It all started with this…
A simple notice of our office closure for the week after Asia Conference. The Straits Times described it as a “massive five-day seminar involving 30,000 people, foreign evangelists among them…”
I think this is a case of underreporting. Haha! “Massive” doesn’t quite cut it. Our staff and team of hardworking volunteers toiled HARD. Pastor is also super gracious towards us, and decided to give the staff a week off, and the cell leaders two weeks off from leading their cell meetings. That was how intense the 5 days were.
But yet, in the hands of the media, this is played up to be something it TOTALLY is not.
They reckon the off was given after the news broke out.
Nah, it was already determined way before that, and announced on Sunday, May 30.
Of course, I was also looking through some of the reports and paranoid ramblings on the forums, as well as some rather skewed reporting.
A “breaking news” report by Straits Times said that
"Seven individuals were detained in a raid at 6.30am on Monday by the CAD. During the raid at their offices, the CAD secured records and accounts as part of the investigation.”
Well, I guess the reporter tried to be “flamboyant” with the usage of words, cos the actual police statement issued said “CAD officers visited the offices of the individuals and the companies under investigation this morning and have secured records and accounts for the purpose of the investigations.”
A visit is pretty different from a raid, if you ask me.
Straits Times also changed the language use after three hours of posting it online, back to the original, milder meaning.
…
I’ve attended City Harvest for the past 11 years. And this probably will be the greatest test (to date) for us as a church. I am proud of my church, for the past 11 years in the face of different situations and problems, and I do know that genuineness is only tested through fire. My prayer is for the various ones involved, be it the CAD or the COC, to be fair and unbiased. As for the media frenzy, well, in this little small island-state, nothing like a “scandal” to grab the attention of the papers. I expect it would continue (till the next big thing erupts), but I hope that they show grace in their words. We are innocent till proven guilty, ya know. In the media’s eagerness to play up the negative and sensationalize things, a little sensitivity and balanced reporting is probably very much needed.
As for the rest of the church members, I am proud to call myself a CHC member. I love my church and I love my pastor. :) We are not perfect people, and definitely not a perfect church, but as we love and serve Him who is perfect, I have faith in Him. It’s going to be a rocky few months ahead, let us all gird ourselves and prepare for the road ahead!
