Month March 2010

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My Read of the Month:

Title: Confessions of a Radical Industrialist: Profits, People, Purpose–Doing Business by Respecting the Earth
Author: Ray C. Anderson with Robin White
Published: 2009
Genre: Environmental leadership/Business strategy
Ratings: 3.0 out of 5 stars

This book is a personal account of Ray Anderson, founder and chairman of InterfaceFlor who led his organisation and industry towards Mission Zero- a goal to use zero natural resources to manufacture and to aim for zero carbon offset in its process.

Interface is a global carpet tile manufacturer and this book depicts their trailblazing green journey from where it begun to where it is at present. At this moment, Interface has been able to cut it’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 71 percent since 1996. Achieving that while their sales increased by two-thirds and doubling their earnings.

Definitely a worthy example of business and environmental sustainability marrying together towards progress where both wins.

I like how Ray was able to integrate his Christian values into his business in regards in being environmentally responsible and sustainable. He shares how he views the Bible as an environmental handbook that commands us to conservatorship- a God-given mandate to be stewards of the environment.

Though I found the book a tat draggy at times and peppered with a little too much technical jargons that only engineers could understand, but I still enjoyed it. Truly an inspiration.

Read this book and be challenge in our linear mindset of “take-make-waste” that has been adopted from our industrial revolution to one that is “close-looped”- taking nothing new from earth to make and recycling waste to make instead!

Who should read it: Business owners and higher management. Inclusive of church leaders.

Reasons why I am Arising and Building

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It is not uncommon to hear churches rally their congregations to “build God a house” during any church building fund campaign.

However, this reason or thrust is flawed. Because God does not need a house.

Being new-covenanted Christians with the gift of the Holy Spirit , we’re the house or temple where the presence of God dwells.

Hence, it is clear that God does not need a physical structure to dwell among His people like how He did during the old testament era.

So why do I choose to support the church building project-“Arise & Build” of City Harvest Church (CHC)?

My reasons for supporting the “Arise & Build”

Though I’m a member of CHC, I’m aware that as a Christ-follower I am not obliged to give to the “Arise & Build” church building fund.

Nonetheless, it is with the same conviction as a Christ-follower in which I’m equally aware that I’m obliged to appropriately invest my finances in where it matters to Him as His steward to fulfill His kingdom purposes.

That said, here are my personal reasons that convinced me in supporting CHC and this campaign:

  • Good stewardship- I read that CHC pays about S$4-6 million every month for rent at the Expo to hold its services. Hence, it is only appropriate CHC ought to own a place for a more sustainable way of operation. Imagine what could be done with that money saved?

  • Mere practicality- This is an obvious reason. There is hardly any free space in Singapore where you can gather a massive numbers of people. So a building is necessity and not a luxury.

  • Trustworthy leadership- I might not have being a member with CHC for a long time, but I’ve personally observed and discovered that key leaders in CHC have demonstrated credibility and competence with their leadership.

  • Kingdom purpose (not church purpose)- Personally, I’m convinced that the gracious and mighty hand of God is on CHC. This church has a unique calling as a trail blazer in breaking new grounds to lead and inspire others in Asia and beyond towards fulfilling the Great Commission in the 21st century.

    • Let’s build up His true House

    I consider it a privilege to be able to share and play a part of this history-making project that glorifies God in a way that represents how progressive the Church of Jesus ought to be.

    The world has always attempted to undermine and inhibit the influence (His power and love) of the Church in the secular. But it is my earnest prayer  and desire to see this change. And I believe CHC will be one of key catalysts or agents to bring about that change.

    In conclusion, though we need not build God a house, it is with such building projects that build our lives up (the true house) as we do our part as Christ-followers to arise, build and establish His kingdom purposes on earth.

    Arise and Build

    andrewong2024 2 Comments

    Watch the video below of the announcement made by pastor Kong Hee during one of last weekend’s services, in regards to the acquisition as co-owners of Suntec Convention Centre (worth S$310 million) over one of last weekend services.

    You can read more about it here>>>.


    Passions over ‘prosperity gospel’: Was Jesus wealthy?

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    It is interesting how the Church has been mostly divided in viewpoints towards money; wealth or prosperity. In the coming weeks, I’ll make an attempt to present a series of entries that aim to put this controversial topic of prosperity in (biblical) perspective. In the meantime, enjoy this article below:


    Many Christians see Jesus as the poor, itinerant preacher who had “no place to lay his head.”

    But as Christians gather around the globe this year to celebrate the birth of Jesus, another group of Christians are insisting that Jesus’ beginnings weren’t so humble.

    They say that Jesus was never poor — and neither should his followers be. Their claim is embedded in the doctrine known as the prosperity gospel, which holds that God rewards the faithful with financial prosperity and spiritual gifts.

    The prosperity gospel has attracted plenty of critics. But popular televangelists such as the late Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagin and, today, Creflo Dollar have built mega-churches and a global audience by equating piety with prosperity.

    The prosperity gospel, however, clashes with the traditional depictions of Jesus as poor. That’s because the traditional image of Jesus as destitute is wrong, says the Rev. Tom Brown, senior pastor of the Word of Life Church in El Paso, Texas.

    Read the full article here>>>

    Prospering in the Truth

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    “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.

    In fact, I greatly rejoiced when [some of] the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke [so highly] of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth [the whole Gospel presents].

    I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living their lives in the Truth.”

    3 John 3:2-4 (Amplified Bible)