Resolutions To Be Tabled At AGM On 19 June

IMPORTANT NOTE!
We notice that readers are referring to the Resolutions listed by us here as resolution No. 4 or 10 and so on. Please remember that the numbering has been assigned by us here for easy reading and may be totally different on AGM day in terms of sequence. For example, the resolution No.10 on review of membership may be the 2nd (or 4th or 7th etc) resolution to be tabled by the BOD at the AGM. Therefore, please pay close attention to the resolution being tabled during the AGM and vote wisely. Do not expect the Resolutions to be numbered as listed here in CT.

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Finally the BOD has decided to table all the Resolutions submitted by members. Below are the summary of 7 resolutions proposed by some concerned members, 3 resolutions by other members and 1 resolution by the Board of Deacons which will be tabled at the coming AGM on 19 June 2009.

1. PROPOSED RESOLUTION ON VOTING PROCESS OF THE AGM

Whereas, it is paramount that members be able to make decisions at this AGM without fear or favour;

Whereas, any allegation of improper voting processes may undermine the results of this AGM and should thus be avoided;

Therefore, RESOLVED,
that all resolutions of this AGM be voted on by secret ballot.

Rationale for this resolution:
Members at the AGM must be given the full right to exercise their votes without fear or favour. Making members stand up to vote exposes members to unfair and unjustifiable scrutiny. Moreover the leadership must have the opportunity to know the true feeling and decision of the congregation. This can only be achieved through voting by secret ballot.


2. PROPOSED RESOLUTION ON CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE AGM

Whereas, Rule IX(3) of the Church Constitution states as follows:
The Senior Pastor shall be the Chairman at all General Meetings. If at any such meeting the Senior Pastor is not able to be present, the Secretary of the Board of Deacons shall act as the Chairman of the Meeting.
In the case where the Senior Pastor is unwilling or where he deems it not conducive or inappropriate to perform his duty as Chairman, he may appoint a representative to act in his place. The representative must hold credentials with the Assemblies of God. If the Senior Pastor does not appoint a representative then the Executive Council of the Assemblies of God of Malaysia shall, upon the invitation of the Secretary of the Board of Deacons, appoint one of its Executive members to preside at such General Meeting.

Whereas, any allegations of conflict of interests during the AGM may arise from Senior Pastor chairing the AGM, thus undermining the proceedings and which must therefore be avoided;

Therefore, RESOLVED,
that one of the Associate Pastors of the Church be appointed for the purposes of chairing this AGM.

Rationale for this resolution:
Senior Pastor is no longer able to chair the AGM with impartiality and independence. He has vested interest in each and every decision to be made at the AGM. As such the AGM must be chaired by another person who holds credential with the AOG.


3. INTERVENTION OF AOG GENERAL COUNCIL

Whereas the Church is in a state of disunity and the continuing division for more than a year has rendered the Church unable to function as the Lord intends.

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED THAT:
1) pursuant to Rule XIII (2) of the Church Constitution, the General Council of the Assemblies of God of Malaysia be requested to appoint a caretaker committee composed of such Voting members of the Church and representatives from the General council as it deems fit. The caretaker committee shall be charged with the responsibility of managing the Church and its activities until the Church is deemed capable of managing its own affairs, and

2) pursuant to Rule XIII (1) of the Church Constitution, the Church Secretary shall minute and convey this decision to the General Council of the Assemblies of God of Malaysia forthwith.

Rationale for the resolution:
The conflict and division has gone on long enough. The pain and the hurt keep intensifying. Calvary Church needs healing and reconciliation and we need it now. The problems are unlikely to be resolved with the present leadership and the existing division.

Over the one year the division has gone deeper and wider. Instead of healing and reconciliation, each general meeting of members aggravated the situation even further, e.g. the EGM on 4th April 2009. If we allow the problems to persist unresolved, the situation will grow increasingly worse. We need outside intervention; someone with the necessary spiritual authority and seen to be adequately independent by both sides of the divide and with the necessary skills and expertise to help us resolve our problems. We need the General Council to step in immediately.

Our constitution provides for it. The intervention of the General Council would stop the escalating tension and division in the Church and would provide the opportunity for healing and reconciliation under an independent party. The General Council has the spiritual authority.


4. RATIFICATION OF SENIOR PASTOR’S REAPPPOINTMENT

Whereas Rule XI(1)(a) of the Constitution states, “The Senior Pastor shall be appointed by the Board of Deacons. The appointment shall be ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of the Voting members present at a General Meeting properly convened for that purpose. The appointment shall only be subject to a re-election at the request of the Board of Deacons or not less than two-thirds of the Voting members.”

Whereas it is the intention and spirit of Rule XI(1)(a) that the Senior Pastor enjoys wide support and acceptability by the members of the Church.

Whereas Section 2 of the Calvary Church Staff Handbook states that all the staff of the Church are classified into 3 categories, namely, Pastoral and Ministerial Staff, Office Staff and General/Technical Staff. The position of Senior Pastor falls within the category of “Pastoral and Ministerial Staff”, as it is also stated that “Senior Pastor heads the pastoral team (pastoral and ministerial team) comprising staff categories such as Senior Associate Pastors, Associate Pastors, Assistant Pastors and Ministerial Staff.”

Whereas Section 11 (1) of the Calvary Church Staff Handbook states that the Retirement Age of all Church Staff, with the exception of Pastors, will be 55 years of age. Section 11 (2) further states that the Retirement Age for Pastors will be 60 years of age.

Whereas Rev Prince Guneratnam had retired upon reaching the age of 60 years and had been reappointed by the Board of Deacons as Senior Pastor for an extended period. Such reappointment pursuant to Rule XI(1)(a) of the Constitution would be subject to ratification by not less than two-thirds of the Voting members present at a General Meeting.

Resolution
“It is hereby resolved that the reappointment of Rev Prince Guneratnam, upon his retirement, as Senior Pastor of Calvary Church, Kuala Lumpur, by the Board of Deacons be ratified by two-thirds of the voting members present at this AGM pursuant to Rule XI(1)(a) of the Constitution.”

Rationale for this resolution:
It is of utmost importance that the senior pastor enjoys the full support of the congregation. Therefore his reappointment must be put to the vote. An endorsement by at least two-thirds of the voting membership would indicate that he still enjoys the support he needs to continue as senior pastor. Failure to garner two-thirds of the votes would indicate the loss of confidence in the senior pastor.

CT Comments
This is the most controversial resolution. If less than two-thirds of the members vote in favour of this resolution, then SP has to leave. Do not be surprised if the pastors and deacons start warning members not to touch God’s anointed and quote scriptures, taken out of context, to frighten members. Remember that ALL Born Again, Bible-believing Christians are also anointed by God. The deacons had ‘shed first blood’ by terminating Dr Lum, a member/deacon anointed by God and this disqualifies them from preaching this.

There are many perspectives to this concept of “Touch Not God’s anointed”. Click on links in blue to read.

a) The NECF article “Touch Not the Lord’s Anointed!” at http://www.necf.org.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=2&action=view&retrieveid=1044,

b) “Touch not my anointed” at http://www.letusreason.org/Pent47.htm,

c) “How to fire your Pastor” at http://www.founders.org/journal/fj51/editorial.html,

d) “The Untouchables: Are God's Anointed Beyond Criticism?” at http://www.equip.org/articles/the-untouchables-are-god-s-anointed-beyond-criticism-,

e) “Touch not the Lord’s Anointed?” at http://www.christian-parents.net/Church/YC102_Touch_Not_Annointed.htm.

If SP is confident in his spirit that he is still God’s anointed to lead Calvary, then he should be able to sleep easy in the next 2 weeks. If he and the pastors and deacons are not able to rest in the Lord, then they ought to examine themselves because nothing the members do can thwart the will of God.


5. CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Whereas a Constitution Review Committee had been established by the Board of Deacons to review the existing constitution, its composition is deemed to be unrepresentative and not adequately independent; plus its scope is limited.

Whereas the existing Church Constitution, incorporating Rules, By-Laws and Tenets of Faith amended in 1985 is no longer adequate for the present-day running of the Church and had to be updated and expanded, that there is a need for a new independent Constitution Review Committee to be established.

Therefore: RESOLVED
that the present Constitution Review Committee to be dismissed and a new Constitution Review Committee to be established to review the existing Church Constitution and to make recommendations to the members at General Meeting for amendments, additions and deletions to the Constitution for the improvements of Church organization structure, church governance, accountability and transparency, operational efficiencies and to safeguard the assets of the Church.

The Committee shall report its proposals and recommendations to the members at a General Meeting within 91 days from this AGM.

The Committee shall comprise 7 members nominated and elected at this AGM from among the members of the Church. The 7 members shall not include deacons, pastors and staff of the Church. A member of the Committee shall be elected from among themselves by a simple majority vote to be the Chairman of the Committee and he shall have a casting vote in the event of equality of votes. The Committee shall determine its own terms of reference, time-table and work reporting procedures and processes.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the existing Constitution granting the Senior Pastor the right to be an ex-officio member of all committees in the Church, the Senior Pastor shall not be a member of this committee.

Rationale for this resolution:
After almost 9 months there is no evidence of the effectiveness of the Board appointed committee. The committee must have the skills and competency and the independence to do a fair and balanced job. They must not be seen to be protecting the status quo. To go forward the constitution must be reviewed and amended such that the work and ministries of the Church can proceed efficiently and effectively whilst giving substance to the fact that we are a congregational church. The constitution must have adequate checks and balances to provide for good church governance. The separation of powers and improvements in the system of internal control would help protect the leadership from unwise decisions and practices. As such a new committee must be elected by the AGM.


6. TRUTH COMMITTEE

Whereas many questions had been raised about the finance and accounts of the Church and its components arising from inadequate accountability and transparency, there is a need for a Truth Committee to be established.

RESOLVED:
“Resolved that a Truth Committee be established by this Annual General Meeting to review the financial statements, accounts and accounting records including but not limited to minutes, vouchers, band statements, documents of ownership, correspondence and reports of the Church, its Missions Department, the extended ministries, auxiliary ministries, outreaches and all other components related to, principally financed by, or controlled or managed by Calvary Church or its personnel including Calvary International Ministry and Care Relief and Development Agency (CARED).

In carrying out its work, the Committee shall have the full power of the Board of Deacons as conferred by the Church Constitution including the power to appoint outside professionals to assist in its work.

The Committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the members at a General Meeting within 91 days from this AGM.

The Committee shall comprise 7 members nominated and elected at this AGM from among the members of the Church. The 7 members shall not include deacons, pastors and staff of the Church. A member of the Committee shall be elected from among themselves by a simple majority vote to be the Chairman of the Committee and he/she shall have a casting vote in the event of equality of votes. The Committee shall determine its own terms of reference, time-table and work and reporting procedures and processes.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Church Constitution granting the Senior Pastor the right to be an ex-officio member of all committees in the Church, the Senior Pastor shall not be a member of this committee.”

Rationale for this resolution:
All these months the Board had managed the information flow to the members; starting with the so-called reports from the forensic accountant and the criminal lawyer. Even the report from the church auditors on the special audit was controlled by the Board. We need an independent committee to look into all the alleged irregularities and come out with a complete and independent report to the members.


7. REMOVAL OF DR LUM FROM CHURCH MEMBERSHIP TO BE DECLARED NULL AND VOID

Whereas Rule VIII(1) of the Church Constitution states, “The Right to discipline Church members shall vest in the Board of Deacons (BOD). The names of those who walk disorderly and depart from the stated Tenets of Faith and are unrepentant of unscriptural conduct such as sexual immorality and fraud, etc. shall be removed from the Church Membership Roll, by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Deacons with the counsel of the Church Elders.”

Whereas, the BOD has BREACHED and FAILED to comply to the said Rule VIII, Item 1.:-
I) The rule consist of three elements to be satisfied conjunctively in order for a member to be validly removed vis-à-vis
i) walk disorderly; and
ii) depart from the stated Tenets of Faith and
iii) unrepentant of unscriptural conduct

II) The rule also requires the decision of the BOD to be made together WITH the counsel of the Church Elders.

Whereas, the BOD has BREACHED and FAILED to comply with the Rules of Natural Justice in removing Dr Lum from membership.

Whereas, members are concerned that the BOD appears to sanction the use of their non-compliance of the Rules; and unreasonable interpretation of the Rules and questionable methods in the removal of its members.

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED THAT:
i) the decision made by the Board of Deacons on 19th March 2009 in removing Dr.Lum Siew Heng’s name from the Church Membership Roll to be declared NULL and VOID; and
ii) the Church Constitution to be amended to include detailed provisions on disciplinary committee, functions and procedures.

Rationale for this resolution:
The process leading to the removal of Dr Lum from church membership was against the rules of natural justice primarily because the Panel of Inquiry was not independent or impartial. He was not allowed proper representation and the findings of the Panel were not proper as the Board of Deacons had earlier already indicated that they had decided to remove him from membership, even way before the Panel was formed. Therefore the decision of the Board must be declared to be null and void by the members at the AGM.


8. RESOLUTION IN RESPECT OF FOUR INTERNET BLOGS
(submitted by other members, no rationale provided)

Whereas, there have been articles and comments written on the various blogs which are disrespectful of our leaders, pastors, members and worshippers and/or causes divisions amongst our members.

Whereas, we feel that the continued publication of our church matters on the public domain is totally unacceptable.

We, the members therefore RESOLVE:
(a) That the following blogs, CALVARY TODAY, BERITA CALVARY,CALVARY KINI and CALVARY UNITY be closed within 3 days from 19th June 2009 i.e. by 22 June 2009.

b) That failure to close the said blogs by 22 June 2009 be deemed as contravening the wishes of the Church members and leadership of our elected leaders and that the Board of Deacons do investigate and take firm disciplinary actions against person(s) connected in anyway whatsoever to the blog that remains open.

c) That any member found disseminating slanderous and untrue information about the church through public domain be subject to disciplinary action from the Board of Deacons.


9. ANOTHER RESOLUTION PERTAINING TO THE FOUR BLOGS
(submitted by other members, no rational provided)

Whereas, the existence of these blogs are unacceptable.

Whereas, it is also acknowledge that there is a need for members to have a platform to discuss, debate and deliberate various issues within a private environment that will not impede the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Whereas, it is essential that deacons open an appropriate channel for such discussions by setting up an official private blog for Calvary Church members or enabling comments within http://www.calvary.org.my/ or something similar.

We, the members therefore RESOLVE:
I) That the following blogs, CALVARY TODAY, BERITA CALVARY, CALVARY KINI and CALVARY UNITY be closed within 5 days of this General Meeting, held on 19th June 2009

II) That the process of the closure be as follows:
To cease posting new articles immediately after this General Meeting
To disable comments in the blogs immediately after this General Meeting
To delete the blog in its entirety by 24 June 2009

III) That except as resolved above, no new blogs that discuss or invite discussion on matters that pertains to Calvary Church be set up in the public domain.

IV) That the Board of Deacons immediately creates a platform for real-time discussion of church matter within a member-only environment.

CT Comments
The 4 blogs do not belong to Calvary Church and therefore, technically, the members are NOT in a position to vote on the above 2 similar resolutions. Conducting a vote on this matter is similar to asking the members to vote to shut down the New Straits Times or the Star.

It is strange that the proposers included Berita Calvary in this resolution. Berita Calvary does not discuss our church issues, it only publishes inspirational articles and testimonies meant to edify the body of Christ. Why would they want to close a blog that builds faith in God and propagates the gospel?

The proposal that the Board of Deacons establish a blog or discussion forum for members to voice their comments is good provided that we have a Board which is independent, mature, open to criticisms and willing to listen to the members, otherwise it will be a failure. These 2 resolutions are also barking at the wrong tree. The blogs exist because of the unresolved saga in Calvary Church. Once the church issues are resolved, the blogs will die a natural death.


10. RESOLUTION ON REVIEW OF MEMBERSHIP ROLLS
(submitted by other members, no rationale provided)

Whereas, it is known that there are many Voting Members who have openly declared that they will not contribute or are currently not contributing to Calvary Church by:-

a. Not attending Sunday Services, Friday Night Prayer meetings and Life Groups; and /or
b. Not giving Tithes, Faith Promises or Offerings; and/or
c. Actively involved in ministry

However, these persons still retain full privileges as Voting Members

We hereby RESOLVE;
That the Board of Deacons do re-examine the membership roll and review the status of those Voting Members who are not contributing to the church.

CT Comments
This resolution, if approved, will result in easily more than 80% of the church members getting sacked. Most of the members attend 1 or 2 out of the 3 meetings mentioned and this will disqualify them to be members based on the above criteria which requires members to attend all 3 meetings.

On financial giving, many members pay tithes and faith promise pledges without stating their names on the envelopes and nobody puts in their offerings with their names written on the ringgit notes. It is therefore, impossible for the deacons to determine who gives and who does not. This criteria will disqualify the poor members, the housewives who have no income, students, maids and poor foreign workers. Is this what our church wants – kick out the poor and minister only to the rich?

Money should never be the yardstick for church membership for any true Christian church.. We cannot imagine any Calvarite supporting a ‘worldly materialistic’ resolution like this. It is shocking that someone would even propose a resolution like this.

On ministry involvement, there is no clear definition of what is meant by “involvement”. In Calvary, members are handpicked for the main ministries. No member can walk up to the pastors and volunteer to serve communion, for example. This criteria is too ambiguous and difficult for any Board of Deacons to establish.


11. Proposed amendment to Church Constitution RULE XII: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS, Item 3a, 3b and 3c. (submitted by Board of Deacons)

It is hereby resolved that RULE XII: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS, Item 3a, 3b and 3c be amended by deleting Items 3a, 3b and 3c and substituting the same with the following:-

a. External Auditors shall be nominated by the Board of Deacons and shall be elected at a General Meeting by a simple majority vote.

b. The Board of Deacons is authorized to fix their remuneration.

c. The External Auditors shall be approved audit firms pursuant to the Companies Act 1965. The assignment partner of the firm shall not be a member of Calvary Church.

d. The External Auditors shall not hold office for more than five consecutive years unless otherwise approved at the Annual General Meeting.e. The External Auditors shall be required to audit the annual accounts of
(i) The Church
(ii) Missions Department
(iii) Individual Extended Ministries
(iv) Any other ministries as determined by the Board of Deacons and issue their report to be received at the Annual General Meeting.

f. The External Auditors may also be required by the Board of deacons to audit the accounts of the Church for any period within their tenure of office at any date, and to make a report to the Board of Deacons.

CT Comments
This resolution seeks to amend the above section in the Constitution to allow the appointment of external auditors to audit our Church accounts.
This resolution is a revised version of the resolution which was tabled at the recent EGM that was rejected by members. This new revised version is more or less, in line with the changes proposed by the TTG group. We are of the opinion that it should be supported by members.