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Tag Archives: Presence Conference 2013

Kong Hee & Phil Pringle: It Is Not About The Numbers… Right?

07 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by Nailed Truth in C3 & Pringles Associations

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

c3, CHC, Christian City Church, City Harvest Church, hillsong, hillsong church, Kong Hee, Phil Pringle, Presence Conference, Presence Conference 2012, Presence Conference 2013

Church growth numbers is a common talking point with Kong Hee and Phil Pringle to stress their credibility to audiences. We’ve seen Pringle use figure-boosting tactics to encourage people to give money. We’ve seen Pringle use this scheme to elevate such men as Kong Hee at his Presence Conferences. 

As a result, critics of critics often elevate the success of these men and their churches by spouting church figures to groups or individuals like us. We are seen as wrong by Hillsong, C3 and the CHC cults because C3 Church Watch is not supposedly changing thousands of lives unlike them. But when has church numbers ever been the standard of who’s right or wrong? Is not the only standard the Word of God?

But that’s all right! According to these cults their false teachers also parrot the common phrase, “It’s not about the numbers”… Really?

If Kong Hee and Phil Pringle continually stress “It’s not about the numbers”, why do they both continually mislead the public with highly exaggerated church figures?

In 2010, the investigations into City Harvest Church started. Many heard that their numbers were in decline. However in 2012, C3 advertised Kong Hee on their Presence Conference website:

“I CAN SEE A NEW GENERATION OF CHRISTIANS WITH THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, PRAYING LIKE NEVER BEFORE”

We welcome back Kong Hee, founder and leader of the mighty City Harvest Church in Singapore. Along with his wife Sun, Kong has grown his great congregation to over 28,000 members through passionate prayer and discipleship. His teaching on the cultural mandate fules [sic] his passion for being engaged in all levels of society and has had a great impact on the [sic] throughout the world.

Source: Conference Speakers, http://www.myc3church.net/presence12/speakers.html. (Accessed 15/03/2012.)

So we are told between 2011 and 2012 that Kong Hee has a congregation of 28,000. That same number was still advertised between 2012 to 2013.

The C3 Global Presence Conference 2013 advertised Kong Hee with this profile:

“Kong is the founder and leader of City Harvest Church in Singapore. Along with his wife Sun, Kong has grown his congregation to over 28,000 members through passionate prayer and discipleship…”

Source: presenceconference.com. (Accessed 01/05/2013.)

proof_presenceconference-KHee_

So in 2012 and 2013 Kong Hee has had a congregation of 28,000 people right?

To this day we have continually hear conflicting reports that his church has dropped significantly in numbers since investigations started back in 2010. At different times at various Presence Conference sessions Kong Hee has also confirmed that his church is slowly growing again in numbers. It appears that the church numbers conveniently change to suit either his persecuted status or his infallible Apostle-like status. This seems to be done to charm his naive audiences.

We bring all this to your attention for this reason.

Recently the CHC Confessions Facebook group posted up information from a CHC insider:

CHC was never a 30,000-member church as KH claimed over and over again, even as recently as last weekend during his sermon.

CHC congregation size and attendance reached a peak in the year 2009, and have since been decreasing steadily. The figures are as follows:

YEAR-END average attendance:
– Year 2009: 28,134 *
– Year 2010: 23,256 * (decreased by 4.9k or 17.3%)
– Year 2011: 22,825 ^ (decreased by 0.4k or 1.9%)
– Year 2012: 19,462 ^ (decreased by 3.3k or 14.7%)

Congregation size:
– Year 2009: 23,565 *
– Year 2010: 22,049 * (decreased by 1.5k or 6.4%)
– Year 2011: 20,619 ^ (decreased by 1.4k or 6.5%)
– Year 2012: 19,819 ^ (decreased by 0.8k or 3.9%)

FULL-YEAR average weekly attendance:
– Year 2009: 19,375 *
– Year 2010: 17,960 * (decreased by 1.4k or 7.3%)
– Year 2011: 16,774 # (decreased by 1.2k or 6.6%)
– Year 2012: 15,402 # (decreased by 1.4k or 8.2%)

Notes:
*Reported by KH at a Leaders’ Meeting in March 2011
^Reflected in CHC Progress Report 2011/2012
#Estimated based on previous years’ trend

Source: CHC Confessions, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/CHCConfessions/posts/678643085488405, 05/10/2013. (Accessed 06/10/2013.)

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Who Is Prophet Kong Hee Accountable To If He Publicly Belittles His CHC Eldership?

29 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by Nailed Truth in C3 & Pringles Associations

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

c3 global presence conference, C3 Presence Conference, CHC, chc scandal, china video, china wine, china wine music video, china wine video, global presence, global presence conference, Global Presence Conference 2013, Hee, Kong Hee, Phil Pringle, Presence Conference 2013, Presence Global, raunchy, scandal, sex video, yonggi cho

At Presence Conference 2013, Kong Hee decided to belittle many of his “elders” in front of thousands of Christians. It appears Kong Hee only gets orders from Yonggi Cho (who is also currently under investugation for mishandling church finances) and Phil Pringle. Is this the way a ‘pastor’ should behave? Who is Kong Hee accountable too? Is he accountable to only Phil Pringle and Yonggi Cho?

Kong Hee also claimed that God spoke to him about Hebrews 13:5-6. This is what the passage actually says in it’s greater context:

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings…” Hebrews 13:4-6

Consider Sun Ho’s sexually immoral ‘China Wine’ music video. Consider all of Kong Hee’s obsessive sermons on the topic of money. Does Kong Hee teach his members to “be content with what you have”? Isn’t it convenient for Kong Hee’s “God” to twist the scriptures to elevate the man Kong Hee? If an elder of his church came up and tried to correct Kong Hee, would Kong make fun of that elder at another church conference elsewhere around the world? As a leader of CHC, should we consider the outcome of Kong Hee’s way of life and imitate his faith?

Here is the video and the transcript.

“I came back from Korea and it really was strengthened by my time with Dr Cho and Ps Phil. Pastor Phil kept pumping faith into me. Pumping faith into me. “Come on Kong! Rise up in faith!”

You see for two years, I got to backtrack a little bit, for two years when this whole case happened, I was- I was depressed. I was down. And many of my elders and many of my leaders came to me and said, “Kong! It’s all your fault. Always preaching faith! And you must always have big visions and dreams! Why must you buy SunTec Convention Center? Why don’t you just be a nice- why can’t we be just nice group of people, have a small neighbourhood church- we have ten thousand people. Why don’t we just cruise? Why must you always preach about faith? Can you just stop preaching about faith for a while?”

So I said, “Alright. Let’s choose love.” So I start preaching about love. For two years I preach about love. Dr Cho and Ps Phil say, “Kong, enough about love [Audience laughs]. Get back to faith. Get back to faith. Get back to faith. Hallelujah! [Audience applauses] Have the spirit of faith. C’mon! Give the Lord a big hand.

So I went back to Singapore. I went back to Singapore. I said, “Guys open up your bible. Go with me to Mark 11. Jesus says, “Have faith in God”.  I could see the first row. They got a little nervous.

“What is pastor doing?”

I said, “I’m going to preach about faith!” They almost freak out. “Faith! Again! FAITH!!!”

You know just before I came into the hall, the Lord spoke to me. He spoke to me a verse: Hebrews 13:5 to verse 6.

‘For He himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”, so we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?” [Crowd applauds]

So I came in. I just preached a sermon like what I just mentioned a moment ago. People in the front row they were a little nervous. But as it gets further back they seemed to be happy. Everyone’s elbowing everyone else, “Pastor is back! Pastor is back! He’s preaching  faith again!” So we had a great service.

And then I got everyone to stand up. And I said, “Come lets lift up our hands and let’s begin to pray”. So they were praying. (Much of what you did earlier when Ps Chris was here.) And then the Holy Spirit said to me- He said, “Kong, do you believe what I just told you: Hebrews 13, that I would never leave you nor forsake you?”

I said, “Jesus, I do believe”.

He says, “So what does the verse say? It says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you so we may boldly say”. Kong I want you to “boldly say” it!”

I said, “I can do that! I think I can do that.” So what is the first line? It says, “The Lord is my helper”. So I was telling the people, “We are having a time of prayer. A time of worship.” And I say, “The Lord just spoke to me. He will never leave us. He will not forsake us”. And there was a huge roar.

“Woahhh! Jesus we love you! Jesus you’ll not leave us forsake us.” So I’m gonna say it! So everyone was waiting for me. I say, “The Lord is my helper!” Big roar from the back to the front, “Woaaaah!”

Front people still getting nervous. [Audience laughs] So the Holy Spirit say, “Good! Good! Continue! Say the next line.” I said, “Okay. I can say that. ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not fear’.”

“Woaaah!” [They] clapped, they were shouting, they were jumping, “We will not be afraid! Hallelujah!” And then Jesus said, ‘Why don’t you finish it’? I said, “Okay. I can do that. ‘The Lord is my helper! I will not fear! What can-‘” [Audience: “Man”]

Wait! What can- [whispers ‘man’]. I said, “Lord! This is live streaming.” I said, “This is Singapore.” I said, “There are a lot of people taking down notes right now.” I said, “If I made a statement like that, would I be misconstrued for being defiant? What happens after the service? What- the next thing- the usual thing happened the next morning- *beepu-beepu*.

“On the TV this morning, mega-church pastor Kong Hee has been called in for making the statement, ‘What can man do to me’.” [Audience laughs]

So I was struggling. I was really struggling. My wife was leading song. “He’s looking at me. Kong what’s wrong? I mean we’ve been singing and prasing. C’mon! Finish what you’ve- lets close the meeting.”

I struggled and I struggled. And I tell you that’s what faith is. When all is said and done are you bold enough to speak out what you believe? Finally, I took up every courage I have saying, “The Lord is my helper. I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME”. And at that moment it’s like heaven broke open and just an anointing THAT hit our place. And from that day unto today the spirit of faith came upon us. [Crowd applauses] We are not the same church we used to be. Oh come on! Give the Lord a big hand!

Oh! If you want to clap somebody? Give the Lord a clap! Somebody scream! [Crowd screams] Somebody go ‘woooo’! [Crowd: Wooo!] Lets all stand on our feet right now shall we? Let’s all stand up on our feet right now. How many of you want to have some faith in this room this morning? Hallelujah!

I wonder how many of you today you need a miracle in your life. If you need a miracle, just put up your hands. Would you just hold your neighbours hands on your left on your right. Just hold your neighbours hand. Let there be no aisles today. Let’s declare this as loud as we can in Jesus name.

Everybody say with me say, “Lord Jesus Christ, [Audience: Lord Jesus Christ ] I forbid any sickness [Audience: I forbid any sickness ] to dwell in my body [Audience: to dwell in my body]. By your stripes I’m healed [Audience: By your stripes I’m healed]. I’m blessed in my finances [Audience: I’m blessed in my finances]. The money will come [Audience: The money will come]. The business will come! [Audience: The business will come!] I will prosper in all that I do! [Audience: I will prosper in all that I do!] In Jesus name I pray- [Audience: In Jesus name I pray-]

If you believe that give the Lord a clap.” – Kong Hee, Presence Conference, Day 1, Session 1: 01:25:10, 2013.

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Kong Hee Casting A “Power of Confession” Over Steven Furtick At Presence Conference 2013

02 Sunday Jun 2013

Posted by Nailed Truth in C3 & Pringles Associations

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

c3 church, c3 global, c3 global presence conference 2013, c3 international, C3 Presence Conference, C3 Presence Conference 2013, C3i, ccc church, ccc global, CCC Global Presence Conference 2013, ccc Presence Conference, CCC Presence Conference 2013, cccglobal, ccci, City Harvest Church, Global Presence Conference 2013, Kong Hee, power of confession, Presence Conference, Presence Conference 2013, Presence Global, Singapore

If you are still questioning if Kong Hee is a Word of Faith heretic, here is Kong at Presence Conference encouraging thousands of Christians to cast a “power of confession” on Steven Furtick to speak at City Harvest Church, Singapore.

We would like to remind our readers that this is not a Christian practice and must NOT be practiced.

Kong isn’t laughing. If you watch the clip, Kong is very determined to get Steven Furtick to speak at his church. The force is strong with the Kong.

We may be looking at doing an article on this if there are any questions as to why this is not a Christian practice.

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Kong Hee Uploads Phil Pringle Praying Over “Pastor Sun Ho”

31 Friday May 2013

Posted by Nailed Truth in C3 & Pringles Associations

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

c3, c3 global presence conference 2013, c3 oxford falls, C3 Presence Conference, c3oxfordfalls, ccc, CHC, china wine, Christian City Church, City Harvest Church, global presence conference, kong, Kong Hee, Pastor China Wine, Phil Pringle, presence 2013, Presence Conference 2013, Pringle, Sun Ho

Four years ago, Kong Hee wrote an article titled “Wholesome Shallowness?“. In this article Kong Hee verbally bashed pastors who took issue with Sun Ho’s Music video, “China Wine”. He justified their behaviour by claiming that Sun Ho was not a pastor nor did she work for any religious organisation.

“In 2007, my wife Sun released a music video of the hit single, “China Wine,” . . . the video also raised quite a few eyebrows within the religious fraternity who felt it was inappropriate for a Christian to be featured in a dance video.

Although Sun is married to me, she herself was never formally ordained as a minister. She never felt gifted with a pulpit ministry. . . Yet, in spite of all her secular and creative achievements, many conservative pastors find it hard to accept Sun in any role outside of church ministry. But the reality is that she is no longer a church staff or a gospel singer. She doesn’t work for any religious organization.

As a professional artist, Sun has to take on many dramatic stage personas. This is what entertainers do. In the “China Wine” video, she happens to be acting in one such role. . . I think the struggle many pastors have is the difficulty to separate her association with me (as a pastor’ wife) and her career as a singer. I agree that if she is a “pastor” or “preacher,” perhaps the video would have been inappropriate. But Sun is not a pastor. She is an entertainer. All her music videos were not produced by the church but by her secular music label, the company that she is working for.”

We can now safely say this was not true. Kong Hee once again has let everyone know that Sun Ho is indeed a “Pastor”. We could have uploaded the footage we have of Phil Pringle praying over “Pastor” Sun Ho at Presence Conference 2013. Instead, we decided to record Kong Hee’s upload of Phil Pringle praying over “Pastor Sun Ho”.

The censorship and the deceit of Phil Pringle was staggering at Presence Conference. Phil Pringle simply presented that Kong Hee and CHC are being persecuted by the Singaporean authorities. To mislead thousands of Christians and pastors around the world without reporting the facts of Kong Hee’s charges and court case should cause a concern to Christians everywhere. The two-faced nature of this entire scandal is mindblowing.

If Christians at Presence Conference 2013 knew that Pastor Sun Ho performed her raunchy video China Wine, would they honestly be united in prayer over this issue? If they knew that Kong Hee was being charged for mishandling millions of dollars to finance her wife’s music career would they be opening up their hearts, minds and spirits to a very dodgy ministry?

Even local Singaporean news found it necessary to point out the fact that Sun Ho is no longer separating her lifestyle from her music activities. The Straits Time reported Sun Ho saying,

“I am very thankful to Jesus that I can resume my executive duties at such a crucial time for City Harvest Church”.

Kong And Sun In Paper

Executive duties? So… Is ‘da dutty China Wine’ now an executive pastor at City Harvest Church?

Do Christians and pastors honestly want to pray and support a worldly pastor that ‘evangelises’ the world as a chinese geisha (prostitute)? Do Christians want to support Kong Hee who belittles pastors and Christians who are upset with his wife? Do Christians want to honestly be in agreement with double-speaking Phil Pringle and Kong Hee?

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“How To Not Be Deceived, Bamboozled or Snookered by Religious Hucksters” This Presence Conference

25 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by Nailed Truth in C3 & Pringles Associations, Uncategorized

≈ 31 Comments

Tags

Bamboozled, c3 church, c3 global presence conference, c3 global presence conference 2013, C3 Presence Conference, c3 presence conference2013, Chris Rosebrough, conference, deceived, Fighting For the Faith, Furtick, global presence conference, Idolatry, Kong Hee, pastor phil pringle, Phil Pringle, Presence Conference, Presence Conference 2013, Pringle, Religious Hucksters, rort, scam, sham, Snookered, Steve Furtick, Steven Furtick

Since the C3 Presence Conference 2013 is on this week, we thought it might be wise that Christians discern what is being said in the name of God to the Word of God.

If C3 Presence Conference is anything like the last few years, you will not be getting anything that resembles biblical Christianity. For this reason, we would like to provide our listeners with this fantastic resource so you can see through the lies of Phil Pringle, Chris Pringle, Steven Furtick and the notorious Kong Hee.

How to Not Be Deceived, Bamboozled or Snookered by Religious Hucksters, Snake Oil Con Men or Your Own Idolatrous Notions (Part 1)

Part 2 can be heard here:

APRIL 10, 2013

HOW TO NOT BE DECEIVED, BAMBOOZLED OR SNOOKERED – SESSION 2A

Click Here to Download this episode

Program segments:

• How to Not Be Deceived, Bamboozled or Snookered by Religious Hucksters, Snake Oil Con Men or Your Own Idolatrous Notions – Session 2b

To download a PDF of the PowerPoint slides for this lecture Click Here

Source: Fighting For The Faith, http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/2013/04/how-to-not-be-deceived-bamboozled-or-snookered-session-2b.html. (Acceesed 22/04/2013.)

Part 3 can be heard here:

APRIL 24, 2013

How to Not Be Deceived, Bamboozled or Snookered – Session 3

Click Here to Download this episode

Program segments:

• How to Not Be Deceived, Bamboozled or Snookered by Religious Hucksters, Snake Oil Con Men or Your Own Idolatrous Notions – Session 3

To download a PDF of the PowerPoint slides for this lecture Click Here

Source: Fighting For The Faith, http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/2013/04/how-to-not-be-deceived-bamboozled-or-snookered-session-3.html. (Acceesed 25/04/2013.)

If you are planning to attend the C3 Presence Conference, hold on to your bible, your mind and your wallet at all cost.

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C3 Inviting “Cult Leader” Furtick To Presence Conference 2013

09 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by Nailed Truth in C3 & Pringles Associations

≈ 28 Comments

Tags

C3 Presence Conference, C3 Presence Conference 2013, C3 Presence Conference 2013 Sydney, ccc Presence Conference, CCC Presence Conference 2013, CCC Presence Conference 2013 Sydney, Chris Rosebrough, Code Orange Revival, cult, Fighting For the Faith, Furtick, Phil Pringle, Presence Conference, Presence Conference 2013, Pringle, Rosebrough, Steven Furtick, sydney presence conference

Presence Conference 2013

Quick recap, Chris Rosebrough from Fighting For The Faith, thoroughly examined the behaviour of Steven Furtick and his church at the Code Orange Revival, (which Phil Pringle endorsed). At this man-made revival event, Perry Noble preached that Steven Furtick WAS a Messiah. The only guest invited to speak that preached the gospel was Matt Chandler who also gave a profound message that insisted the “bible was not you”. The result of this sermon was an angry Furtick who went out of his way to censor the gospel and Matt Chandler’s biblical message. As a result of the despicable nature of Furtick’s handling of events was this conclusion by Chris Rosebrough :

“Based on the performance I have that I’ve seen… I think it is safe to say that Steven Furtick is a cult leader. I know that might come as a shock to some of you but I mean, based on what his followers have been saying to me privately and pubicly on twitter as well as in email and other stuff like that- I mean this guy is a cult leader. He is the visionary. He’s the man of God. He’s the new Messiah. But he’s not.” – Chris Rosebrough, The Antidote to Antichrist’s Anti-Truth: 08:30,http://0352182.netsolhost.com/F4F012012.mp3, 20/01/2012.

Read what we’ve covered in these articles here:

Noble Preaches Furtick Is Messiah While Pringle Prepares Presence For Furtick

Phil Pringle Endorsing Problematic Steve Furtick for Presence Conference 2012

Chris Rosebrough Labels Steve Furtick’s Church A Cult

Follower of Furtick Says They Were “Consistently Ingesting Spiritual Poison”

Phil Pringle however has invited the “Word of God” to come back down to preach at his Presence Conference.

Presence Conference 2013 Website, Accessed 04/08/2013.

Presence Conference 2013 Website, Accessed 04/08/2013.

Shockingly, more news has come out about the dangerous nature of Furtick’s Elevation ‘church’. While we do not agree with various things about ‘FBC Jax Watchdogs’, the information they spill is worth reporting. We wish to thank FBC Jax Watchdogs for this startling information about Steve Furtick. (Download the pdf of the volunteer contract form HERE before reading.)

Let’s hope that Phil Pringle does not copy this idea from Steven Furtick.

Elevation Church and Steven Furtick: Volunteer to Be Sued!

Apr 04, 2013 dee

Nothing is more likely to destroy a species or a nation than a determination to survive at all costs. — C.S. Lewis

Contrary to popular blogger belief, TWW does not need to “go looking” for controversy. We have been around for 4 years and have developed a reputation that we give a hoot about people who have been hurt, let down, and abused by churches. The church leaders have their fan clubs of admiring wannabe pastors and church leaders. They pay the dough to sit in their presence at the interminable conferences held in nice places all over the world.

Who is the fan club for those hurt by these churches and leaders? Well, TWW is one. Julie Anne Smith at Spiritual Sounding Board and Kris at SGM Survivors are others. All of us raise red flags to help people know about church settings that are optimized for potential abuse.

This past week we got an email from an individual who referred to a contract that volunteers, as well as church employees, must sign at Elevation Church.

“I also grabbed it as well if it disappears. The whole thing is unconscionable in fact, if not actually in law. I plan on showing this to a few of my lawyer buddies online to see what they think.”

This individual went onto to call this document a pile of codswallop (or something similar).Frankly, I agree. TWW has written a number of posts outlining the potential pitfalls of signing membership covenants. Here are a few.

  • Membership Covenant Red Flags
  • Spiritual Abuse Final Exam – Analyze a Membership Covenant
  • Another Mars Hill “Testimony:  One More Reason to Beware of Covenants
  • Mark Dever / 9 Marks Edict – You Cannot Resign W/O Permission
  • ​Peacemaker or Kingmaker?  Beware of “Covenants”

The legal issue is key

When signing one of these “covenants,” potential church members should understand that they are signing a legal document. We are warning you: these documents have been vetted by church attorneys.

The pastors go all “nicey, nicey” on the likely member, explaining that this is simply a “biblical” way to demonstrate that one is committing oneself to praying for, and supporting, the local body of Christ. Then everyone joins hands and sings “Kumbaya” while reveling in the loving unity of the local body. That is, until an unsuspecting person asks the wrong question and finds themselves on the receiving end of some “loving” church discipline with little recourse. Said person can run but the church can legally report them to the next church (and they do). Please refer to this post on TWW on how to legally extricate yourself from an abusive church.

If you insist on signing a church contract, consult your own attorney.

These covenants were invented by lawyers to protect the church leadership, as well as the church assets, from liability. These are not meant to protect you. (Repeat 10x).What makes this practice particularly despicable is that prospective members are rarely advised that they are signing a legal document or that they should consider getting legal advice prior to signing it.

We have often said that smart people should not sign these documents without first consulting with their own (not the church’s) attorney. Better yet, they should ask themselves why they would join a church that would not tell them that they are signing a legal document.

Is paranoia a biblical value at Steven Furtick’s Elevation Church?

Deb and I wanted to visit Elevation Church and listen to Furtick speak in person. We called the church office to ask when and where he would be preaching because there are multiple campuses. But, they have a funny little rule. They won’t tell you. It is against the rules. No matter which way I asked the question, the administrative person refused to answer me. Is this paranoia? Sure seems like it.

The infamous volunteer/employee contract is gaining fame.

The following document has been making its way around Charlotte, NC and has been picked up by Stuff Christian Culture Likes on Facebook link. It is a confidentiality agreement that must be signed by employees and anyone who wishes to “volunteer” at Steven Furtick’s Elevation Church in Charlotte link. Some smart folks, knowing that such a document might tend to “disappear” (imagine that!) made sure to post it on Dropbox here. (It takes a few seconds to load).

For those of you who have not had the opportunity to meet, or hear about, mega-pastor Furtick, we have embedded a well-known video called “Hey, Haters” at the end of the post. He is good buddies with Ed Young Jr link and Perry “oppose us and oppose God” Noble link which probably says it all. So, this man who says he is into peace and love and wants to restore a “hope of a nation,” has created a document to “insure” you stay “unified.”

Here is most of the document. You can view the whole thing at the above link. I have highlighted a few things. I also introduce each section.

It’s all about gossip and slander but these terms are not defined. Note the legalese.

THIS CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) dated __________________, is by and between Elevation Church (“Church”) and
________________________________________ (referred to as “I” or “me” below).
WHEREAS, the Church and I agree that the Bible was inspired by God and written by man without error and is completely relevant to our daily life;
WHEREAS, the Scriptures forbid the spreading of gossip, slander and the betraying of confidences (Exodus 23:1; Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 6:19, 11:13, 16:28, 20:19; Romans 1:30; 1 Corinthians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 12:20 and Titus 2:3);
WHEREAS, as an inducement to the Church to allow me to volunteer, or to hire me or continue to employ me, or to provide me access to its confidential  information, or to provide me compensation and/or benefits, as the case may be, I have agreed to execute this Agreement and be bound by its terms and covenants.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, I agree to be bound by the terms, conditions and covenants set forth herein:

They say you must disclose things if required to do so by the law but you must alert them immediately if you do so. Oh yeah, and be careful not to say too much.

1. CONFIDENTIALITY
1.1 Duty to Maintain Confidentiality.
I promise and agree that, except to the extent the use or disclosure of any Confidential Information (as defined below) is required to carry out my assigned duties with the Church, during my employment or
volunteering with the Church and thereafter: (a) I will keep strictly confidential and not disclose to any person not employed by the Church any Confidential Information, and (b) I will not use for myself or for any other person or entity any Confidential Information.
However, this provision shall not preclude me: (i) from the use or disclosure of information known generally to the public, other than as a result of my violation of this Section; or (ii) from any disclosure required by law or court order, so long as I provide the Church immediate written notice of any potential disclosure pursuant to this subsection and take all reasonable and lawful steps to limit the extent of such disclosure.

Of course, it is wrong to share prayer requests as you will note in (i). However, look at what else one must keep secret.

1.2 Definition.
The term “Confidential Information” means all non-public information furnished to, obtained by, or
created by me within the course and scope of my work (volunteer or otherwise) with the Church. Confidential Information includes,but is not limited to, such information relating to: (i) Church participants, including lists, contact information, prayer requests personal information; (ii) the Church’s finances, including personal financial/salary information related to the Church’s financial statements, balance sheets, offerings information, cash flow, forecasts and cost analyses; (iii) the Church’s plans and projections for opportunities for new or developing ideas; and/or (iv) the Church’s research and development activities and technical data.

Then, one must agree that this is all very reasonable.

2. REASONABLENESS OF RESTRICTIONS
I recognize that the terms of this Agreement are necessary to protect the Church’s confidential information and the sensitivity of such information. I also agree that its terms are fair and reasonable. Thus, I agree not to contest the general validity or enforceability of this Agreement. The covenants in this Agreement shall survive the termination or end of my employment or volunteering with the Church as set forth above, regardless of the date, reason or manner of my separation. I acknowledge that this Agreement is supported by good and valuable consideration.

And, if you happen to mention that the church is thinking about offering Zumba in the sanctuary on Mondays, you can get your pants sued off you.

3. GENERAL PROVISIONS
3.1 Remedies Available to the Church for My Breach.
I acknowledge that my breach of any of the restrictive covenants in this Agreement will result in irreparable damage to the Church. Therefore, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by me, I agree that the Church shall be entitled to an injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction enjoining me from committing any violation
or threatened violation of this Agreement. I further agree that the Church shall not be required to post a bond to obtain such an injunction. All remedies available to the Church by reason of a breach by me of this Agreement are cumulative, none is exclusive, and all remedies may be exercised concurrently or consecutively at the Church’s option.

Fascinating.

  • Do not tell what the pastor makes. That Ed Young Jr thing was really yucky link. Poor Ed…
  • Do not tell how much was in the plate on Sunday. People might wonder where the money goes.
  • Do not share any cool idea that Furtick has. Someone else might copy it and that is not fair. Why help another Christian church. Furtick wants it all.

If you do any of the above, you can be sued. Well, I gotta hand it to him. At least he doesn’t play games with Matthew 18. He’ll just sue your sorry bottom.

Bottom Line

Do you really want to volunteer for a church that threatens you from the get go? Is this truly a place of love and unity? Ask yourself why Furtick wouldn’t want to share any neat ideas he has with everyone else? Or is he hiding his bundle under a bushel?

 Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others,that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Steven Furtick at his finest. Hey Hater!

Source: Dee, Elevation Church and Steven Furtick: Volunteer to Be Sued!, http://thewartburgwatch.com/2013/04/04/elevation-church-and-steven-furtick-volunteer-to-be-sued/, 04/04/2013. (Accessed 08/04/2013.)

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