Questions That Shroud The CC SAGA (CT)

A certain Datin from Calvary Church is going around the Christian community to recruit prayer warriors to pray against the TTG and CT.  A sister from another church was approached by this Datin, who (with her husband, Ray) are good friends of Senior Pastor Prince and Sister Petrina.  This other church sister did not know what to make of such an "un-Christian"  request.  Christians are taught to pray even for our enemies.  How come Christians are being recruited to pray against other Christians?

She brought this up with another Calvarite who is presently seeking religious asylum in her church.  This Calvarite explained to her that the TTG would not respond to such unchristian behavior and assured her that the TTG had not been praying against anyone.  Instead they have been praying for the church, the pastors, the deacons and fellow Calvarites and have consistently encouraged others to pray similarly.


However, the other church sister was disturbed by the newspaper reports and wondered if there was any way to avert the bad publicity that had been generated.  From the questions asked, it was obvious that the sister was ignorant of the issues behind the Calvary saga.  Therefore CT felt the need to re-inform Calvarites and the Christian community on what had happened in Calvary Church these past two years.  The following FAQs are extracted from materials available in our archives.

Q1.  What started the crisis and how did it start?

A.  At the 2007 AGM, in response to two questions asked by a Concerned Member, Senior Pastor Prince Guneratnam (PG) told members that Calvaryland, a social concern project with assets worth about RM17 million, and the ten “Extended Ministries” included in the organization chart were not reflected in the accounts and financial statements of the church.   

Subsequently, the Concerned Member met with two Associate Pastors, three Deacons and the secretary of the Missions committee to understand why this was so.  He then wrote to the Board of Deacons or BOD in December 2007 to request that this be corrected and that the accounts of Calvaryland and the Extended Ministries be given to the members at the next AGM.  (Read the letter in CT,  The Extended Ministries”.)   

Instead of responding to him, PG announced to a meeting of Church leaders on 1-03-08 that the Extended Ministries did not belong to the church and what is given to Missions must not be questioned by the givers.  This started members questioning how it could be that ministries like the selling of DVDs, the Prayer Tower, the Bookshop, the Home Schooling centre (CERC), the counseling service (CLM), the short term Bible School (AIM), the Calvary printing press and of course, the RM17 million Calvaryland project not belong to the church.  The ministries were funded by the church from our giving and managed by personnel from the church.  If they do not belong to the church who do they belong to?  The quick answer from PG was that they were independent.

At the 2008 AGM, members were told in no uncertain terms that the accounts of the Extended Ministries would not be given to the members because these ministries did not belong to the church. This stand was taken by PG even after our Church Auditor told the meeting that the accounts of the Extended Ministries should be consolidated with the main church accounts or annexed thereto. After a lengthy debate an Associate Pastor called for a vote.  Surprise! Surprise! The majority of members voted that the accounts of the Extended Ministries must be given to the members.  For the first time the members voted against the stand of the Senior Pastor.  

So at the 2009 AGM, members received the accounts of the Extended Ministries as annexed to the main accounts.  The above are facts which PG and the Board could not deny.  However, there remained unanswered questions:

a) Why did PG and BOD decide that the Extended Ministries did not belong to the Church when the funding came from the Church and the ministries were managed by personnel from the Church?

b) Why was this not made known to the members earlier?

c) Why were the members not asked to approve this unusual decision?

d) What was the motive to keep them as independent of the Church and thereby not needed to submit the accounts to the members?

e) If these ministries did not belong to the church then to whom do they belong to?

f) Why the reluctance to be transparent and accountable for these activities which are all part of the Church ministries?

The 2009 accounts of the extended ministries showed the following:

Extended Ministries	Person-in-charge	Accumulated  Fund	Cash & Bank Balance
Asian Institute of Ministries	Pam Guneratnam	50,565	45,368
Calvary Book Corner	Jim Guneratnam	84,865	76,868
Calvary Caring Ministry	Rev Yow Kit Yen	48.459	49,756
Calvary Communication	Jim Guneratnam	1,006,333	842,408
Calvary Church Press	Ps Jerry Chow	29,457	33,559
Calvary Edu Resource Ctr	Katherine Lee	270,239	94,839
Calvary Life Ministries	Pam Guneratnam	596,663	562,196
Calvary Prayer Tower	Ps Timothy Ong	28,053	27,510
Calvary Relief & Devt Agency	Ps Steven Kum	360,365	360,400
Calvaryland Fund	Ps Shireen Wong	6,390,438*	192,133
Creative Arts Centre	Ps Christopher Lee**	41,189	44,666
Calvary Sunshine Home	Rev Sally Leong	83,191	89,134

*Cost of land not included.  Market value about RM10 million.

**Husband of Pam Guneratnam.

Q2.  Since the accounts of the Extended Ministries are now given to the members why is the crisis continuing?

A.  The Extended Ministries appeared to be settled when the members forced PG to give the accounts.  However, in the process of following up on the detailed accounts of the Missions department, four other Concerned Members discovered the “CIM transactions”. 

Calvary International Ministries or CIM was set up in 2002 as PG’s personal ministry.  At that time, the Church contributed RM30,000 to CIM as an anniversary gift to PG for his 30 years of service.  This was announced to the Church, so we all knew about the RM30,000.  However, the four Concerned Members discovered that about RM1.9 million was subsequently transferred from the Missions Department to CIM  from 2002 to 2007. This sum comprise of an annual transfer of RM200,000 from 2004 to 2007 and another RM500,000 of Designated Offerings. The Church and the members were never informed of these transfers.

The transfers stopped in 2008 when these secret transfers were exposed by the TTG.  The first Concerned Member then wrote to the PG and the BOD suggesting a way to resolve the issue and for the Church to move forward. (Read the letter   “Healing and Reconciliation" 3rd Update)

Even with the unexpected exposure, the BOD refused to acknowledge any mistake or wrong doing. They even engaged a forensic accountant and a criminal lawyer to vindicate themselves.  So at the EGM in August 2008, PG made it abundantly clear that the money given to CIM, would be kept in the CIM bank account to fulfill the objectives of CIM.

Subsequently, in November 2008, PG announced that the RM1.1 million still in CIM bank account would be “released” back to the Church.  It was NOT a change of heart.  After investigating a complaint from a Concerned Member, NECF concluded that CIM did not qualify to be a member of NECF.  CIM was then removed as a member of NECF.   The Assemblies of God General Council then investigated and concluded that there was some misrepresentation when CIM applied for NECF membership.  With its membership in NECF removed CIM could not maintain a bank account.  The balance RM1.1 must be moved.  So PG had no choice but to return it to the Church.  

Although the money is now in the Church account we suspect that it is still earmarked for PG’s use, at his discretion.  Nothing has changed despite all these revelations and disclosures. 

The unanswered questions are:

a) When the transfers were highlighted to the BOD by the four Concerned Members initially, the BOD appeared to be ignorant of the transactions.  However, they now claim that these transfers were approved by the BOD.  How come?

b) If the funds in CIM are only to finance PG’s international travels, why were the transfers (RM200,000) so much higher than his yearly travelling expenses of about RM50,000?  

c) Why did the BOD agree to build up the fund in CIM continuously at the rate of about RM150,000 a year?

d) If not exposed would the transfers have continued indefinitely?

e) If there was nothing wrong with the transfers, why the fanfare on the first RM30,000 and then the secrecy on the subsequent RM1.9 million?

Q3.  Whatever it is, the money has now come back to the Church.  Why are you all still unsatisfied?  

A.  The issues of the Extended Ministries and CIM are just symptoms of a more crucial problem in Calvary Church.  It is the almost absolute power that PG can exercise.  With his control of the Board of Deacons, everything he does, can be ratified by the BOD later even though they were not aware of it earlier.  For example, he made a unilateral decision to give a love gift of US$10,000 to Pastor Guynes for chairing an EGM.  He then had it confirmed by the Board later.   There are no checks and balances.  To have better governance the Constitution must be changed.  (Read the article,  The Need for Constitutional Amendments”)

Another fundamental issue is the extra-constitutional powers and authority of the Missions Department. This department which receives all our Faith Promise giving, monthly Missions offerings and Designated offerings, amounting to a few million ringgit a year is not covered by the Church Constitution. It operates from a Missions Manual which had not been approved by the Church members. Most members did not even know of its existence.  The BOD also has little or no control over its decisions and operations.  PG cleverly removed the BOD from having oversight of the money in the Missions Department.  He and the Missions Director, who is appointed by him, has control over this Missions money.  The operation of the Missions Department must be covered by the Constitution.  

Questions that still need to be asked:

a) Why did the BOD not insist that the Missions Manual be approved by the members?

b) Why the auditors who are all professionals allowed this deception to continue for so many years?

c) Why is the BOD supporting PG in maintaining the status quo when it is so obvious that the Constitution must be changed?

Q4.  Why can’t the Constitution be changed without all these bad publicity?

A.  The Concerned Members first tried to get the BOD to look at the Constitution through a Petition signed by 158 members submitted to the BOD on 15.03.2008, just before the 2008 AGM. The petition appealed to the BOD to review the Constitution with the view of improving governance.  There was no response from PG or the BOD.  

From then till 15.07.2008 various Concerned Members met with PG and the BOD in the hope of getting an Independent Committee to be set up to review the Constitution but without any success. Subsequently, on 15.07.2008 another Petition supported by 146 signatures was submitted to the BOD.   In addition to the independent Truth Committee and Constitution Review Committee, another request was submitted for PG to retire as Senior Pastor of the Church as he had already reached the retirement of 60 years old.  Again there was no response from PG or the BOD.

  

When the BOD called for an EGM on 15.08.08 to explain the CIM transactions, seven Resolutions were submitted for tabling before the members.  The resolutions called for the setting up of a Truth Committee, a Constitution Review Committee and for the members to ratify PG’s reappointment as Senior Pastor since PG has passed the retirement age of 60 years pursuant to the Church Staff Handbook.  All the resolutions were rejected by the BOD and were not tabled.    

Similar Resolutions were again submitted to the 2009 AGM held on 15.06.2009.  Once again PG and the BOD rejected the Resolutions submitted by the Concerned Members from being tabled for the members to vote on.

Besides trying to get the issues to be placed before the members of the church, we had also tried to get the AOG General Council to resolve the issues.  However, they seem unable or unwilling to act. 

The Unanswered questions:

a) As a Congregational Church, why are the members not allowed to decide on such important decisions?

b) Why is the AOG allowing PG and the BOD to exercise such powers that take away the rights of members?

c) Why is PG and the BOD afraid to face the members’ decision when the TTG are prepared to accept whatever the members should decide on? 

Q5.  Have you tried to get help from the Assemblies of God (AOG)?

A.  The AOG had been kept informed from the very beginning and appeals have been made for them to intervene to stop the escalating conflict.  However, for whatever reason they may have, they are unwilling or unable to do so.  In fact the Deputy General Superintendent chaired the AGM at which the seven Resolutions were thrown out.  You must remember that PG was General Superintendent for 26 years and is now the General Superintendant Emeritus.  He is the biggest "shot" in AOG world in Malaysia.  Also the AOG is controlled by pastors and they may have an unintentional but natural biasness.

If you look at the AOG Constitution and the Calvary Church Constitution you would notice that Calvary Church is not in compliance with the requirements of the AOG.  Yet the CC Constitution was approved by the AOG and no one in the AOG dares to even raise the issue. Make a comparison yourself. For the AOG Constitution go to http://www.ag.org.my/ to download a copy. All Calvary Church members can get a copy of the Calvary Church Constitution from the Church office.

Q6.  What about NECF?

A.  They actually have no authority over PG.  They can only persuade.  We were told that they tried to mediate but without success.  Again remember PG was the Chairman for 8 years and is now the Advisor to the NECF Council.

Q7.  What about AOG America?

A.  AOG Malaysia is not under AOG USA.   Letters had been copied to various leaders in AOG USA but  no response was received from them.  A Concerned Member actually wrote to Pastor Delmer Guynes after he came to chair the EGM on 15.08.08.  He did not even get the common courtesy of a reply.  Instead Guynes wrote an Open Letter to the members saying that there is nothing wrong in getting CCC designed by a freemason.  What he said in the letter was totally out of what was requested of him.

Q8.  Why go to court?  Are you not afraid of 1 Corinthians 6:4?

A.  You must have heard that a verse taken out of context is a pretext.  Most Christians have not made a study of this verse much less have a proper understanding of why, when and under what circumstances Apostle Paul made that statement.  CT did.  (To read the three articles   “Christian Lawsuit  by Dr Paul Nah”, “Christian Involvement in Lawsuits by Dr George Wood”,  “When It’s Right to go to court by Doug Goins”, click on:  LAW  AND THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE         

CT is convinced that Christians are not barred from taking another Christian to the secular Court, but it has to be the last resort.   We believe the plaintiffs had cleared the five questions asked by George Wood in his paper before proceeding to Court.  After all they are not suing anyone for anything.  They are merely asking the Court to declare the 2009 AGM null and void and for the seven Resolutions to be tabled before the members for a vote. 

Q9.  But why go to the newspaper?

A.  If you heard that a group of Concerned Members marched to the Star office and demanded that they publish their article, then you have been lied to.  No one went to the Star office.  Two reporters were sent by the Star to interview one of the TTG at his office.  This story is of public interest.  CC attracts people from the public to attend its events and also collects money from the public at the CCC fund raisers and events held in the stadiums.  The public has the right to be assured that there is accountability and transparency in the Church.

Q10.  Is it true that money collected for the Indonesian Earthquake ended up in CIM?

A.   Absolutely.  The money was never sent to Indonesia.  It was kept in the Missions department and later ended up in CIM.  This money came from the public. 

Q11.  What about the other items alleged in the newspaper article?

A.  They are all true.  For the church secretary to say that they are baseless was a blatant lie.  The transactions did take place.  They tried their best to explain them away; usually by saying that the Board had approved them.   These attempts to explain are recorded in the minutes which proved that the transactions took place. Furthermore, by the fact that they did not openly deny those transaction but to merely state that the Board approved it shows that the transactions were real and true.

Q12.  Why the demo?

A.  After 400 members were sacked we could turn to no one to help us.  The sacking was to stop the members from attending the AGM, asking questions on the accounts and submitting Resolutions to be tabled at the AGM.  When you cannot get help from anyone the only choice is to make it known publicly.  Maybe the Christian public and the leaders would wake up and do something.  It is not just about the 400 sacked members.  It is about the integrity and abuse of powers in a Christian Church.

Q13.  Have you tried mediation and arbitration?

A.  In November 2009 a prominent Calvarite and the AOG General Superintendant arranged for the two sides to meet.  The place, time and date were all agreed.  Just two days before the meeting PG said “the date is not convenient”.  That date was agreed to by him at least a week before but suddenly it was not convenient.  He does not want to meet because meeting means compromise, give and take.  He is not prepared to give anything.  He wants to keep the status quo with him having full and complete control of the Church.

Q14. If PG is so bad why are the Deacons and Associate Pastors still supporting him?

A.   They don’t have much of a choice.  They were made to swear an oath of total allegiance and secrecy.  As they supported PG initially in some not so clear violations, they got slowly slowly sucked in.  Before you know it they are too deep to come out.  They are also not allowed to read the CT blog, or talk to anyone from the TTG side or talk to independent parties about the problems.  They have put fear in people by labeling the TTG as evil and satanic. That is why you have a Datin from the Church now recruiting prayer warriors to pray against TTG, even to the point of approaching Christians from other Churches to join in their Crusade. The question that arises is,

a) What does the Datin expect these prayer warriors to say to God? 

b) Is it wrong to ask the Pastor and  Church leadership for TRUTH, TRANSPARENCY AND GODLY GOVERNANCE in the Church?

c) Would any God fearing Christian approach the throne of God with a prayer that calls down "hell, fire and brimstones" on another person, let alone another child of God?

It had been suggested to the Deacons and Associate Pastors to find out and understand the truth from the Concerned Members.  So far none of them dared or bothered to. It was also suggested that they meet with the prominent Calvarite to find out the truth about what happened to the meeting, either individually or as a group. He is willing to make time so that he is easily accessible to any one of them. Again none of them dared or bothered to.  So the Deacons and the Pastors only know what PG wants them to know.

Q15.  What next?

A.  We don’t know.  The Concerned Members are led by God one step at a time.  Only He knows.

Q16.  What should you do?

A.  You should query the Deacons and the Associate Pastors on the statements made by CT above.  Ask them for explanations and answers to the unanswered questions.  Do not allow them to brush you away with general statements like, “The allegations are all baseless.”  Ask them which part is baseless and put their reply on CT.  CT would then respond to them.

Please continue to pray for :

a)  The character of our Lord Jesus Christ to be evident in His people and in His church.  

b) Righteousness, holiness and Christian love to return to Calvary Church.  

c) All the parties involved that they will be enlightened with the truth and that they will have the courage to respond and act according to the truth.

d)  The Will and Purposes of God to be fulfilled and accomplished soon in this whole saga, so that His people and His church will be purified and ready for a great revival in Malaysia. 

(Posted in Berita Calvary also)