Pentecostal preacher Kenneth Copeland is now looking to gain public support as he continues to question and protest a senator's investigation into the spending of six "prosperity gospel" ministries, including his. This week, his ministry launched a Web site to address concerns about the inquiry.
"The Grassley Investigation: Do Churches Still Have Constitutional Rights?" says an article on the homepage of www.BelieversStandUnited.com.
The site is in response to an inquiry led by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who last November sent letters to six prominent ministries asking that they provide financial records and answer questions regarding their organizational as well as personal finances. The senate probe was prompted by media reports and ministry watchdogs that alleged opulent spending and possible abuse of their nonprofit status.
Copeland, who has said his ministry fully complies with all laws, believes the inquiry is a violation of religious freedom, an invasion of privacy and a threat to the separation of Church and State. And information obtained by Grassley "could potentially be used in a manner that could harm or embarrass the Church, its preachers, members, partners, and friends," his ministry stated. According to the Web site, one of the ministries was asked to provide a list of the names and addresses of every minister whom the church has paid to speak or perform music at the church.
Kenneth Copeland Ministries was one of two ministries that responded to Grassley's request for information by the Dec. 6 deadline that was given. But Grassley's office said Copeland has not provided sufficient answers. The prominent ministry has declined to provide additional information.
Further questioning the probe, Copeland has raised suspicion about Grassley targeting only Pentecostal churches that preach the prosperity gospel - a teaching that God wants his followers to be rich both spiritually and materially.
"It is unprecedented in the history of our country that a U.S. senator would selectively set his investigative sights on six Pentecostal churches and in so doing, attempt to ignore both their constitutional and their legal rights as set forth in the IRS Code," said Copeland in a statement on Monday.
Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, has repeatedly said the investigation has nothing to do with church doctrine.
Many have shown support for Grasley's investigation, saying the Iowa senator is being careful and not going into doctrinal issues. Rusty Leonard of MinistryWatch.org - which rates ministries on financial transparency to aid donors - says the inquiry is well-founded as it is trying to ensure that the ministries' leaders are adhering to "fundamental biblical principles such as transparency and honesty while exhibiting a sacrificial lifestyle modeled after Jesus."
Leonard, whose organization has given Copeland Ministries an "F" grade for transparency, blasted Copeland for his allegations against the inquiry and for not fully complying.
"Copeland is trying to create the impression that he is being cooperative, when in fact he failed to comply with 25 of the 42 requests for information from Sen. Grassley," Leonard said. "Now, he wants the IRS to continue the investigation, but only because IRS investigations are confidential. Copeland doesn’t want the public or his donors to see what he’s been doing, and that’s alarming. It screams that he his hiding something from KCM (Kenneth Copeland Ministries) donors and the public.”
KCM indicated that fully complying with the investigation could open the door to an attack on the religious freedom of other churches and ministries.
"If KCM failed to defend its legal rights, then it is deeply concerned that you and your church or your neighbor's church could be next," said the ministry.
Leonard doesn't buy the ministry’s argument.
“The idea that Copeland is standing on some constitutional principle is simply a diversion," he said.
More than 6,100 people have voted on the Web site in favor of protecting church rights and religious freedoms, according to KCM. BelieversStandUnited.com was also designed to educate Christians about their constitutional rights and the effects of governmental inquiries on the Church as a whole and to update the Christian community about the ongoing Senate inquiry.
The five other ministries being probed are led by Paula and Randy White, Benny Hinn, Joyce and David Meyer, Eddie Long, and Creflo Dollar.
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I hope that congressman get ALL of those "workers of iniquity". It is truly about time someone see that those people who preach this so called "prosperity Gospel" are really misleading people down a path that is no where found in Gods word. God never in His word, promised His followers wealth..Now I'm not saying that wealth is bad, I'am saying its not promised in Gods word. We have to start praying God's Will in everything.
phredone,to not believe it is Gods will is to believe he has no power to turn the hearts of kings for his purpose. To not believe it is Gods will is to believe that we cant sit under his shadow.
To not believe it is Gods will is to believe he is powerless. To not believe it is Gods will is to take matters in your own hands rather than trust him who is the ruler of all creation. Jesus is the King of kings . Gods children have much more influence than they know if only they would sit at his feet.
The Emerging Church: Last Days Apostasy and a Return To Darkness" - found at: http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c29.shtml
"How to Know When the Emerging Church Shows Signs of Emerging in Your Church" - found at: http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c54.shtml
"The Inclusive Gospel" - found at: http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c66.shtml
Widonicki, What leads you to believe that the investigation is God's will? How is it that if I don't believe it is God's will I have no faith in God?
JHS, I don't know who you talked to but if you read the letter sent by Sen Grassley it does ask for information about people who have given to the ministry and about people the ministry has given to.
Sooooo how's he going to "name and claim" this one?
Copeland brags about being a billionaire to his congregation. I wonder who he's serving?
http://www.grassleyinvestigation.com
It's about selfish materialism, the spirit of mammon, who do these guys serve?
I am an Oral Roberts University graduate and my beloved alma mater is going through the process of cleaning up the fruit left by the WOF and prosperity preachers.
Kenneth Copeland calls himself a bilionaire, that must be important to him. Other ministers are concerned with missions and evangelism....some die for the cause of .Jesus Christ....I know what is imporant to them. I know who I will follow.
The "beleiversstandunited" website offers 1 way to vote and all the posted comments are in agreement with their agenda. I doubt my comments will be posted....
THE SENATE HAS NEVER ASKED COPELAND FOR HIS DONOR RECORDS I CONFIRMED WITH FINANCE PERSON HIMSELF, THIS A SMOKE SCREEN BY COPLEAND BECAUSE HE IS HIDING SOMETHING. THE SENATE PHONE TO THE COMMITTEE IS 202-224-4515
This is why evangelical Christianity is in trouble in the US, its about republican politics, money and power. History will show that is a movement of Bull$#!^, that was antil catholic and greedy.
well said, widonicki.
personally, i don't see what's the big crying shame over this. WE as a group of believers have FAILED MISERABLY at keeping leaven out of the "church". These types of preachers lift prosperity over holiness and encourage giving for the wrong reasons. We don't "give give give" to "get get get" as kenny copeland says i, but to encourage equality and to glorify God, because we know he will reward those who do good and punish evildoers.
Prosperity Ministers have lots of faith in a wealth gospel, but no faith in a God that can turn the hearts of Kings for his purpose. Where is their faith to trust Our God for all things.God is God and what he has in his heart to accomplish will happen. Jesus said that any thing we do in secret will be revealed. It is best that we let the Investigations happen Because it is Gods will.
To believe it is nots Gods will is to have no faith in a awesome God. Is Faith preachers God so small that he needs their help in this matter?. My Father who sits in Heaven will have his way.