New Creation Church or New Creation Inc ?

Image via WikipediaI read recently 2 interesting postings from Blogpastor (you can check them out here).The 2 articles have generated some discussions and these are some of my observations.

The pro NCC guys are saying that God point them to One-North and everything is results of God’s grace.

The not pro NCC camp is questioning why a church is getting into business, investment etc.. and are these in line with God’s teaching?

So, depending on which camp you are in, the opinions can be quite different. From the various comments by both sides, there are a few pointers that may be worth thinking…..

Why is the stewardship of the church being questioned in the first place? Perhaps it is because of the large spending of $500 million which also leads to questions of the leadership of the church.

One of the comments questions the background of Joseph Prince whose supporters have provided some insights. Prince is really not his real name but he has to changed “to protect his family who are still Hindu and his father being a ex Hindu priest”. However, why is there such a need? Is there anything wrong being a Hindu or Christian?

Do we all converts to Christians have to change our name “to protect our family” who has yet to do so? What’s the danger? Can someone shed some light? Hope to see the logic of this someday…

What I think is more important is where did Prince get his training from? Is he a trained pastor or self proclaimed one? I don’t seems to find this information from the website. Or is the training of the pastor not important? Are we then sure that his teachings are correct?

Speaking about teaching, my personal contacts with NCC members seems to suggest that tithes are related to blessings. The more one tithe, the more blessings one will received and that one tenth is holy and tithe is a commandment of God but is it really so?

Tithing is not enforceable on all Christians and the entire argument and proof can be found here.

So if tithing is not enforceable, should the church make it clear to the congregation that they do not need to tithe but give freely? Or if they disagree, can they defend the enforcing of tithes?

Personally, I hope that the impression that blessings are related to tithes is not the accurate one though it seems to have been preached as such. Most of my friends going to NCC seems more interested in gaining prosperity and giving to church seems like a “sure win” TOTO for them. God’s blessings are really not for sale and it is Free and Free to all (both Christians and non-Christians). Not tithing seems to weigh heavily on their minds.

But if tithing is not enforceable on all Christians and yet it is one of the main income of the church, is it still morally right?

NCC members also argue that it was God who point them to One-North. But is it? And are they really spending the money to build a church? Or is it a front to building a business enterprise?

According to the Strait Times forum page of 27 Sept 08, I quote “ Rock Production has provided a legal undertaking to JTC that the venue will be managed strictly on a commercial basis and will not be converted into a religious facility.”

So is this a Church building fund or a business investment fund? I think the answer is clear.

I think the undertaking says it all and that is the reason that they are raising eyebrows. As Blogpastor has given the example, NCC could have build “a few” churches with that kind of investment. Sure, the ROI of building a real church building may be little and slow as it will depend solely on the appreciation of the land, building as well as the usable commercial space (if any).

But with such facilities, the congregation benefits with a place to worship that they can call their own, they have access anytime throughout the week, cell group have a place to meet and share, lesson and talks can be held, wedding and funerals wake can be conducted and some churches even have columbarium!

Perhaps, more answers on such decision will come to light if NCC reveal how the salary of the pastor are based upon and their current takings. Is it depended on the amount of taking of the church?

Hope this is not a case of LK 8:14 “As for the part that fell into thorns, this is people who have heard, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life and never produce any crops.”

And for all temptations, remember Jesus too was tempted by devil in Mt4:1-11 :
8 Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 And he said to him, 'I will give you all these, if you fall at my feet and do me homage.' 10 Then Jesus replied, 'Away with you, Satan! For scripture says: The Lord your God is the one to whom you must do homage, him alone you must serve.'

Hope some light will be shed soon.