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When people critique Kong Hee’s Church they are also critiquing Phil Pringle and his church. We know personally that Kong Hee sees Phil Pringle in an infallible light as a personal master, mentor, pope and Prophet of God.
Kong Hee To Phil Pringle: “You created this mess! You’ve Got To Come And Help Us Fix It”
Not only is Kong Hee a disciple of Phil Pringle, he imitates Phil Pringle in many ways in teachings, conferences, service layouts, financial events and advertising, etc. As Kong Hee said,
“Many people come to City Harvest Church and they look at our church. Look at our pulpit. Our Rise and Build. And they say, “Hey! Why is it that in Australia they kinda copy after you?”
Well actually we came here and copied everything from Christian City Church. So we have our own Rise and Build and I just thought I show you this latest installment where we anounced to our church, SunTec City Convention Center.” – Kong hee, C3 Presence Conference, Session 4, Sydney, 2010.
‘Thinking Free And Fair’ offers their analysis of Kong Hee’s City Harvest Church,
An analysis into the wealth of City Harvest Church
Update: I have updated this analysis with a new article in the aftermath of the Pastor’s arrest.
Although I am aware that City Harvest is one of the richest churches in Singapore, I am still shocked that it is rich enough to pay SGD310 million for a stake in Suntec City. Nevertheless, an entity which is able to amass such wealth is certainly worth studying. I was determined to understand the secrets to the church’s wealth.
I apologize upfront if the points raised give offense to loyal followers of City Harvest Church. Please regard this article as a business analysis of the factors that contribute to the wealth of City Harvest Church, not as an insinuation that the Church got rich through questionable means. The fact is that CHC is very rich and this makes for a fascinating academic exercise to examine its sources of wealth. Just treat it as a business case study. I have tried my best to stick to the facts. Please correct me if there are factual mistakes. However, if there are differences in opinions, please disagree with courtesy.
1. Clever packaging of Sunday services
The income of a church is dependent on the tithes collected (10% of income from church-members). Therefore, the earning power of a church is highly dependent on its ability to retain its existing church members and attract new ones. The larger the church membership, the greater its earnings.
I watched a sample of CHC weekend service on its website. Compared to the boring Sunday classes I attended as a kid, CHC church service was most refreshing (Watch “The 10 Laws Of The Harvest”). The beginning part resembles a rock concert with good singing and enthusiastic audience. It is an entertaining way to enjoy your Sunday mornings. Going to church becomes a weekly event to look forward to rather than a chore to attend to.
With church services so well packaged for its customers, its customer retention rate and new customer acquisition figures should look good.
2. Extra revenue in the form of advertisements, sales of CDs
This church is unlike the other churches I know. It generates extra revenue through advertisements during its Sunday service(watch the videos). It sells audio CDs on its website. There is an online shopping cart for convenience to those who want to buy online.
3. Efficient collection of tithes
Church-members can pay their tithe online via credit card, eNets or even Giro!! Once members started donating using Giro, the earnings quality of the church improves. Donation collected via Giro tend to be more stable.
With a globalised economy, people travel round the world a lot and may miss Sunday services. In the past, the churches will lose income when these members fail to turn up to pay their tithe. Now, with online payment, they can continue collecting the tithe even when the church-member is working overseas for an extended period of time. With Giro, the church can continue collecting tithes for a few more months even when the member leaves the church as people have a habit of forgetting what they pay on Giro.
4. 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold returns on your church donations
This is where the genius of CHC lies and the secret to its superior earning power. In fact, I have yet to encounter any public-listed company on SGX, HKSE, NYSE, Nasdaq that demonstrates better potential.
The pastor preaches that God will give 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold returns on your tithe. But, you have to be generous in your donations first so that you will receive in harvest proportions. I guess that is the origin of the name City Harvest. Please watch the video “The 10 Laws Of The Harvest” yourself in its entirety and interpret for yourself.
It is a message that cleverly uses an astute understanding of human nature to maximize profits. If I were a CHC member, I will be tempted to increase my tithe as much as possible. Not mincing my words, I am doing it out of pure greed. I do not think I will be alone. It is perfectly fine if members of CHC strongly disagree and thinks that I am not representative for most of them. After all, I can only speak for myself.
5. Quality of customers
With the 100-fold return message, the kind of church members attracted will be most conducive to profit-making. Money-minded people will be attracted to the church. These money-minded people tend to be ambitious and have a great desire to make lots of money. Millionaire minds have a higher chance to become rich. Hence, the quality of customers that CHC attracts are of the highest quality. The richer the church-member, the higher is the church’s tithe per member.
Customer quality will be enhanced through the passage of time due to survivor bias. Suppose out of this pool of Millionaire-Mind Christians, 50% become satisfactorily rich and the remaining 50% still unsatisfactorily middle-class. The 50% who got rich will donate even more because they think their source of wealth comes from their donations. It is most unlikely they will cut back on their tithes because they will be afraid God will punish them by cutting back the returns. If they are not afraid, the church will be there to warn them not to do so. The remaining 50% who did not get rich will be disillusioned and probably leave the church. The loss is of little significance to the church. These people are not rich and their tithes will not amount to much.
Many Christians will be disgusted with the concept of using tithes to get rich. These people will probably leave the church after attending a few Sunday services. Again, the loss is of little significance to CHC. These people will not be highly profitable to the church even if they are rich because they are not going to tithe as much as the others who believe their tithes is the way to wealth.
To the credit of the Pastor, I think he has devised a wonderful process of filtering out non-profitable customers and sucking in the lucrative ones. There is only so much physical space that a church can have to service its church-members. To maximize profits, the church has to ensure that each unit of space is used for servicing lucrative customers.
6. Kill off competition
CHC has tremendous economic moat that kills off competition. In the video “The 10 Laws of The Harvest”, the Pastor cited Law #5 “Your Seed must be planted in Good Ground” which is an effective weapon in killing off his competition – the smaller churches. Many Christians feel that they ought to donate to the needy, smaller churches rather than rich mega-churches like CHC. The Pastor’s argument is that you do not get good returns like 100-fold in the small churches. You have to donate to mega-churches to maximize returns on your tithe because they have a track record (rich church members). In other words, the seed is not planted in good ground when you donate to the small churches. In his own words, “I don’t always give to the neediest but to the ground that will give the greatest yield”. To illustrate his point, he used an analogy on weak banks and strong banks. You do not deposit your money in a weak bank because it desperately needs fresh funds to survive. You deposit your money in a strong bank which invests your money wisely and yields good returns.
The church has an iron-grip on its members who believe its message. As illustrated previously, its customer base is of the highest quality. This is its track record. Existing church-members will definitely not move to another smaller, needier church with poorer track record.
It has a very strong economic moat as it is very hard for its competitors to get its customers to switch over.
7. Providing a place where the rich can network
As the Pastor said, his church provides a good ground on which you can grow your riches. Rightly so, indeed. For property agents or insurance agents trying to hit their sales quota, City Harvest Church will be an ideal place to hunt for lucrative clients. This church concentrates several rich and money-minded people into a single location. The church offers a unique advantage to sell things. In a religious setting, people tend less to be on their guard and can be more easily persuaded to part with their money.
Businessmen also like to network in places where there are rich and powerful people who will come in handy in future. The Pastor has done a good job in gathering such people in his church and it makes good sense to make use of this advantage by joining the church.
The rich will attract more rich and the gathering moss snowballs to provide an ever-rising pool of donation to the church.
8. Preach what people like to hear.
As a teenager, I was discouraged when I read Bible verses like Matthew 19:23-24 “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” and Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
It seems like if I become rich, I will be condemned to hell.
In the video “Rich God? Poor God?”, the Pastor preaches that it is absolutely ok to be rich. Some prophets of God were very rich. (Abraham, David, Solomon)
There is nothing more musical to a money-minded person than to hear that God is on your side in your pursuit of money. The church-members who are more money-minded will love this and donate even more.
9. God pays for the returns, not the church.
The church collects the money, but God pays for the returns. The church does not need to pay a single cent for the 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold returns on the donations.
This is as good as you do the work for me, but not only do I not pay you, I shall also collect your salary. You toil and sweat, but I shall eat your bread. God must surely be a miracle worker and people will pay handsomely for his service. I cannot think of a more advantageous economic position to be in to be able to collect money rendered by a miracle worker.
10. Social pressure to conform in church settings and ease of influence
If everyone around you donates, it is hard not to. When everyone else makes sacrifice, the one who does not will look like an outcast. There is tremendous pressure to conform in such a herd setting.
11. Tremendous future earning power
Take a look at the congregation and you will notice the large number of young people. The income growth of young people is the fastest in the population. In the Pastor’s words, “You may be poor today, but you will not be poor all your life”. That is a long-term business plan in cultivating its customers.
Therefore, if CHC can be viewed as a growth stock, its prospects are very bright as its young customers will accelerate its earnings.
12. Stable earnings in times of depression
Besides being a growth stock, CHC can also be viewed as a defensive and safe stock. People pray hardest when they fall in hard times. Strangely, some people have an urge to tithe when they are in financial troubles.
In fact, in the video (The 10 Laws Of The Harvest), a couple came on stage. They talked about the dire straits they were in when they started out. Things change when God challenged them to GIVE themselves out of poverty (exact words from the speaker). Despite not having any money, they still pledged $250 to the building fund. In his own words again, “we often emptied our savings to give to the House of God knowing that this will be the answer to our financial problems”. Hence, not only will the church earnings be stable in times of depression, it may even grow.
13. Using Prosperity as a theme to appeal to customers
The Pastor preaches Prosperity Gospel which revolves around money. His business genius lies in choosing this theme for his church. Money has universal appeal. Everyone worships money regardless of race, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation. In one fell swoop, he has enlarged his market to cover the entire world. It is much easier to convert people to your belief by dangling money and promising great prosperity. After all, who does not love money?
By enlarging his potential market catchment with a greater chance of increasing membership, more donations will flow in.
14. Tax benefits as church is registered as a charity
This creates a huge, unfair advantage compared to all other businesses. This is what landed CHC in controversy. Enough has been said.
If one day the Pastor switches to become a businessman, I will definitely consider investing in the company that he heads and founds.
If City Harvest Church is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, I will certainly buy it. It will be one stock that I am confident of hitting a return of 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold returns.
PS: People tend not to question critically when it comes to religion. A charming smooth talker can easily sway minds with his interpretation of the Bible. In the final analysis, Faith is about simply believing. You cannot approach it scientifically because there is no way to test religious theories using the scientific method. We will only know the real truth when judgment day comes.
The danger is that there is no accountability on the part of the preacher on whether his teachings are true or not. Even he himself cannot be sure that his interpretations is 100% correct. Given human nature, the interpretations will tend to be self-serving. In fact, it is not only dangerous to the students but to the teacher as well. People will believe their own lies if it yields tempting benefits. That was how Wall Street drank its own Kool-Aid.
While I respect the Pastor for his business savvy, I cannot agree with his interpretations of the Bible. I pray for good health, peace and harmony for my family. Money-minded as I am, I am not comfortable with commercializing my relationship with God by asking for money. The Christian God that I know from my own reading of the Bible is not 财神爷. Of course, if God wants to drop money from heaven on me, I will be more than happy to embrace it.
Source: By think-free-and-fair, An analysis into the wealth of City Harvest Church, http://thinking-free-and-fair.blogspot.sg/2010/03/analysis-into-wealth-of-city-harvest.html, 29/03/2010. (Accessed 09/05/2013.)
C3 Church Watch 
Totally agree. But I can never figure it out – are Kong, Phil genuinely manipulative or genuinely believing and pushing incorrect doctrine? I can’t figure out their motives.
The former.
Do you mind me asking, did/do you attend a c3? I did.
You make a very clear line of argument. Surely money is a total distraction? We won’t be taking it with us or the Egyptian tombs wouldn’t have such relics for us.
People are happy to give to extend the Kingdom… to provide a place for people to worship and come to know the love of God… to use the money to give to those in need… to start new churches around the world…how can anyone condemn a hospital for the soul? Where is there any harm?
People give as they wish. There is no pressure unless you feel the Church is full of sheep and unthinking humans who are indulging perhaps in another form of gambling.
It all falls back upon God regardless . We all face Him and there lies our accountability.
I’m not sure about prophet etc… mere mortals who know the Scriptures … why give any names to them apart from pastor.
There should be no glory. It’s not about the messenger who needs to remain humble and that is their greatest struggle. The only glory goes to God.
Like you, I will do my own thinking and choose to worship in a church that is alive and relevant and based on scripture with relevant analogies from experience … underpinned by the Bible.
I thank you for your expression and am pleased we have the freedom of speech and respect for each other’s opinions.
May God bless you as you walk Life’s journey.
My prayer too is that leaders of successful churches who can draw many into the fold to know about the ultimate sacrifice will have peace from those who cannot provide a real connection but merely one bound in rites and practice rather than relationship,
I hope you are able to feel the Absolute love and connection and closeness to God that I humbly and with a thankful heart know. We don’t all tithe. But to see God’s people grow in numbers and to focus on eternal life and therefore to give generously … surely that makes sense.
Generosity is a gift. Whether it is a smile to another that returns a smile… therein lies joy. Therein lies brotherly love and a compassionate existence creating a better world here until we meet our Maker.
R
“Like you, I will do my own thinking and choose to worship in a church that is alive……”
I’m glad you do!! For years I didn’t. And I’m sure there’s a multitude who don’t.
Sorry just one more quote…
“People give as they wish. There is no pressure unless you feel the Church is full of sheep and unthinking humans who are indulging perhaps in another form of gambling.”
….maybe you haven’t been to a church that pushes the above principles hard, such as particular c3 Churches on given days (depending on who’s preaching or taking the offering). Believe me from my experience, there is pressure, guilt (you’re robbing God – unless you believe that interpretation of Scripture) that comes off pulpits. I used to give out of pressure, despite what they say about God loving a cheerful giver. Yes, God loves a cheerful giver, but if you don’t tithe you’re robbing God and it’s all gonna go wrong, so you’d better give! Oh that’s good you’re giving cheerfully! North Korean style!
Hi Bob… Let’s have Hope that the purest truth emerges then and not hidden agendas.
Thanks for replying. I give as I am happy to give and I have peace over that and I hope you will too. Ultimately it is between you and God.
I love the worship and the messages. The offering isn’t the biggest part to me. Will every soul in every church where there isnt emphasis on tithing be damned? I think not. Take the good from C3?
I understand some can give a hefty message at times. Do they get more $$$ in that service or less? It would be interesting to know.
Did you love the talks at C3?
I’m so glad you know God and may you have a truly blessed week. May more people come to know Jesus through our walk and our joy that we can share.
In City Harvest and those who preach the gospel of health and wealth, generous giving is when you give more than a tithe. Yes they tell you that giving is free will from a cheerful heart, but they never fail to remind you that it must not be less than a tithe. Anything less is not just a lack of faith but robbing God. Is that not pressure and playing on guilt ? For others they play on their greed of multifold returns on their seed money tithe. If you understand it differently and say that CHC and the likes don’t pressure people to give, you are not listening intently to their money sermons like Bereans. You cannot tell people that giving is free will and there is no compulsion andyet at the same time warn them that it should not be less than a tithe or else they are robbing God. Now which is which?
Yes, you’ll find that many churches say that 10% is the “benchmark”, the “absolute minimum”. And….show me where it says that?
Does CAD know more about this conman whose loinks to mentor Canon (who has millions to buy properties in Australia), money siphoned from god-father Isaac ex-methodist pastor and how many millions billed by CH for musical concerts and money thrown to his own organisations?
Why is the govt so silly?
I once gave a $50 dollar bill because i didn’t have change and the attendant who held out the bag was looking at me so i. need. to. give. something. Anything!
There are suckers born every minute. In all cons, the tricksters are after your money, properties or stocks you possess ss they use “cchurch”, god and charity to hide their schemes. They are no religious than you assume them to be. Afterall fake medicines from snake oil sellers promises the elixir of all cures only to fool naives.
Lets examine their religion : for starters Kong Hee fake degree conferred by Pringle – same conspirator, what a joke prosperity gospel, see their sham lives living like Hollywood stars sprnding church funds, scams in sham bonds, cheated in falsified invoices, signed blank cheques on pretence of ease of business as signees travel often like Kong Hee 700k tickets ir more plus lodgings for enturage followers, wife luxurious millions spent in Hollywood expliots, self bought CDs to fake popularity buyback, use “CChristianty” to fake their conmanship week after week to gather donations in the name if their false god and charity …..
Are you sure they are real believers or more like illusionists tricksters?