Some ministers being probed for alleged financial misconduct said they will cooperate with a Senate investigation. But they question whether the request for their financial records is overstepping government authority into religion.
Bishop Eddie Long, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., and one of the six high-profile ministers being investigated, called Sen. Charles Grassley's request unjust and "an attack on our religious freedom and privacy rights" during the church’s service Sunday, according to The Associated Press.
It was Long's first comment beyond the statement he issued saying he would cooperate since Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, sent letters to the ministers on Nov. 5 asking for financial statements.
The Rev. Creflo Dollar, who leads World Changers Church International in College Park, Ga., already released some information about his and his church's finances. The minister’s 30,000-member church took in $69 million in 2006, according to a brief report his church showed The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"I generally don't make this public," Dollar said, as reported by the local newspaper.
With big perks, such as Rolls-Royces, private jets and multi-million-dollar homes, that seem to come with being a popular preacher on TV, Dollar said he understands the senator's worries as the investigation evaluates whether the ministers are using their nonprofit status to enrich themselves. The six televangelists preach what critics call the prosperity gospel, a highly criticized theology that teaches wealth is a sign of God's blessing.
But Dollar is also concerned that the government may be intruding into religion.
"First of all, it's a miscalculated assumption that those things were purchased with the church's money," Dollar told CNN about his expensive home, private jet and $2.5-million Manhattan apartment. He said his ministry has been an "open book" and complies with the IRS.
Although the church gave Dollar a Rolls-Royce, which is largely used for special occasions, his income is separate from the church's and provided by businesses he owns and from investments and real estate, he told the local newspaper.
"Without a doubt, my life is not average," Dollar said. "But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong."
"The issue is, what route did you use to get that excess?" he noted.
The prosperity preacher argues that "Jesus died for us so we can have a type of life that experiences peace and prosperity," according to CNN.
However, Grassley, a Christian, has a different take.
"Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey," Grassley told The Los Angeles Times. "Do these ministers really need Bentleys and Rolls-Royces to spread the Gospel?"
Nevertheless, the investigation doesn't concern doctrinal issues, Grassley has said.
"I'm just interested in not the personality, not the preaching of these people ... [but] are the laws being followed," he said on CNN.
Religious organizations are generally exempt from federal taxes, but are required to pay taxes if they engage in for-profit businesses.
Kenneth Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), says Grassley is being very careful in his inquiry, not going into doctrinal issues and whether the prosperity churches are doctrinally sound.
Behr, who has dubbed the probe "The Grassley Six," says the government has the right to be able to look into churches and their financial records and that they are all held to the same standard as other nonprofit groups.
None of the ministries under investigation are listed under the ECFA, which is comprised of more than 2,000 evangelical Christian organizations, including such major nonprofits as World Vision.
Other ministries targeted by the Senate investigation are led by Randy and Paula White of Florida, Benny Hinn, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Texas, and David and Joyce Meyer of Missouri.
Some argue that the ministers have built media empires, operating their ministries as corporations. Dollar's ministries, for example, include international TV broadcasts, Arrow Records, publishing, home-schooling program, entrepreneurship classes, fitness classes and SAT preparation classes among others. And his next book, 8 Steps to Create the Life You Want: The Anatomy of a Successful Life, is due out in January.
"They are taking market principles, setting themselves up as corporations, and yet they don't want to be taxed – they don't want to have accountability," said Fredrick Harris, a professor of political science at Columbia University, according to the LA Times. "They are blurring the line between profit and nonprofit."
Still, Behr doesn't think it's necessary to update current tax laws to require stricter rules and transparency on how donations to churches are spent.
"There are tremendous supporters for religious liberty in churches," he said. "You have to be very careful about the rules you place in particular organizations, especially churches."
Comments
Victor Conedy is the only voice of reason I have read thus far. The government DOES have to the right to review the finances of an organization that takes on the tax-exempt status by filing for a 501c. I am NOT in agreement for Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Paula White, and others to use their tax-exempt status to facilitate their extravagant lifestyles.
Stop! Most of the comments are based on pure emotion, either for or against. Are you aware that tax-exempt status is given to an organization from the US Government? Therefore, the US Government has a right to see that an organization continues to adhere to the rules that were used to determine the tax-exempt status. An organization gets a 501c BECAUSE it files paperwork and asks for the tax-exempt status. The paperwork states that among other things, that the organization will exist for the purpose of some community benefit and not for the benefit of an individual. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast numbers which would indicate what constitutes "existing for the benefit of an individual". In the 1990's for example, the president of the Red Cross was receiving a salary of about $436,000 per year. Excessive? Maybe, considering that the President of the U.S. wasn't making that much at the time. In that case, the salary went up for review and it was determined that it may have been a little much for the circumstances. Those who pointed this out were not against the work that was being done by the Red Cross, but in order to maintain a status of "non-profit" the organizations main focus needs to be to the needs of a group of otherwise disenfranchised persons. Same situation here concerning the church that has applied for and enjoys the tax-exemption. No one is questioning that any of these churches are benefiting the community by feeding the homeless or by providing spiritual relief. The problem is, since there are no clear cut numbers or percentages which would reveal malfeasance, simply "appearances" is all one can go on. Lavish lifestyles of heads of non-profits are in fact a violation of the tenets and purpose for granting the tax-exemption. Taking this as an attack on God's people or God's work is naive and ignores the real issue. Also, gladly calling the all charlatans is equally juvenile. Victor Conedy
i agree tatoolman40. as long as your intuned with God and you become fianacially stable use those mens to help as long as your lead by the holy spirit. and kaishinden79 the pharisses were rebuked because of the heart and mind set. Do you know the hearts of these men/women?
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THESE PASTORS ARE BEING EXPOSE FOR WHO THEY ARE
to tatoolman40- didn't jesus rebuked the pharisees for their love of money & their hypocrisy. He also warned us of the 'yeast of the pharisees'. where is the line bet. rebuking & judging. I have notice that pastors, teleevangelist are quick to accuse & always point to sin when they are asked about issues but when somebody points to their(pastor's) sin, they use the 'ye not judge defense'? SIN is SIN & when are they going to stop their sin of greed & love of money if nobody is going to expose them. HYPOCRITES! the pharisees were insulted bec. of their sins & you have a sin of commission bec. you are defending & justifying!
ldgreen - I'm afraid that you won't get much of anywhere on this board unless you're willing to forgo any real proof of wrongdoing and summarily condemn all the pastors and teachers involved. It is true that many have expressed distain for what they perceive the accused teach, without actually finding out what it is, and have already condemned them for a variety of monetary, shall we say, indiscretions without any actual proof. All this to their own brothers and sisters in Christ......sad but true.
Our hearts should be on our relationship with Christ Jesus, not on the possessions of this world. If the Lord should bless us with good finances, then that's up to Him. We shouldn't be seeking after the multimillon dollar home, etc. We should pray about being a good steward, and giving to help those in need, and invest in those ministries that help spread the true Gospel of Christ to change lives for eternity; not this name it and claim it theology. Our true treasure is in heaven. All this on earth is going to burn. This is why Jesus said to die to ourselves daily; pick up our crosses, and follow Him. The flesh covets the things of this world way too often. It's a daily battle; our walk with Christ is a day by day, moment by moment event.
We need to think daily on what Christ pulled us out of; what He saved us from, and what He continually is cleaning from our lives as we bring it to Him. We need to think upon the love He gave, and continues to give even though we don't merit it for a second.
We need to be thankful, and content in what He has decided to give us in our lives. But even morte so His wonderful Grace and Mercy, and Love.
Praises and Honor and Glory and Wisdom and Power be to Our Lord and Savior Jesu
Idgreen:
Many Born again Christians on this board express disdain for this name it and claim it "seed faith" theology because it is a false doctrine. They make a doctrine out of one Biblical Scripture verse, a principle, or promise, and then never leave that point. They don't expound on the whole context and heart of the Scriptures so people will grow in their faith. Rather than teaching the whole counsel of God, they teach that if you give to their ministry, then God will multiply it 100 fold. They peddle God's Word for gain, and this is not what God calls teachers of the Word to do. It is definitely a heretical teaching that is extrabiblical and for one to say that disdain for this false doctrine and abheration of the Truth is a comparison of Christians persecuting other Christians as you implied on your post is distorting the issue.
Yes, we as believers should be united in sound doctrine; not on all these other false doctrines including name it and clai it, and blab it and grab it theology that seem to pop up everywhere in Christian bookstores, on TBN, etc with a secular humanistic, and seeker friendly tone to them to tickle the hearers and readers ears.
God does not promise everyone to be rich here on earth. He has however promised us a relationship with Him, He has also promised that He would supply all of our need (not our greed) if we should put our total faith and confidence in His One and Only Son Jesus Christ. He promised that He would go and prepare a place for us and that we (who have given our lives to Christ) would spend eternity worshipping Him and fellowshipping with HIm.
We need to be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily to see if what is being taught to is biblically true.
Any who claims to be a Christian and persucutes others christians is not exhibiting the love of Jesus. Unbelievers in the U.S. Need to see some christians with wealth just so they will listen to the message. The bible says in proverb,"Wisdom said I is better than strength, but a poor man's wisdom is dispised. So the idea is for Se. Grassley is to pray and seek Gods counsel on the matter and not act like Saul of Tarsus who had a zeal for God without knowledge. Homosexual are claiming to be christian when the Bible clearly states that behavior is to be repented of in order to enter the Kingdom of God. People who criticize the prosperity message are usually evangelicals who are predominantly white anglo saxon protestants who's ancestors owned slaves. These people also used the bible to promote the ill treatment of Black people in general. So we need people like Creflo,Eddie Long, Fred Price and such to first teach us that we have endured poverty for too long. Blacks weren't allowed to worship with whites so we started our own church and have our own leaders. If Sen. Grassley loves Jesus who he has not seen he can only prove it by ignore the racist impulse to say thins like,"Do they really need all that". What does he mean by they. As if he is talking about an inferior class of people. In God's eyes all have sinned and fall short. As a government representative he speaks only from sinful mans point of view-since congress can make no laws establishing a church or religion nor deny the freedom to worship. All denominations violate some portion of the BIBLE. So his inquiry is not inspired by God or the Holy Spirit. His inquiry is going to cause more harm to value of U.S. currency than he will ever know. I pray he sees the error of his ways like Saul and resign from politics or go into full time ministry but he can not serve to masters-it's clear he does not love Jesus or His people.
When an employee of a 501c3 non profit receives a gift over $100. 00 it becomes a private inurement issue and should be turned over to the non profit. This is the standard that people who work in the non profit world deal with constantly. Your donors always want to give you things. However, you are not to take it from them. Politely explain why it is not a good idea.
Have2sae, PDF, taylormaed, and Prophet: Keep teaching the truth. You guys all hit the nail on the head. Again I say for those who still think that God is our servant, and not our Master, as well as those who think it's ok to be high profile, preach a tickle the ears seeker-friendly gospel, and those who peddle the Word of God for gain:
Our hearts should be on our relationship with Christ Jesus, not on the possessions of this world. If the Lord should bless us with good finances, then that's up to Him. We shouldn't be seeking after the multimillon dollar home, etc. We should pray about being a good steward, and giving to help those in need, and invest in those ministries that help spread the true Gospel of Christ to change lives for eternity; not this name it and claim it theology. Our true treasure is in heaven. All this on earth is going to burn. This is why Jesus said to die to ourselves daily; pick up our crosses, and follow Him. The flesh covets the things of this world way too often. It's a daily battle; our walk with Christ is a day by day, moment by moment event.
We need to think daily on what Christ pulled us out of; what He saved us from, and what He continually is cleaning from our lives as we bring it to Him. We need to think upon the love He gave, and continues to give even though we don't merit it for a second.
We need to be thankful, and content in what He has decided to give us in our lives. But even morte so His wonderful Grace and Mercy, and Love.
Praises and Honor and Glory and Wisdom and Power be to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Forever and Ever Amen and amen. He paid the biggest price for our sins, and that alone is the pearl of great price.
nasdaq - What do you consider blasphemy? I ask because there is much out there that some consider to be gospel that others consider blasphemy, case in point would be Family Radio (Harold Camping), etc...
I am working on and let me know what you think and if you have any advice on to achieve this important goal.
I'm working on trying to eliminating blasphemy on the airwaves looking for suggestions on how to approach the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and the Canandian Regulators for Telecom and Radio Services (CRTC).
Need the help of some powerful voices. Please go to this link and watch the video any suggestions or help will be great.
Thanks so much for your time.
Thomas Wurzburger.
Phone # 519-204-8495
God Bless.
www.hollywoodandgod.com
I ask you to take a few minutes and watch the video at the link above.
LETS ELIMINATE BLASPHEMY from the Airwaves.
or organize a one day boycott of tv, radio and theatre and send a message to the FCC and CRTC.
Taylormaed:
you as well hit the nail on the head. Thanks for exposing the truth with the intent of educating some who still hold fast to this "prosperity" doctrine.
Prophet:
"I don't need to hear a seminar on how to become immensely wealthy. I don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to get book after book on properity. Just a few scriptures and you're set. Malachi 3:10-12
Matthew 6:33
James 1:5
But, please don't corrupt the scripture from Malachi. If you give tithes and offerings for the simple fact that you want to be blessed....you wont be.
Concern yourself with your relationship with God, and let Him concern Himself with how much He's gonna bless you. Otherwise, you make Him into your image, and will be judged."
Right on brother. thanks for telling it like it is.