We are thankful to God for all that He has done for us from the very humble beginnings of CT till today where we have past the 200,000 hits mark on 24th August. In 4 days time, on 4 September 2009, we will reach another milestone - The 1st Anniversary of Calvary Today. However, it is not with rejoicing that we write this post . Our hearts are heavy as we read the latest comment by Dr Vijay in the previous post and this is what he wrote,
Dear Friends in Calvary Church.
Some of you have written and asked me some important questions which I believe is also in the minds of others. For the benefit of others here are a list of questions posed:
1 I have put so much of hope in the 19th JUNE AGM to resolve the problems within Calvary but now it is a failure. It has only made things worse.
2."SHOULD I LEAVE CALVARY?"
3."HAS GOD FORGOTTEN US?"
4."PERHAPS GOD IS PUNISHING US FOR WASHING OUR CHURCH DIRTY LAUNDRY IN PUBLIC!"
5."MAYBE CHRISTIANITY DOES NOT WORK. ALL THIS GOD TALK IS JUST A SILLY PSYCHOLOGICAL ESCAPE FROM REALITY!"
6."I HAVE LOST MY FAITH IN GOD!"
7."I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH GOD!"
No! No! No!
Dearest friends, GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOUR CRY. He is WORKING BEHIND THE SCENE.
I speak from personal experience. You need to understand the WAYS OF GOD - especially the principles of intercession. Study the Bible and you will see that after a crisis event, it often appears the Lord has deserted His people. But KNOW - it is only apparent!
The Concerned Group of Church Members have been in prayer since the last AGM for God's guidance and leading. Many of our local pastors and friends have also expressed that they are continually praying for us. We have also received news from friends that there are 70 pastors in India who have not stopped praying for us, and as such, we Calvarites must continue to labour on in prayer for our Church.
Today, as we join with our nation to celebrate our 52nd Independence Day or Hari Merdeka, we would like to borrow Daniel's Prayer from the Old Testament and make it our own prayer to God for ourselves as we step into a new threshold of maturity in our spritual understanding as we faithfully walk with God. Pay close attention to Daniel 9: 15 - 19 and cry out to God with sincere hearts.
Daniel's Prayer
1 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom—
2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.
3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands,
5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.
6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
7 Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame— the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.
8 O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.
9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;
10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets.
11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.
12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.
13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favour of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.
14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.
15 Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong.
16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem (Calvary Church), your city (church), your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem (Calvary Church) and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
17 Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favour on your desolate sanctuary.
18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city (church) that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.
19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city (church) and your people bear your Name.
Daniel 9: 15 - 19 (The Message)
15 "'Master, you are our God, for you delivered your people from the land of Egypt in a show of power—people are still talking about it! We confess that we have sinned, that we have lived bad lives.
16 Following the lines of what you have always done in setting things right, setting people right, please stop being so angry with Jerusalem (Calvary Church), your very own city (church), your holy mountain. We know it's our fault that this has happened, all because of our sins and our parents' sins, and now we're an embarrassment to everyone around us. We're a blot on the neighborhood.
17 So listen, God, to this determined prayer of your servant. Have mercy on your ruined Sanctuary. Act out of who you are, not out of what we are.
18 "'Turn your ears our way, God, and listen. Open your eyes and take a long look at our ruined city (church), this city (church) named after you. We know that we don't deserve a hearing from you. Our appeal is to your compassion. This prayer is our last and only hope:
19 "'Master, listen to us! Master, forgive us! Master, look at us and do something! Master, don't put us off! Your city (church) and your people are named after you: You have a stake in us!'
In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Interesting Audio Clips from AGM
Posted on 29/8/09 - Read the latest comments by Bamboo Conspiracy (Comment no 243). Click on "Comment" at the end of this Post and then click "NEWEST" and then scroll down to read the latest comments.
Click here to view the latest in You Tube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0i4d_hEVis
******************************************
As requested by some members who were unable to attend the AGM last Friday and Saturday, we have decided to include here some extracts of the audio recording of the AGM so that you can understand the feelings and exasperation of members seeking for truth, transparency and Godly governance in our church during the Meeting. As the task of listening and editing the recording is a tedious process, we will be updating this post with new additions every now and then.
Please turn ON your SPEAKERS and click on 'PLAY' to listen.
The Meeting was scheduled to start at 7pm. The first 1.5 hours was spent on roll call, a sermon by SP, followed by Communion and then a short greeting by Pastor Guynes. The actual business meeting started at around 8.30pm, when the Meeting was handed over to the Resolution Chairman, Pastor Ronnie Chin.
Clip 1: In this first audio clip, you will notice that the Chairman has the tendency to give a mini "sermon" before and after each person speaks. You will also notice how bias his opinions are, and how one- sided his decision is and how legalistic his approach is, in acting as the Chaiman for our AGM.
Clip 2: (About 9pm) In this second audio clip, you will notice how the Chairman seems to be prolonging the proceedings by encouraging debates and objections to the Resolution.
Latest addition on motion to appoint SCRUTINEERS posted on 29.06.09. The additions includes the ridiculous scrutiny of SP's supporters for the proposed scrutineers, the "accidental" oversight of ushers, pastors & chairman when an associate member (SP's supporter) spoke out and the chairman disallowing a member to share his personal thoughts. This same rule was not applied by the chairman, when the Resolution to close blogs was called for later. (Clip 5)
Clip 3: (About 10.10pm) In this audio clip on Ratification of SP's appointment, you will notice the manner important decisions are made by the BOD, without due consideration of it's long term implication.
Clip 4: The first 7 minutes contains the Resolution for AG Council intervention. Notice only Robert, the proposer got to speak from the floor. Bro Robert is one of the original Charter members from Jalan Sayor back then. There was no open discussion. The rest is a collection of interesting dialogues taken from both days of the meetings. There was a lapse of about 1 hour in between the motion to complete all the Resolutions on saturday night @ 11pm and the final decision to adjourn @ 12 midnight, whereby the above resolution and the one to close blogs was carried out. At the end, "words from SP's mouth" is note worthy, whereby he instructed his "bouncers" to take their positions to be ready to "throw out" members who voiced out their emotions loudly. These are not the usual ushers but specially selected men.
Just added, the rights of the Associate Members (23:20 mins into clip).
Clip 5: In this clip, you will hear "hurt my feelings," "very disturbed," "an embarassment" but no "unconstitutional," or "violates church constitution" as basis of support for the Resolution to close blogs. It's all about "saving face". No consideration was given to the member's needs, rights and freedom to express themselves. The testimony of SP's supporters seeks to cast a bad light on other church pastors as being unfriendly and uncaring. This is not true as many who have left are now being "nursed" by other Pastors for their "hurts and wounds". Then the Church Constitution came back to play the next day when the Resolution for a new Constitution Review Committee was rejected.
Clip 6 - The final clip: In this clip you hear the Chairman & SP speak the same language, when reminding members to appreciate the priviledge of clarification given by them. It is not our right to speak so we must be grateful to them. We also want to pose the one million dollar question to the Resolution Chairman, "What has Manchester United got to do with issues brought out at our Church AGM?" Then in the later part, you will hear the saddest Q & A at the AGM 2009.
Click here to view the latest in You Tube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0i4d_hEVis
******************************************
As requested by some members who were unable to attend the AGM last Friday and Saturday, we have decided to include here some extracts of the audio recording of the AGM so that you can understand the feelings and exasperation of members seeking for truth, transparency and Godly governance in our church during the Meeting. As the task of listening and editing the recording is a tedious process, we will be updating this post with new additions every now and then.
Please turn ON your SPEAKERS and click on 'PLAY' to listen.
The Meeting was scheduled to start at 7pm. The first 1.5 hours was spent on roll call, a sermon by SP, followed by Communion and then a short greeting by Pastor Guynes. The actual business meeting started at around 8.30pm, when the Meeting was handed over to the Resolution Chairman, Pastor Ronnie Chin.
Clip 1: In this first audio clip, you will notice that the Chairman has the tendency to give a mini "sermon" before and after each person speaks. You will also notice how bias his opinions are, and how one- sided his decision is and how legalistic his approach is, in acting as the Chaiman for our AGM.
Clip 2: (About 9pm) In this second audio clip, you will notice how the Chairman seems to be prolonging the proceedings by encouraging debates and objections to the Resolution.
Latest addition on motion to appoint SCRUTINEERS posted on 29.06.09. The additions includes the ridiculous scrutiny of SP's supporters for the proposed scrutineers, the "accidental" oversight of ushers, pastors & chairman when an associate member (SP's supporter) spoke out and the chairman disallowing a member to share his personal thoughts. This same rule was not applied by the chairman, when the Resolution to close blogs was called for later. (Clip 5)
Clip 3: (About 10.10pm) In this audio clip on Ratification of SP's appointment, you will notice the manner important decisions are made by the BOD, without due consideration of it's long term implication.
Clip 4: The first 7 minutes contains the Resolution for AG Council intervention. Notice only Robert, the proposer got to speak from the floor. Bro Robert is one of the original Charter members from Jalan Sayor back then. There was no open discussion. The rest is a collection of interesting dialogues taken from both days of the meetings. There was a lapse of about 1 hour in between the motion to complete all the Resolutions on saturday night @ 11pm and the final decision to adjourn @ 12 midnight, whereby the above resolution and the one to close blogs was carried out. At the end, "words from SP's mouth" is note worthy, whereby he instructed his "bouncers" to take their positions to be ready to "throw out" members who voiced out their emotions loudly. These are not the usual ushers but specially selected men.
Just added, the rights of the Associate Members (23:20 mins into clip).
Clip 5: In this clip, you will hear "hurt my feelings," "very disturbed," "an embarassment" but no "unconstitutional," or "violates church constitution" as basis of support for the Resolution to close blogs. It's all about "saving face". No consideration was given to the member's needs, rights and freedom to express themselves. The testimony of SP's supporters seeks to cast a bad light on other church pastors as being unfriendly and uncaring. This is not true as many who have left are now being "nursed" by other Pastors for their "hurts and wounds". Then the Church Constitution came back to play the next day when the Resolution for a new Constitution Review Committee was rejected.
Clip 6 - The final clip: In this clip you hear the Chairman & SP speak the same language, when reminding members to appreciate the priviledge of clarification given by them. It is not our right to speak so we must be grateful to them. We also want to pose the one million dollar question to the Resolution Chairman, "What has Manchester United got to do with issues brought out at our Church AGM?" Then in the later part, you will hear the saddest Q & A at the AGM 2009.
Why Calvary Today will not be closed?
At last Friday’s AGM, the members voted by way of ballot for Calvary Today and 3 other blogs to be closed down for various reasons, one of which is that it causes strife, confusion and division. However, the administrators of CT have resolved that this blog will continue to remain open based on the following reasons:-
1. Calvary Church does not own Calvary Today and Berita Calvary and therefore, the members have no locus standi or any legal right to decide on anything pertaining to the blogs.
2. The resolution passed by the AGM last Friday is purely academic and not enforceable on the administrators of the blogs.
3. The administrators did not vote for the closure of the blogs, therefore, they are under no moral obligation to comply with the 'illegal' resolution.
4. As has been established, the entire balloting process during the AGM was seriously flawed and therefore, the results of the balloting may be inaccurate and may not actually reflect the wishes of the majority of the members.
5. Closing down the CT blog will translate into complying with an unconstitutional resolution secured through a questionable balloting process and this is contradictory to the underlying objective of CT which is to pursue truth, transparency and good governance.
6. Closing down the CT blog will result in denying the members their basic right to true and accurate information about the Church, the Senior Pastor, the Pastors and the Deacons and their wayward ways, unscriptural conduct, unethical and immoral practices and wrong-doings.
7. Closing down the CT blog will deny the members from airing their grievances, hurts and disappointment and also deny them the opportunity to provide suggestions and proposals for the good and well-being of the Church.
8. Closing down the CT blog will also deny the Church leadership from access to the above information which will keep them abreast of the concerns and needs of the members, so that they can take positive action to arrest the problems and move forward. The Church leaders may deny it but any member can see that some of the action plans which they are implementing in their moving forward programme have resulted from their reading the CT blog.
9. If the ballots are accurate and that 342 members did vote to close the blogs, this number represents only:-
a) 51% of the total attendance of 665 members at the AGM
b) 14% of the average weekly attendance of 2,500 worshippers
c) 3% of the total number of 10,200 people whom Calvary ministers to, as per our Church website.
Everyone that our Church ministers to, have a right to know what is going on in Calvary and therefore, we cannot allow the wishes of just 3% of the people to overrule the interest and rights of the balance 97%.
10. CT was born out of necessity in the face of an arrogant, recalcitrant and indifferent Board of Deacons and Senior Pastor. Until the problems in our Church are resolved, CT will remain and will continue to expose the unscriptural conduct, unethical practices and wrong-doings of the Church leadership, Pastors and Deacons.
11. Berita Calvary only publishes Christian-based articles, testimonies and teachings which edify and bless the body of Christ and propagate the gospel. This blog has never published any article on the issues in Calvary Church. Therefore, we cannot understand why any Christian would propose a resolution to close such a Christian blog. It is truly baffling!
The administrators have made a unequivocal stand that the CT and Berita Calvary blogs will remain open until Calvary Church is restored back to God.
Note:
Since CT was highlighted at the AGM, the hit rate on the blog has been phenomenal. The administrators wish to convey their appreciation to the Proposer and Seconder of the resolution to close the blogs and the Board of Deacons for the wide publicity of the blogs at the AGM.
Truly, our God is a great and witty God!
1. Calvary Church does not own Calvary Today and Berita Calvary and therefore, the members have no locus standi or any legal right to decide on anything pertaining to the blogs.
2. The resolution passed by the AGM last Friday is purely academic and not enforceable on the administrators of the blogs.
3. The administrators did not vote for the closure of the blogs, therefore, they are under no moral obligation to comply with the 'illegal' resolution.
4. As has been established, the entire balloting process during the AGM was seriously flawed and therefore, the results of the balloting may be inaccurate and may not actually reflect the wishes of the majority of the members.
5. Closing down the CT blog will translate into complying with an unconstitutional resolution secured through a questionable balloting process and this is contradictory to the underlying objective of CT which is to pursue truth, transparency and good governance.
6. Closing down the CT blog will result in denying the members their basic right to true and accurate information about the Church, the Senior Pastor, the Pastors and the Deacons and their wayward ways, unscriptural conduct, unethical and immoral practices and wrong-doings.
7. Closing down the CT blog will deny the members from airing their grievances, hurts and disappointment and also deny them the opportunity to provide suggestions and proposals for the good and well-being of the Church.
8. Closing down the CT blog will also deny the Church leadership from access to the above information which will keep them abreast of the concerns and needs of the members, so that they can take positive action to arrest the problems and move forward. The Church leaders may deny it but any member can see that some of the action plans which they are implementing in their moving forward programme have resulted from their reading the CT blog.
9. If the ballots are accurate and that 342 members did vote to close the blogs, this number represents only:-
a) 51% of the total attendance of 665 members at the AGM
b) 14% of the average weekly attendance of 2,500 worshippers
c) 3% of the total number of 10,200 people whom Calvary ministers to, as per our Church website.
Everyone that our Church ministers to, have a right to know what is going on in Calvary and therefore, we cannot allow the wishes of just 3% of the people to overrule the interest and rights of the balance 97%.
10. CT was born out of necessity in the face of an arrogant, recalcitrant and indifferent Board of Deacons and Senior Pastor. Until the problems in our Church are resolved, CT will remain and will continue to expose the unscriptural conduct, unethical practices and wrong-doings of the Church leadership, Pastors and Deacons.
11. Berita Calvary only publishes Christian-based articles, testimonies and teachings which edify and bless the body of Christ and propagate the gospel. This blog has never published any article on the issues in Calvary Church. Therefore, we cannot understand why any Christian would propose a resolution to close such a Christian blog. It is truly baffling!
The administrators have made a unequivocal stand that the CT and Berita Calvary blogs will remain open until Calvary Church is restored back to God.
Note:
Since CT was highlighted at the AGM, the hit rate on the blog has been phenomenal. The administrators wish to convey their appreciation to the Proposer and Seconder of the resolution to close the blogs and the Board of Deacons for the wide publicity of the blogs at the AGM.
Truly, our God is a great and witty God!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
AGM of Shame
Unwanted Senior Pastor Prince clings on unashamedly.
Deacon Patrick Wong gets the boot.
Kangaroo AGM at Calvary.
Pas Ronnie Chin, the unconstitutional Chairman.
No closure to Calvary saga. Division and strife continues.....
The AGM of 19th June 2009 (which ended on 20th June 2009) was the darkest day in the history of Calvary Church. It was a day the basic constitutional right of members was thrown out the window. It was a day truth and transparency in God’s house were blatantly obliterated and members’ feelings and concerns were treated like trash. It was a day the sheep were badly abused by their very own shepherd instead of being cared for. It was a day our God was mocked!
The AGM saw Senior Pastor Prince Guneratnam unashamedly clinging on for dear life by hiding behind the ‘skirt’ of the Church Constitution, aided by his faithful deacons and friends from the AG Council.
The AG representatives, Pas Ronnie Chin (AG Malaysia Asst General Superintendent and ex-Calvarite) who acted as the Resolutions Chairman and Pas Kelly Yap (close buddy of our Pas Peter) are obviously not independent due to their close ties with SP and Pas Peter. This situation reminds us very much of the Kangaroo Court that was formed by the Deacons to try Dr Lum not too long ago. Only this time, both the AG representatives together with SP and the Deacons, use the very same Constitution of the members and interpreted it to their advantage, to victimize the members.
Of the 7 resolutions proposed by the concerned members, only the one on the voting process by way of secret ballot was tabled and overwhelmingly approved by the members. All the other 6 resolutions were thrown out on technical grounds.
Pas Ronnie and Pas Kelly were obviously just puppets on the string. Pas Ronnie played the bad guy as the Resolutions Chairman and rejected all the resolutions based on the flimsiest of reasons provided by the Board of Deacons. They found fault with the most insignificant of wordings used in the resolutions and ignored the basic rights of the members. It is shocking that Pas Ronnie can proclaim that the Board of Deacons can overrule the entire body of members who elected the Deacons in the first place. All over the world, the Board of Directors (Deacons) are answerable to the shareholders (members). In Calvary, it is the opposite. Pas Ronnie and the Deacons were more interested in the Letter of the Law than the spirit of the Law.
The Church Constitution clearly states that full powers of administration rest with the members at a general meeting but this basic constitutional rule was totally disregarded. Yet, in the same breath, they claim that they are abiding by the Constitution. Their behaviour was not unlike the Pharisees in Jesus' time.
The most important resolution of the AGM which is the ratification of SP’s Re-appointment was one of the earliest to be thrown out on technical grounds. Had this resolution been put to the vote, SP would have been sent packing. The sentiments of the members and atmosphere of the AGM were clear evidences that SP is no longer wanted and that many members have lost all confidence in him. Any respectable pastor with a little bit of self-worth would have stepped down immediately.
In the rejection of the resolution seeking the intervention of the General Council of the Assemblies of God Malaysia to manage our Church, Deacon Philip Tan lied through his teeth and told the AGM that there was no basis for the resolution because there is no problem, no strife, no division in Calvary and everything is fine.
The resolution to close the 4 internet blogs was tabled and approved by the members. This resolution should not have been allowed to be tabled on the basis that the blogs do not belong to the Church and therefore, the members have no locus standi to vote on this matter. However, Pas Ronnie allowed the resolution to be tabled. From this, we can see the inconsistency of Pas Ronnie’s judgment or rather, his obedience to SP.
The 2nd similar resolution on the closing of the internet blogs was withdrawn by the proposer. The controversial resolution calling for the review/termination of voting members who are not contributing to the church was also withdrawn by the proposer.
The AGM ended at about 12.15am and was adjourned to the following day at 3.00pm. The adjourned meeting finally ended at 8.30pm on Saturday night. This 10.5 hours of meeting will go down in Calvary's history as the longest AGM in her 48 years of existence.
The AGM was very much marred by the conduct of Pas Ronnie. His behaviour as the Resolutions Chairman was very unprofessional and despite being booed by frustrated members, he was adamant on playing his role of being SP's saviour. On the first night, he kept on making unnecessary long-winded comments and remarks and encouraging unnecessary debate, all with the clear intention of prolonging the proceedings and getting the AGM adjourned. Even after the members voted to continue the meeting until after all the resolutions proposed have been dealt with, he kept badgering the members to propose an adjournment. If this is the new breed of shepherds and leaders our AG Council endorses, then the future of the Assemblies of God in Malaysia is dead.
RESULTS AT A GLANCE.
This is a summary of the Results of the Resolutions submitted for Tabling at the AGM.
1. Proposed amendment to Church Constitution RULE XII: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS, Item 3a, 3b and 3c on appointment of external auditors. (Result: PASSED by members)
2. Proposal that all resolutions of this AGM be voted on by secret ballot. (Result: PASSED by members)
3. Proposal that one of the Associate Pastors of the Church be appointed for the purposes of chairing this AGM.
(Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
4. Proposal for the intervention of the General Council of the Assemblies of God Malaysia to manage our Church until the Church is capable of managing its own affairs.
(Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
5. Ratification of Senior Pastor’s Re-appointment.
(Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
6. Closure of CalvaryToday, Berita Calvary, Calvary Kini and Calvary Unity.
(Result: PASSED by members)
7. 2nd Proposal for Closure of the same 4 internet blogs.
(Result: Withdrawn by the Proposer)
8. Resolution on Review of membership rolls.
(Result: Withdrawn by the Proposer)
9. Proposal for a new Constitutional Review Committee.
(Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
10. Proposal for setting up of a Truth Committee.
(Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
11. Removal of Dr Lum from Church membership to be declared null and void. (Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
A member asked Deacon Philip Tan if the BOD thinks that Dr Lum has "departed from the tenets of faith" and Philip Tan said, "YES". Philip Tan and the BOD have effectively passed a "spiritual death" judgment on Dr Lum.
DEACONS ELECTED
1. Ngeow Zoo Gin (new)
2. Wong Ming Yook (new)
3. Bernadette Foo (re-elected)
4. David Peter (new)
AUDITORS ELECTED
1. Tam Kok Meng (re-elected)
2. Chow Sang Hoe (re-elected)
Footnote:
At the re-commencement of the AGM on Saturday , one member lodged an official complaint on the flawed balloting process. During the balloting of the resolutions in the previous night, there were witnesses that some voting members had more than one ballot slip and a few non-voting members were seen holding ballot slips. When a few members ask for additional ballot slips, they were freely given. None of the ballot slips were numbered. The ballot results are therefore, inaccurate and cannot be accepted.
Pas Ronnie rejected the complaint on the basis that it was out of order and advised that the member can raise it again before the next ballot. As it turned out, there was not going to be another ballot because Pas Ronnie subsequently rejected all the following resolutions on technical grounds.
It is now so apparent that right from the onset, Pas Ronnie knew that all the following resolutions will be rejected and therefore, his rejection of the official complaint on the flawed balloting was a pre-meditated move to defraud the members.
This opens the door for any unhappy member to file a complaint to AG Council against Pas Ronnie for unscriptural conduct. It also allows any member to get a court order to declare the entire AGM null and void.
=============================================
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
CalvaryToday had previously resolved that it will not close the blog and will continue to exist to expose the unscriptural conduct, unethical practices and wrong-doings of SP, the Pastors and Deacons until such time, truth, transparency, good governance and righteousness are restored in Calvary Church.
Berita Calvary will continue to publish Christian-based articles, testimonies and teachings which will edify and bless the body of Christ and propagate the gospel to the world.
Deacon Patrick Wong gets the boot.
Kangaroo AGM at Calvary.
Pas Ronnie Chin, the unconstitutional Chairman.
No closure to Calvary saga. Division and strife continues.....
The AGM of 19th June 2009 (which ended on 20th June 2009) was the darkest day in the history of Calvary Church. It was a day the basic constitutional right of members was thrown out the window. It was a day truth and transparency in God’s house were blatantly obliterated and members’ feelings and concerns were treated like trash. It was a day the sheep were badly abused by their very own shepherd instead of being cared for. It was a day our God was mocked!
The AGM saw Senior Pastor Prince Guneratnam unashamedly clinging on for dear life by hiding behind the ‘skirt’ of the Church Constitution, aided by his faithful deacons and friends from the AG Council.
The AG representatives, Pas Ronnie Chin (AG Malaysia Asst General Superintendent and ex-Calvarite) who acted as the Resolutions Chairman and Pas Kelly Yap (close buddy of our Pas Peter) are obviously not independent due to their close ties with SP and Pas Peter. This situation reminds us very much of the Kangaroo Court that was formed by the Deacons to try Dr Lum not too long ago. Only this time, both the AG representatives together with SP and the Deacons, use the very same Constitution of the members and interpreted it to their advantage, to victimize the members.
Of the 7 resolutions proposed by the concerned members, only the one on the voting process by way of secret ballot was tabled and overwhelmingly approved by the members. All the other 6 resolutions were thrown out on technical grounds.
Pas Ronnie and Pas Kelly were obviously just puppets on the string. Pas Ronnie played the bad guy as the Resolutions Chairman and rejected all the resolutions based on the flimsiest of reasons provided by the Board of Deacons. They found fault with the most insignificant of wordings used in the resolutions and ignored the basic rights of the members. It is shocking that Pas Ronnie can proclaim that the Board of Deacons can overrule the entire body of members who elected the Deacons in the first place. All over the world, the Board of Directors (Deacons) are answerable to the shareholders (members). In Calvary, it is the opposite. Pas Ronnie and the Deacons were more interested in the Letter of the Law than the spirit of the Law.
The Church Constitution clearly states that full powers of administration rest with the members at a general meeting but this basic constitutional rule was totally disregarded. Yet, in the same breath, they claim that they are abiding by the Constitution. Their behaviour was not unlike the Pharisees in Jesus' time.
The most important resolution of the AGM which is the ratification of SP’s Re-appointment was one of the earliest to be thrown out on technical grounds. Had this resolution been put to the vote, SP would have been sent packing. The sentiments of the members and atmosphere of the AGM were clear evidences that SP is no longer wanted and that many members have lost all confidence in him. Any respectable pastor with a little bit of self-worth would have stepped down immediately.
In the rejection of the resolution seeking the intervention of the General Council of the Assemblies of God Malaysia to manage our Church, Deacon Philip Tan lied through his teeth and told the AGM that there was no basis for the resolution because there is no problem, no strife, no division in Calvary and everything is fine.
The resolution to close the 4 internet blogs was tabled and approved by the members. This resolution should not have been allowed to be tabled on the basis that the blogs do not belong to the Church and therefore, the members have no locus standi to vote on this matter. However, Pas Ronnie allowed the resolution to be tabled. From this, we can see the inconsistency of Pas Ronnie’s judgment or rather, his obedience to SP.
The 2nd similar resolution on the closing of the internet blogs was withdrawn by the proposer. The controversial resolution calling for the review/termination of voting members who are not contributing to the church was also withdrawn by the proposer.
The AGM ended at about 12.15am and was adjourned to the following day at 3.00pm. The adjourned meeting finally ended at 8.30pm on Saturday night. This 10.5 hours of meeting will go down in Calvary's history as the longest AGM in her 48 years of existence.
The AGM was very much marred by the conduct of Pas Ronnie. His behaviour as the Resolutions Chairman was very unprofessional and despite being booed by frustrated members, he was adamant on playing his role of being SP's saviour. On the first night, he kept on making unnecessary long-winded comments and remarks and encouraging unnecessary debate, all with the clear intention of prolonging the proceedings and getting the AGM adjourned. Even after the members voted to continue the meeting until after all the resolutions proposed have been dealt with, he kept badgering the members to propose an adjournment. If this is the new breed of shepherds and leaders our AG Council endorses, then the future of the Assemblies of God in Malaysia is dead.
RESULTS AT A GLANCE.
This is a summary of the Results of the Resolutions submitted for Tabling at the AGM.
1. Proposed amendment to Church Constitution RULE XII: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS, Item 3a, 3b and 3c on appointment of external auditors. (Result: PASSED by members)
2. Proposal that all resolutions of this AGM be voted on by secret ballot. (Result: PASSED by members)
3. Proposal that one of the Associate Pastors of the Church be appointed for the purposes of chairing this AGM.
(Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
4. Proposal for the intervention of the General Council of the Assemblies of God Malaysia to manage our Church until the Church is capable of managing its own affairs.
(Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
5. Ratification of Senior Pastor’s Re-appointment.
(Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
6. Closure of CalvaryToday, Berita Calvary, Calvary Kini and Calvary Unity.
(Result: PASSED by members)
7. 2nd Proposal for Closure of the same 4 internet blogs.
(Result: Withdrawn by the Proposer)
8. Resolution on Review of membership rolls.
(Result: Withdrawn by the Proposer)
9. Proposal for a new Constitutional Review Committee.
(Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
10. Proposal for setting up of a Truth Committee.
(Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
11. Removal of Dr Lum from Church membership to be declared null and void. (Result: REJECTED BY THE BOD)
A member asked Deacon Philip Tan if the BOD thinks that Dr Lum has "departed from the tenets of faith" and Philip Tan said, "YES". Philip Tan and the BOD have effectively passed a "spiritual death" judgment on Dr Lum.
DEACONS ELECTED
1. Ngeow Zoo Gin (new)
2. Wong Ming Yook (new)
3. Bernadette Foo (re-elected)
4. David Peter (new)
AUDITORS ELECTED
1. Tam Kok Meng (re-elected)
2. Chow Sang Hoe (re-elected)
Footnote:
At the re-commencement of the AGM on Saturday , one member lodged an official complaint on the flawed balloting process. During the balloting of the resolutions in the previous night, there were witnesses that some voting members had more than one ballot slip and a few non-voting members were seen holding ballot slips. When a few members ask for additional ballot slips, they were freely given. None of the ballot slips were numbered. The ballot results are therefore, inaccurate and cannot be accepted.
Pas Ronnie rejected the complaint on the basis that it was out of order and advised that the member can raise it again before the next ballot. As it turned out, there was not going to be another ballot because Pas Ronnie subsequently rejected all the following resolutions on technical grounds.
It is now so apparent that right from the onset, Pas Ronnie knew that all the following resolutions will be rejected and therefore, his rejection of the official complaint on the flawed balloting was a pre-meditated move to defraud the members.
This opens the door for any unhappy member to file a complaint to AG Council against Pas Ronnie for unscriptural conduct. It also allows any member to get a court order to declare the entire AGM null and void.
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NOTICE TO MEMBERS
CalvaryToday had previously resolved that it will not close the blog and will continue to exist to expose the unscriptural conduct, unethical practices and wrong-doings of SP, the Pastors and Deacons until such time, truth, transparency, good governance and righteousness are restored in Calvary Church.
Berita Calvary will continue to publish Christian-based articles, testimonies and teachings which will edify and bless the body of Christ and propagate the gospel to the world.
