The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Calvary Church held recently on 25 May 2012 was a tame affair in the absence of the 7 concerned TTG members, who have been removed from the Church Membership for the second time.


The Membership Roll

The remnant 7 TTG members who had, a few years earlier filed a Suit against Senior Pastor Prince Guneratnam (PG) and his Board of Deacons on various Church Constitutional matters after the exposure of questionable transfers of Church funds to PG’s Personal Ministry’s Bank Accounts, had their membership reinstated by the Court during the course of legal process.

The 7 members do not know exactly when their memberships were removed this second time around but it is believed that it was done after the 2011 AGM. As with the sacking of the 400+ members in 2010, no reason was given for their removal and neither were any of the 7 members notified of their removal.

The entire episode of the crisis in the Church would have put most pastors to shame and humbled them but alas, PG has remained steadfast in his pride and arrogance. This arbitrary and unconstitutional act of removing Church membership without cause or reason is a classic example of PG’s continued high-handedness.

A total of 439 Voting Members attended the recent AGM. All the usual AGM items on the Agenda were considered and approved by the members without much fanfare.

Three (3) deacons, namely Stephen Liu, Chow Sang Hoe and Puan Chek Keck were elected at the AGM. Stephen Liu and Chow Sang Hoe were seeking re-election while Puan Chek Kuan was a first time elected Deacon. He replaces Edward Rajasingam, who did not wish to seek re-election, citing his job posting overseas as the reason. The other 4 existing deacons are David Peter, Ngeow Zoo Gin, Helen Read and Bernadette Foo.


Church Treasurer's Report

Deacon Bro Edward, in his report as the Church Treasurer, mentioned that the Church Income went up in 2011 compared to 2010. The Tithes went up 10% from RM5.30m to RM6.09 while Contributions to Building Fund went up 40% from RM4.58m to RM8.39m. He alluded the big increase of RM3.81m in Contributions to Building Fund to the “congregation rising in faith, Journey to Jerusalem trips and other fund raising activities” without furnishing the full details.

On close scrutiny of the Annual Report, Missions Report and Financial Report of the Extended Ministries, it is clear that out of the RM3.81m increase, a total of  RM2,122,836 was actually from Internal Fund Transfers, as listed below :

1) RM765,310 was transferred from Calvary Communication Ministry’s accumulated funds, 
2) RM1,357,526 was transferred from Missions Funds which is from Faith Promise offerings received.

The main purpose for the Internal Transfers was most likely to shore up the Income of the Church so that the Church’s capacity to borrow is not affected as the Church continues to seek further loans to complete the Calvary Convention Centre (CCC).


Legal & Professional Fees

During question time, a member queried about the expenses of RM100,000 in the accounts classified as “Legal & Professional Fees”. Bro Edward explained that it was a lump sum fees paid to the lawyer engaged by the Church for a Court case that the Church was involved in.

Bro Edward did not clarify the fact that the “court case the Church was involved in” was actually the legal suit filed by the 7 concerned members against PG and the Deacons in their personal capacity. Since the legal suit was not against the Church, it is a misrepresentation to state that it was a “court case that the Church was involved in”.

Since the case is not against the Church, the legal fees should have been borne by PG and the Deacons personally and not paid from Church funds. This is a clear abuse or misuse of Church funds by PG and the Deacons and maybe grounds for a case for CBT.


Church Auditors' expressed "Emphasis of Matter"

Another member, Bro Samuel expressed his concern about the Church Auditors, Baker Tilly Monteiro Heng’s ‘Emphasis of Matter” opinion in the audited accounts, wherein they expressed their concern that whilst the Church has contracted capital expenditure of RM101,067,886 in relation to the construction of Calvary Convention Centre (CCC) as at 31st December 2011, the total balance of the church’s fixed deposits and bank balances is only RM9,388,744.

PG responded that “if everyone of us plays our part….. we won’t need to worry about finances” and promptly told Bro Samuel to make sure his Tithes and offering are coming in.


Other Matters

The meeting continued with a short presentation on the CCC by Deacon Bro Zoo Gin. After that, Pastor David and Pastor Richard presented the Church’s growth plan and their goal and vision as a fountain-head church to achieve a life group membership of 25,600 with 2,880 life group cells by year 2017.

The last item on the AGM Agenda was the tabling of Resolutions for appointment of Auditors and for ratification of the Resolution pertaining to the Dispute Resolution Provision, earlier tabled at the previous AGM on 27 June 2011. This Resolution was originally approved by the members at the AGM last year but was subsequently rejected by the AG Malaysia, following a complaint of non-compliance of Church Constitution filed by one of the concerned members, Sis Liza. The Resolutions were approved.


Listen to the audio clip highlighting some questions and responses during the AGM.

Coming article in July: Is PG planning his escape?