CHENNAI: It was a rather thinly-attended Sunday service at the Apostolic Christian Assembly Church (ACAC) in Purasaiwalkam that has been in the eye of a storm for a week, with the controversial in-charge keeping away.
In the absence of pastor Caleb Joshua, his subordinate, pastor Daniel, conducted the service this morning.
Joshua had initially announced that the Sunday worship will not be held, as the premises will be locked to undertake repair of the damages caused by faithful’s protest last week. On Sunday, however, the service was held amid heavy police presence, before winding up in about two hours.
The church has been sailing in troubled waters for a few months now, as chief pastor M K Sam Sundaram was not to be seen. Last Sunday, the agitated congregation demanded that Joshua bring the chief pastor, whom they alleged was under his custody.
To pacify them, a video was shown to the church members in which the chief pastor appeared and appealed for calm. Today, however, the members who came hoping to see Sundaram had to leave disappointed after attending a short service.
“We came here eager to see our chief pastor, but now Joshua himself is missing. Elders have asked us not to file any police complaint, which they believe would disrepute the church,” said a church member.
Police said they will continue to remain there till the tensions subside.