CItyNews did a fantastic job after the trial, in their interview with Phil Pringle. They gave him enough rope to continue to be misleading but also exposed him as a liar.
ON TOP OF THE FACTS OR NOT?
The video at the end of the CityNews article has Phil Pringle stating:
“It seemed to me that the judge – uh, ruled that- uh, seemed to say the summation- although I couldn’t say I fully understand all of the facts to do with this case [fake smile] against Kong Hee and the other five…”
Thank you CityNews for exposing Phil Pringle as a liar. In past CityNews publications, Phil Pringle asserted that he was “abreast” of what was happening in court and still insisting on Kong Hee’s innocence a few hours before the verdict.
AT THE TIME, IT OBVIOUSLY SEEMED RIGHT?
Think this statement through. How would Phil Pringle know?
“It’s easy on hindsight to pass criticism, but at the time, it obviously seemed right to them, as they had sought professional advice on their plans.”
This begs the question. Was Phil Pringle somehow involved in all this? Thanks to our C3 insiders, we would like Phil Pringle to explain his dialogue with Kong Hee that he reiterated with his church here:
PP: Don’t do anything illegal.
KH: That’s alright. We can do that in Singapore.
PP: You couldn’t do [any of?] that in Sydney. You couldn’t take money out of the building fund. [Source]
“At the time”, it obviously appeared “right” to Phil Pringle since he prophesied over Kong Hee and Sun Ho to buy the SunTec convention center and to take the Crossover Project further into Asia. Wouldn’t it have been handy for “Prophet for Profit” Pringle to prophetically warn Kong Hee and the other five to get themselves into order? Did he offer prophetic advice to CHCs financial governance?
Furthermore, it was Kong Hee who copied Phil Pringle’s financial giving models, practices and philosophies! So was it “right” for Phil Pringle to allow Kong Hee to do this? Remember, Kong Hee blamed Phil Pringle for all the mess he was in:
“You created this mess! You’ve got to come and help us fix it!” [Source]
Another time Kong Hee retold his circumstances of Phil Pringle leading him and said to Pringle “So it’s all your fault, Pastor!”
As long as City Harvest Church keeps Phil Pringle as advisory pastor, you can probably expect another disaster because of his lies and ongoing false prophecies.
PRINGLE REVILING COURT’S VERDICT?
CityNews also asked Pringle how members should react to “revilers”. Pringle’s response?
“The Bible says, don’t revile people who revile us, but bless those who curse us. And leave any negative response in the hands of God. Our calling is to love, to love those who hate us.”
Sounds very hypocritical considering Pringle’s history maligning people in the pulpit and press. We still find this dialogue very entertaining:
“It’s a criminal act to assassinate someone’s character and not be accountable, to be anonymous. So we’re living with a nameless, faceless, spineless group of people who don’t even have the courage or conviction to identity themselves, while we’re up here—you see my face, you know my name, you have all the numbers to use. The idea these Internet haters have that “I’m protecting myself and my family”—what from? If you’re doing the right thing you have nothing to fear. I know we’re [sic] doing the right thing.” [Source]
That quote was taken from a CityNews article in 2014. What’s changed? In the latest interview Phil Pringle is STILL portraying the Singaporean authorities as falsely condemning Kong Hee:
“Jesus was accused of breaking the law and breaching the Sabbath and the law of blasphemy. Paul was accused of treason. Peter was imprisoned for preaching, which was deemed against the law.
We sometimes have sanitized Christian history. But when Jesus was treated like a criminal and executed, his disciples fled. We must learn from these moments that though people make mistakes, it’s not a reason to leave them. When people are unjustly accused or unfairly treated, it’s not a time to depart.“
By using this analogy, Phil Pringle is conveying the idea that either Jesus was rightly condemned for his sins or that Kong Hee was falsely tried and convicted. Now that Jesus Kong Hee and co-accused have been found guilty of all charges, Pringle’s advice to CHC was that “when people are unjustly accused or unfairly treated, it’s not a time to depart.”
How does Phil Pringle convince CHC that Kong Hee is innocent? By appealing fallaciously to piety (“It’s never been popular to be a Christian, especially when you’re standing for somebody or something”), misdirected faith and guidance, experience (“You simply need to trust in the Lord, and trust what you know about Pastor Kong from your years in church”), and mob appeal (“He is endorsed by many ministers around the world and the faithful members of the congregation who’ve been with him since the start”).
It might be time for Phil Pringle to read CHC Confessions.
CHC STANDING STRONG?
Pringle insisted that “The church will stay together.” That is false, the church can stand through anything. But a cult WILL try to stand together. The sad truth is that City Harvest Church IS “built on Kong Hee” and not Jesus Christ.
In answer to a question, Pringle says, “The church is not built on Kong Hee.” In an answer to another, Pringle says, “If you could appeal, you should. [Kong Hee] has a responsibility to CHC to do that—the church needs him.”
So if the church is built on Jesus Christ, then a cult is built on its leader.
The facts are, CHC has suffered terribly through the ongoing trial with many people leaving and its global reputaiton in ruins thanks to Sun Ho’s smutty music productions and Kong Hee’s unbiblical sermon productions. It’s been these false teachers who have persecuted Christ’s church, and Pringle is still standing quite comfortably with them in their defense.
What is absolutely clear now, is how badly Phil Pringle is trying to keep his “sheepskin” on, trying to give the impression that Kong Hee is still qualified to be seen as a minister of God, despite the fact that the bible clearly disqualies him. Ministers have every right to condemn Kong Hee and Phil Prngle for their deceptive behaviour.
It’s Kong Hee, Sun Ho, Phil Pringle and A.R. Bernard who have caused the world to blaspheme the name of Jesus Christ. They have not repented. They have no shame. CHC has clearly departed from the faith “through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared” (2 Timothy 4:2).
It is absolutely unacceptable for Phil Pringle continuing to insist on Kong Hee’s integrity and innocence, and insist that he has the right to remain a minister despite the fact of the bible clearly disqualifying Kong Hee from holding that office. This is why City Harvest Church and the C3 movement are like cults – they are STILL accountable to no one.
CityNews writes,
Phil Pringle, City Harvest Church’s advisory pastor, was in court yesterday morning to support CHC’s senior pastor Kong Hee. We spoke to him after the verdict.
How did you feel when the verdict was delivered?
Obviously, the verdict is very serious. I was initially shocked, and then deeply concerned for the families—I’m praying for comfort for them. I know Kong is more concerned about others, especially about Sun and his family.
I feel that even though the judge commended them for intending to do the right thing, he [found] that the investment strategy of CHC was not acceptable to the law. I think the situation was that he said, “You meant well, but you did wrong.”
It’s easy on hindsight to pass criticism, but at the time, it obviously seemed right to them, as they had sought professional advice on their plans.
I also think that the judge felt that Pastor Kong was the only one making decisions and that everyone was simply doing what he was directing. I think it’s true Pastor Kong presided over the larger vision; however, the activating was certainly in the hands of many people in the team.
The judge noted the facts that Pastor Kong has not wrongfully gained, nor church wrongfully lost money. However, that fact that the funds had been, in his words, misappropriated, attracted the judgment he delivered.
So, in the light of all these events, we remain filled with faith, that the promises of God are not deactivated by negative circumstances. All of us have made mistakes. We can be thankful to God that He continues to work with us through grace despite our shortcomings.
Let’s continue to stand together believing in the sovereign hand of Almighty God.
We’ve prepared for this as best as we could but the shock of the verdict and the flood of attacks from the public—and even friends and family—may be hard for some of our members to take. Remind us again what we should do.
The Bible says, don’t revile people who revile us, but bless those who curse us. And leave any negative response in the hands of God. Our calling is to love, to love those who hate us. We shouldn’t try to engage those who have only negative things to say—if we can’t say anything constructive, we should be silent.
Jesus was accused of breaking the law and breaching the Sabbath and the law of blasphemy. Paul was accused of treason. Peter was imprisoned for preaching, which was deemed against the law.
We sometimes have sanitized Christian history. But when Jesus was treated like a criminal and executed, his disciples fled. We must learn from these moments that though people make mistakes, it’s not a reason to leave them. When people are unjustly accused or unfairly treated, it’s not a time to depart.
How should members deal with public humiliation?
It’s never been popular to be a Christian, especially when you’re standing for somebody or something. Don’t get into that strange thing when you’re persecuted and you think, “They appear so good, yet the verdict from court has declared them wrong.” You simply need to trust in the Lord, and trust what you know about Pastor Kong from your years in church. He is endorsed by many ministers around the world and the faithful members of the congregation who’ve been with him since the start.
Do you, as our advisory pastor, think we are prepared for this?
More than anybody! The church will stay together. You’ll be strong. You’ll only get stronger. The church is not built on Kong Hee. It’s built on Jesus Christ. The church is more together and more resilient than you think it is. It survives any kind of persecution. The worst kind is when Christians fight against each other, when ministers criticize each other. It’s the worst kind because it’s confusing for the younger believers.
At this moment Pastor Kong is still discussing with his lawyers about an appeal. Do you think he should? Would it be prideful if he did?
To not appeal is to say “Okay, I guess I’m a criminal.” It’s not an arrogant pride. It’s a pride that says “I know who I am. I am not a criminal.” If you could appeal, you should. He has a responsibility to CHC to do that—the church needs him.
It’s a tough time for us all. What do you want us to fill our minds with?
This is the God of Jesus Christ, of David, of Moses—all who seemed like they were in impossible circumstances, but God delivered them. God’s glory is manifested in the darkest hour. We can trust God: His love for CHC will shine through.
Phil Pringle will be preaching, together with CHC’s advisory chairman AR Bernard at CHC the weekend 31 Oct and 1 Nov, 2015.
Source: City News Team, Phil Pringle: “CHC Will Only Get Stronger”, CityNews, http://www.citynews.sg/2015/10/phil-pringle-chc-will-only-get-stronger/, Updated on October 22, 2015 at 4:56 pm. (Accessed 22/10/2015.)
C3 Church Watch 
CHC is a very worldy church, read CHC confessions and you’ll get a glimpse of how ungodly that church is. Will somebody whom is close to PHIL be kind enough and loving enough to correct him. Or is it that all those around him are just as deceived as PHIL. I’ve heard that everyone in his sphere are yes men, too afraid to say anything.
You are absolutely right Pringle runs the ship and all his soldiers obey, too scared to disagree or correct Phil if something is not right they are all yes men.
It’s amazing how the word repent is so elusive in c3 doctrine . I am a sinner and I am saved , I repent for I am a sinner still saved by gods grace . But repent I do . Those who are in places of authority in the church God help you !,,,, repent stand down and ask forgiveness of God and the church and let God get on with His kingdom not yours
Phil says that, and notice the disclaimer before the statement, the judge said they meant well but stumbled with the investments. He makes it sound like they were just some naive do gooders who misunderstood some obscure and technical financial law. Really Phil? Really? What the judge actually said was that they KNEW they were acting dishonestly.
Why is the truth so hard to tell Phil? You don’t like it do you, and you seem to avoid it at all costs. Have you ever admitted the truth about your “doctorate”?
I hope people do their own research on this rather than listening to the fantasy version PP is trying to spin. PP should be ashamed of his conduct in this case, and I really hope Singapore declare him persona non grata for the comments he has made about that great country.
‘I hope people do their own research on this rather than listening to the fantasy version PP is trying to spin.’
I heard of one long-time rusted-on C3 member who has, after many years in the organisation, done the unthinkable – they have disobeyed Pringle’s warnings and have checked out the Kong Hee case via Google. It’s a bit like a dam, which can be destroyed by the smallest of cracks – as soon as someone reads just one article and starts following a few links, the blinkers are suddenly off (no wonder Phil Pringle loves the Internet so much).
Hey Phil, can you hear that murmuring? That’s the sound of plotting by those who are close to you. You’ve crossed quite a few people and bruised any number of egos in your time, and now they can sense an opportunity to settle old scores who have long been biding their time. I’d warn you to watch your back, but it won’t do any good – you are old and slow, and the Kong Hee scandal is for you a grievous wound that will not heal and a blemish that will never go away. You are going to be consigned to the scrap heap, and you will be a forgotten man – you won’t even be a footnote, just the Apostle who never was. You have sought fame and have craved the adulation of the crowds, but the twilight years of your utterly meaningless life will be spent in total obscurity.
“Obviously, the verdict is very serious.”
Really Phil? How very insightful of you – perhaps you’ve gone to the trouble of doing some research for a change, and you understand what sort of gaol time Kong Hee is facing now that he has been found guilty of criminal betrayal of trust. “Criminal” has a real ring to it, doesn’t it Phil? Yes, your best mate and star pupil has been adjudged a criminal – what wonderful fruit your ministry has yielded.
“I was initially shocked …”
Why, Phil? Aren’t you a self-proclaimed prophet? You have already “prophesied” that Kong wouldn’t go to gaol – I’m really surprised that when God informed you of that fact, he somehow neglected to mention that Kong and his mates were actually guilty as charged.
“… I’m praying for comfort for them.”
That’s nice, Phil. It’s really the least you could do, isn’t it? After all, you are the one who has to shoulder a great deal of the blame for what has happened. And I’m quite sure that if Kong goes down for a twenty year stretch in Changi prison, he’ll feel *so* much better about it knowing that he will remain in your prayers. (While you’re at it, don’t forget to pray for Kong’s son, who is probably going to grow up without a father thanks to your wonderful discipling).
“… [the Judge found] that the investment strategy of CHC was not acceptable to the law.”
It’s funny that, isn’t it Phil? After all, you yourself understand that diverting monies from a restricted fund is illegal, and in fact you even warned Kong Hee in that regard (or at least you *claim* to have warned him). You have even had some personal experience of the trouble that can ensue when one plays fast and loose with building fund contributions, in the case of the C3 Balmain scandal. C3 decided not to roll the dice on that one didn’t they Phil, instead meekly backing down and settling the matter on the steps of the High Court of Australia.
So are you really surprised by the judge’s finding, Phil? Either you are suffering from a really dodgy memory (too many acid trips in your youth?), or you are being very economical with the truth.
“I think it’s true Pastor Kong presided over the larger vision; however, the activating was certainly in the hands of many people in the team.”
You really are quite the dullard, aren’t you Phil? The effete and weak-willed “Pastor” Kong was simply playing Ahab to his vain and domineering wife’s Jezebel; it is in fact the talentless Sun Ho and her pop star fantasy project that have been the real fly in the ointment. For someone who is reputed to be an Apostle, you really don’t understand very much, do you? I guess you must have missed out on the spiritual gift of common sense.
“… the fact that the funds had been, in [the judge’s] words, misappropriated, attracted the judgement he delivered.”
Kong Hee took SG$24,000,000 from the CHC building fund and spent it chasing his wife’s dreams, and all that’s left to show for it is a couple of execrable songs. I’d be really, really interested to hear what you yourself call that, Phil – if it isn’t misappropriation, what exactly is it?
“All of us have made mistakes.”
How very true, Phil. Your biggest mistake in life was befriending Kong Hee.
“This is the God of Jesus Christ, of David, of Moses”
What a shame that He isn’t the God of Kong Hee or Phil Pringle.
Phil Pringle is an outright liar. Just like his star pupil Con Hee.
Yeah, um, yeah, um, urr, Phil I don’t um, urr, believe you…
Hope he still reads this page.
Using Jesus & the apostles to justify Kong’s finding of guilt??
All CHC members have been lied to and CHC members have funded with their hard earned money the vain and desperate attempt by Kong’s wife to become famous in the pop culture world, she has compromised her values and lived a movie star lifestyle with misappropriated CHC members money. She and Kong should resign from all positions of authority within CHC and a complete wholesale flush out of the Church Board should occur without any involvement of advisory Pastors like Phil Pringle who miserably failed to disciple Kong Hee over the past years. Also Phil Pringle needs to be reprimanded and corrected for his own failure to tell the truth on the CHC scandal , unfortunately there is no one that will do this as his fellow leaders within C3 are just yes men and as far as I know Phil’s mentor The korean church leader Mr Yonggi Cho been shown to be corrupt and convicted with tax evasion , no hope here. Phil man up and tell the truth to your church members who you asked to fund Kong Hee with their hard earned money you have truely failed as a leader if you won’t be honest. Remember God Knows All truth!!!
I noticed there’s now no mention of King Kong on Phil’s Facebook page…..would a mentor abandon his star pupil so quickly?
I checked out Phil’s facebook page and found this gem:
“You will maximise people’s potential simply by believing in them.”
You always believed in Kong Hee, didn’t you Phil? Could you post a comment here and explain to us exactly what went wrong?
RJB: We think you’ll find Phil Pringle lets others do his “watchdogging” for him – it’s the nature of a coward.
A big part of the problem is it is treated like a business. C3 comes across as numbers driven hence promoting how many attend Kong Hee’s church and Yonggi Cho’s services, the 20/20 vision on how many people in a C3 church etc. If more time was spent on being Kingdom focused rather than treating like an Amway business for their own prestige and benefits C3 would have a better name