though the monies being questioned now were used to channel Sun’s project, they are still fine with it because they are happy to invest in a church icon. Do mind, your intent was to give money to furthering God’s kingdom. I highly doubt that the outcome of those monies gave much glory to God. For example, the videos and the songs. Some of them were very questionable.

2. At the end of the day, why is everyone making such a fuss over a man? Our God is still, as always has been, a great and good. God.

Anyway, I have this book which is the recommended book by one of my church elders. It is called "One Hundred Bible Lessons" by Alban Douglas. In the chapter of "Abstinence, not Temperance",  there are a couple of bible verses quoted for absolute obedience to God in whatever we do.

1 Corinthians 6:19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Isaiah 55:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy? 
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, 
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.

There is an example for us to follow as Christian. It is in Daniel 1:8-20, which shows us that Daniel would rather eat be vegetarian than eat the king's portion and drink the king's wine so as not to defile himself. It is totally opposite to what the Kong family is doing now.

Of course, in the chapter "Consecration", it quoted that we should not offer ourselves according to worldly standards.

Romans 12:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I won't acknowledge that singing some worldly songs, living in expensive condo and Hollywood is for the heavenly rewards. Hence my previous post about their behavior as ambassadors of Christ is still questionable. Members of CHC, you may defend all you want but it clearly is not biblical. That is what most comments in "City Harvest, My Church" have been telling you.

Btw, the pastors will still be preaching on Sundays at CHC, which I'm not sure why. I believe it'll be tiring for the pastors to go through this mayhem and still prepare for Sunday sermon. Not only that, it would be quite unwise to make others think that they are going to talk about it or explain during sermon, right? Oh well, it may draw people to the congregation to hear what they have to say.

I guess all we can do now is pray for the above, and hope that it will be over soon.