Frustation and anguish stirred within me as the sermon came to an end. And I did the next unthinkable thing. I cried. I really cried.
Pastor Kong Hee’s simple yet powerful message (video sermon– The power of pop culture) on how we, as Christians needed to be effective agents of God’s common grace to our world by using pop culture struck a deep chord in me. My burden was released onto God with every wail and tear.
I was reminded of Nehemiah and how he too responded when he heard how Jerusalem was in shumbles and disgrace. He mourned, fasted and pleaded with God to redeem His people.
More importantly, Nehemiah made himself counted and eventually God used this cupbearer to lead the Israelites in rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem in merely 52 days! (c.f. Nehemiah 1:1-11, 12:1)
Likewise, my burden is about our Hope church (Adults). The nagging debt for the church building fund that is crippling us in progressing and our dwindling spiritual state. Though the numbers have grown (quantity) but in my honest opinion, it doesn’t reflect accurately the quality of us as His church in being relevant, compassionate and spirit-led/filled as Salt and Light in our community.
We need to step up!
My cry: GOD PLEASE DO SOMETHING. PLEASE USE ME IN ANY WAY!!!
His reply: And I tell you…. on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (c.f. Matthew 16:18)
Andrew: Inside & Insights 
What about your church building fund? whats happening?
i tot your church finsih building liao? still remmber 2 -3 yrs back u asked to contribute to this fund?
Its not cleared yet. Our goal since 2-3 years ago was to have it cleared by this year April.
It was a debt of $10.32m. Presently we are left with $0.9m.
Can visit this link for more info- http://www.hopesingapore.org.sg/breakthrough/breakthrough_whatnew.htm
Praise God! We raised more than $9m BY GOD’S GRACE and now the remaining amount is only 10%!! 🙂 Let’s not look at it as a burden, but as a joy. God has already done so much… When we think of the THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE using the facilities every week (!!)… people finding joy when they might otherwise be in despair.. sowing hope where there is despair… sowing light where there is darkness… people having fellowship when they might otherwise be seeking counterfeit intimacy in one-night stands & meaningless orgies…. and people coming to know Christ. When I thought of my two ex-classmates who had received Christ into their lives in this church, I know that the amount I gave was put to good use heehee @*$#!
You guys scared the shit out of me…
GOD here and GOD there..
Is there a GOD DAMN IT somewhere too?
Please wake up … CHC is a marketing blitz.. please attend a good catholic church or methodist church..
I used to give to church building funds + tithes + offerings in expectation of receiving more(i was greedy) until the Lord woke me up one day.
Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]?
godbyanothername:
Hey I’m certain your time will come when you will say the same =)
And for the marketing blitz, I think it is necessary that the Church (in regardless of denomination or organisation) use the media positively in marketing virtue and values.
If not the enemy will dominate the media and use it for negative influence and manipulation which we are witnessing everyday.
joe:
Thanks for sharing your personal experience for us to take note of. That is why I think it is helpful to ask ourselves a few questions before we give such as:
1. Is my giving based on revelation? Or human reasoning?
2. Am I giving out of a grateful heart that represents a genuine sacrifice? Or am I giving with strings attached?
ANdrew,
Interesting comments. Let me ask:
1.Are building funds based on someone’s dream or vision or human reasoning rather personal revelation from the Holy SPirit to each & everyone?
2.Arent we usually giving out of mixed motives?a “grateful” heart together with an “earnest expectation” of receiving even more (greed)?
3.Why does today’s church never ever obey the Lord’s commandment never to borrow? Why borrow & then put a yoke on the faithful rather than save slowly?
Deu 15:6 The LORD your God will bless you as he has promised. You will LEND money to many nations but will never need to BORROW! You will rule many nations, but they will not rule over you!
“What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. 1Sam15.22-23a.
Pro 13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
joe:
Here are my personal views to your input-
1. It can be a shared vision/dream among like-minded Christians. No one can force us to give or to be part of the vision.
2. I think all of us are growing towards perfection, so there might be mixed motives but giving with whatever resources helps in a process of purifying one’s motives too. We can learn from our giving.
But even if we expect God to give, I believe there’s nothing biblically wrong as God expects us to ask from Him.
He is always ever-ready to give us. It is just a matter of tweaking on WHY and HOW we ask that God is teaching us.
When we expect God to give, the prayer of Jabez is the right model to follow.
3. For the borrowing part, I guess that is the “weak” state of our churches in terms of practical financial IQ and the lack of a radical faith in God in regards to financial providence in our 21st century.
THank you for sharing your personal views.
Here’s my input/observation.
1. Why cant tithes & pleges be anonymous like offerings? Membership fees?
I noticed older churches do not pass offering bags, and have an offering box at the corner of the church for anyone to give unnoticed.
2. Why do we pretend to put our hands into the offering bags even when we are not giving? Compulsion? Peer pressure?
3.It’s really up to you if you want to blessed or to be in debt, Andrew.
As for me & my household,we chose to believe in God’s words in Deu 15:6 that we will Lend & Not Borrow, & in a debt-free community of God-fearing believers.
Can anyone expect to be blessed without bothering to honor the WOrd of GOD?
Deu 15:6 The LORD your God will bless you as he has promised. You will LEND money to many nations but will never need to BORROW! You will rule many nations, but they will not rule over you!
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
joe:
Thanks for this healthy exchange =)
Here are my views in response to your input/observations-
1. I think you can choose to be anonymous. But I understand that some churches (especially mega churches) encourage givers to indicate details so that the church can be transparent about its handling of finances. This is particularly so with current distrust towards charitable organisations.
About membership fees, I do not know which church collects them but it sounds abit ridiculous if there is such a fee enforced.
2. This depends on an individual’s level of maturity and stature in being secure.
3. Here’s another person’s perspective on borrowing- http://www.godmammon.com/2008/02/is-it-wrong-to-be-in-debt.html
ANdrew:
Thank you for your frank sharing.
1. It will be rather unfortunate if some churches are structured like business organizations or country clubs where members who tithes & pledges regularly are entitled to subsidized activities like church camps & workshops, while non-members/visitors have to pay in full.
Act 20:35b You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
2. Personally i will prefer the traditional wooden offering box because i feel that passing offering bag is a kind of “pressure”.
2Cor 9:7 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. (NLT)
3. I would rather chose to believe in LORD JESUS, His WOrd from GOD and be blessed.
Pro 22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the Borrower is Servant to the Lender.
It’s really up to you whether you believe in JESUS’ WORD, Andrew.
joe:
1. I agree with you.
2. I guess methods can differ and change to suit culture and needs, while the principles remain.
3. I believe in His word too. I guess we stand on His word from different planes. Hence the differing viewpoints.
But we have a common ground in being the same spirit- that is to love and obey Him fully =)