Two prominent mega-ministries under a Senate probe for opulent spending indicated they would institute reforms even before the investigation is complete, according to a new report.
Charismatic preachers Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn are the only two that have fully cooperated with an investigation that is currently scrutinizing four other popular ministries and they are now reportedly taking their own action to ensure proper financial standing as a nonprofit.
"Transparency has been and will continue to be a standard of this ministry," said Joyce Meyer, who was the first to turn over requested papers, in a statement Tuesday. "We hold a deep commitment to our ministry partners and friends, and this is why we have a tradition of going above and beyond what is required by law. We are committed to the truth and to our purpose."
After review of the ministries' financial documents and responses to a range of questions, Sen. Charles Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, concluded that both Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn have answered every question and "in the spirit of true cooperation, also have provided information over and above what was requested."
"Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn have engaged in open and honest dialogue with committee staff," Grassley said Monday.
The investigation began last November after media reports and ministry watchdogs alleged opulent spending and possible abuse of nonprofit status by six ministries, each of which has millions of followers. Grassley, who is leading the probe, has asked for financial records and answers to questions regarding organizational as well as personal spending.
The Senate probe, however, has not gone without question and criticism.
Creflo Dollar of World Changers Church International has declined to provide any of the requested information. And Grassley has received limited responses from Randy and Paula White of Without Walls International Church, Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland.
Kenneth Copeland Ministries has gone public with its protest, launching a Web site, www.BelieversStandUnited.com, against the senator's investigation.
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. He also raised suspicion over Grassley’s targeting of only Pentecostal churches that preach the “prosperity gospel” – a teaching that God wants his followers to be rich both spiritually and materially.
Currently, the Senate Finance Committee is consulting with its attorneys to determine the next steps regarding Copeland.
“The ministries that continue not to cooperate appear to be heeding the advice of attorneys who are not familiar with congressional oversight in general and specifically the Finance Committee’s oversight and legislative work in the area of tax-exempt organizations over the last seven years," Grassley said. "These attorneys who aren’t part of the ministries themselves have a natural incentive to prolong the process as long as possible.”
Meanwhile, amid the ongoing investigation, Meyer and Hinn have plans to institute reforms and Grassley expressed full support for "self-reform," which he said can be faster and more effective than government regulation.
Delanie Trusty, CFO for Joyce Meyer Ministries, said Tuesday, "As our ministry grows, we continually examine how we can most efficiently serve and minister to people. We embraced this opportunity to examine in detail the daily operations of the ministry, and we have reconfirmed our commitment to the high standards we hold ourselves to."
Each year, Joyce Meyer Ministries voluntarily undergoes an independent financial and legal audit to ensure its goals of accountability, the ministry noted.
Grassley encouraged ministries to pursue independent accreditation programs, such as the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
"The most successful non-profit organizations recognize the need for transparency about their operations and accountability to their donors and the taxpaying public," Grassley commented.
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I would disagree, Mike. From what I've seen of these ministries over the years, they have integrity. And while they may not have set their ministries up using the same guidelines as Grassley's denomination, I believe their ministries are founded on honest principles. In fact, the IRS has already audited and cleared 2 of these ministries, so that should say something. I believe what you saw from them in these actions were simply gestures of appeasement, also known as throwing a dog a bone.
when this article says that 2 TELEVANGELIST ARE MAKING REFORMS, then that means that there were ANOMALIES THAT WERE GOING ON INSIDE THEIR church before this 'WITCH HUNT' BEGAN.
telles, even though I'm not comfortable with some of the Word of Faith teachings, I do wholeheartedly agree that one of Satan's most effective weapons is sibling rivalry in the church and between denominations who are committed to His Word being proclaimed.
believer - no offence taken. If I am not mistaken, you are referring to the adage that satan's lies are based on 80% truth. I have been in hundreds of Baptist, hundreds of AG, and maybe thousands of Word of Faith services. All of these denominations believe in the 100% inerrancy of the word of God, unlike liberal theology. And while all of them strive to teach 100% truth, being human, I doubt that any achieve that goal. But a good test for any point of doctrine is to see how many scriptures it is based upon. And I think these Word of Faith teachers ably back up their doctrine with Scripture. Still, I also believe every Bible-believing denomination has some perspective that is important to the Body of Christ as a whole. If there is a work of satan in all of this, it is that he gets the Body to attack itself to the point where we hinder the advancement of God's full purpose in this world.
telles, your absolutely right and if I in any way insinuated you weren't welcome to share your opinion you have my complete apology. And I agree I have not probably followed these ministries as much as you have, but what I have seen concerns me some and what I've read concerns me even more. I sense that 75-80% of what they preach and teach is solid Bible, but it's that remaining % that concerns me. And yes you are also right on target about how churches and even whole denominations can be guilty of either purposely or inadvertently misleading people as well. Take care and be blessed as you serve Him, believer
You are right, believer, that was my opinion. But I hope that you will grant that my opinion is just as valid as yours and any of the others who denigrate these ministers. In fact, one could argue that my opinion may carry a little more weight seeing that I have actually watched these ministers over several years to see what their message really was, rather than basing it on stereotypes and sound bites from the media. I think we Christians need to be more guarded in these last days against believing the caricatures that the media has created of all types of Christians, including these ministers as well as Baptists.
It may be true that some of the people who listen to these ministers are naïve and gullible, but don't you think that you can say that about the followers of any denomination? It does not make the message less true.
telles, in your opinion they are and there is no way that you can personally vouch for them because I truly doubt if you are a part of their inner circle. Whereas, I do respect your right to have your personal opinion of them, I personally question some of the Word of Faith theology to include their health, wealth, and prosperity message which I believe has purposely or inadvertently taken advantage of some naive and vulnerable people.
I would venture to guess that everyone posting comments against these ministers own their own car, maybe their own house, and certainly their own computer. Can you imagine how much rice and grain could have been bought with the money that you spent on these items, and how many poor people you could have fed with that food? To a person in the 3rd world, your lifestyle is â
I'm not for or against any of these ministries because I don't have enough details to be thoroughly acquainted with what they do or don't do. However, I would caution all the judgmental types commenting here that you will give account for your words, just as these ministries will give account for their use of money. FYI, Kenneth Copland has financed much of Reinhard Bonke's huge evangelism crusades in Africa where sometimes more than a million people show up to hear the gospel. So let's be careful how we assess another brother.
it really sickens me.. these mega preachers with their fine houses, nice clothes, and overfilled pockets of cash. and they preach good news? psh.
msnchris70
"Fundamentalists really love these hyped up speakers because what they lack in their depth in theology they make up for with entertainment and rah rah speeches."
That may be true for some but not all. a portion of the people that go go because God put it in their hearts to go.
"Just remember mega churches, fundamentalists and evangelicals like these type only make up about 10% of all of Christianity. They are a mile long and only and inch deep and their members tend to hop from Church to church to church searching for their next ecstatic fix."
Produce some statistics for such claims. I have attended about 12 or 13 churchs in my adult life, which all but 4 were Baptist, three were Pentecostal, and 1 non-full gospel non-denominational church. All grew in size not decreased and their wasn't much church hoping taking place. People who left generally left because they moved.
I have been an adult now for over 41 yrs.
Swordbearer,
Lighten up on the capital letters it hurts everyone's eyes. The majority of Christianity rejects this type of Gospel. Protestant preachers should have a lifestyle much like that of a Billy Graham, much like all Catholic pastors take a vow of poverty or earn an income just above the mean income level for the area. Didn't anyone learn from the mistakes of having wealthy clergy from us Catholics in the middle ages??? The more your lifestyle and income mirros Jesus as a simple carpenter the better you will do at spreading the Gospel by example like St. Francis of Assisi did. Be meek!
Also, the story of the talens points to using your gifts for God's glory. For some of us God gives more talents and gifts and you must use them for His Glory. The more you use what God gave you the more you will benefit the Kingdom of God. The story is not about making more money.
Fundamentalists really love these hyped up speakers because what they lack in their depth in theology they make up for with entertainment and rah rah speeches. Just remember mega churches, fundamentalists and evangelicals like these type only make up about 10% of all of Christianity. They are a mile long and only and inch deep and their members tend to hop from Church to church to church searching for their next ecstatic fix.
Swordbearer,if you put your prosperity above Gods word by all means give it up,and hastily!!First this is a form of idolitry.Second Jesus Himself told us to store up our treasure in heaven.Jesus also asked what good does it do for a man to gain the whole world only to lose his soul?Jesus came to serve all mankind.Who is served by the prosperity gospel except our selves?
I agree that Joyce is CY$$$ing. And most would probably do the same thing given her circumstances? Why be unresponsive and uncooperative when you might endanger "the cash cow?" Her lifestyle is WAY over the top and she and her cronies don't want to jeopardize it! I also believe she's moved a little more to the "accepted" view of theology but only for the same reasons noted above.
The Church needs to quit using the passage, "touch not Mine anointed", to keep us from holding those in ministry leadership roles accountable for both their words and behavior. I have seen too many churches totally neutralized in their ability to be a powerful witness in their community because they did not deal with either the problems or known sins of those in leadership roles in their churches. And most if not all used that very passage of scripture to justify not dealing with the issue. And although every believer needs to be held accountable for their words and behavior this is especially true of those of us who hold ministry leadership roles because of both the influence and impact we have in both the church and the community.
Every denomination and non-denomintional church has its problems with false teachings but the RCC leads them them all in heretical teachings.
Will those who refuse to "render unto Caeser what is Caeser's" also be sad like the one who Christ responded, "go home sell everything you have, and come follow me" when the rich man asked him what must I do to serve you? Joyce, thank you for your transparency, but the questing I have for you and all "prosperity preachers" is are you willing to give up everything to follow Christ.
I find Kenneth Copeland wanting seperation of church and state at this time quite ironic.Prosperity preaching has no basis in scripture,Jesus said blessed are the poor in spirit,and the meek shall inherit the earth.There is none of this taught in these mega-church/TV ministries.As for Creflo Dollar anyone truly doing kingdom business has no fear of the light and will not hide their work in the darkness.These people are supposed to be Christ ambassadors on earth.They are supposed to live lives as close to the life that He lived in His time on earth as anyone does.They are supposed to be leading lives of love and service,not fattening themselves off of the donations of an easily led flock.
latonchan,,
One more thing. You're right about not "touching God's anointed", however, no one IS TOUCHING them!
David knew rightly not to kill Saul because He was still God's anointed despite his twisted life. BUT Most of the Psalms are replete with references to David's flight from Saul and David's desire that God turn his enemy's' wrath back upon themselves.
Speaking out against heresy on the other hand in those days would have ended in the stoning of the guilty party. Some of these televangelists aught to be thankful....
latonchan,
Actually the Bible gives believers the right to judge within the church (1 Corinthians 5:12) AND to judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). Righteous judgment is that judgment which (in love) speak against acts that contradict God's Word .
If God says don't commit adultery and you condemn the act of a person committing adultery, (Not the person, but the act) you are not judging the act so much as God is because His Word says: "thou shall not commit adultery."
Furthermore, the word says, in 1 Timothy 5:20 "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."
The bible tells us to "touch not mine anointed". The bible also tells us not to judge lest we be judged ourselves. David (even with justifiable right) did not come against King Saul.
I personally have been helped by Joyce Meyer. I may not agree with everything she says, but I don't feel I can condemn her. Only God can judge her or any of the other ministers. As Swordbearer aptly quoted: Jesus said, "whoever is not against us is for us." Jesus also said "whoever is without sin to cast the first stone". There are a lot of ministers on television that I will not watch, but I'm sure not going to come against them. If I felt that strongly about it, I'd be praying for them.
If we think they are promoting false teaching, then what are we doing to counteract that? How many of us our out actually teaching/preaching/exhorting the truth?
Swordbearer,
I agree to a certain degree, but how is the "Prosperity Doctrine" a function of the church?
Not only that but doesn't the Bible say:
Matthew 7:22-23 "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
It's not in how many people we fed, orphans we clothed or people got saved, but it's in the obedient following of God's Word.
In other words, did I do ministry for my own gain, or for God's? Was I obedient to His Word? (since His Word is His will) Did my pursuits align with God's purpose or my own?
Notice in this verse it says MANY will say Lord, Lord. These people weren't heathens, they were believers. The Bible says 'These things will follow those who believe, "Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; "In my name shall they cast out devils..."
These are believers who did "ministry" but didn't KNOW nor did they seek God in their pursuits. They did it because they knew HOW to do it. It isn't "WHAT we do for Christ," but "IF Christ is doing it through us" that matters.
I personally struggle with anyone involved with the Word of Faith Movement. I have a problem with some of their theology as well as their promotion of the health and wealth prosperity gospel. I hope these reforms are genuine and I still struggle with the government stepping in to this the way they did, I hope this action will not have negative consequences for the proclaiming of the Gospel down the road.
I think we should be careful when making comments about any preacher or ministry. What we need to understand is that we are a body. Not every member of the body performs the same function. I have been ministered by the teachings of Joyce Meyers which edifies the body on personal conduct and self control over our emotions. I personally seen many healed and receive Jesus as the Lord and Savior at several Benny Hinn services in NY and NJ. The Bible says that you can tell a good tree by their fruits and I have seen both and all of these ministries that are under investigation bear good fruits. They all help the poor, orphans and lead many souls to the Lord Jesus Christ. According to scripture this is true religion. We can't judge them because of their personal wealth because they have dedicated their lives to their ministries and the bible states, that a laborer is worth his wages. God also give wisdom on how to invest and multiply finances, see the parable of the talents in the gospels. If they are multiplying the finances that is prospering the ministry and with the same wisdom multiplying the finances of their own personal lives we must not condemn them for this. They are doing exactly what God has called them to do, according to scripture. Solomon was extremely wealthy and the word says that Jesus became poor so that we can become rich. I am aware that every prosperity preaching is from God and is for personal gain. But we must restrain from falling into sin ourselves when we judge others because they are wealthy. If I where in their position I would also do everything to increase the wealth of the ministry and with the same wisdom increase my own personal wealth.
We must also remember that Jesus said:
Mar 9:40
for whoever is not against us is for us.
God bless you all!
answers2why.blog.com
swordbearer4@gmail.com (what do you think let me know?)
Benny Hinn is another story....seems to me. Still, I do not know his heart.
I don't like televangelists much, but I always thought that Joyce Meyer was solid.
msnchris70 ,
We seldom agree, but you hit the nail on this one. This "band of merry teleevangelist" is out of control and makes Robin Hood look good!
Since their is no official authority within Protestant Christianity, then the Federal Government has to get involved. Protestants have allowed these Prosperity Preachers to do whatever they want and sell whatever they want.
Benny Hinn and Joyce Meyer are not preachers at all. They are motivational speakers who use Scripture to sell their books, videos, etc. I can't say for certain if they do more bad than good, but I can say that their form of the Gospel is one of the most perverted.
This gospel barely has anything to do about Jesus. It has much more to do with how you can live a better life on earth. It is self styled idolotry much like dyanetics and the Church of Scientology.
Yes, many of these people may have some correct beliefs on who Jesus is, but they pervert His Gospel so much that I pray they will be converted back to mainline Christianity. These extreme sects of the health and wealth Gospel give Christianity a bad name. The wealth of both Benny Hinn and Joyce Meyer makes any Pope of the middle ages look poor.
Consider the wisdom and discernment displayed by the Joyce Meyer Ministries recognizing that this investigation is itself an opportunity to serve, an opportunity for outreach, an opportunity for transparency, an opportunity to rightly represent the God we serve. In humility, they recognize that all authority is set in place by God Himself, and - even if the Senate unfairly singles out "prosperity teachers" (as Copeland would argue) - was our Lord not unfairly singled out? Was he not illegally tried, falsely accused, dragged through the streets, and ultimately crucified? Shall the servant be greater than the Master? The Apostle Paul wrote about such humility of heart, when we said "I want to know Him (Jesus) in His sufferings." "Blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness' sake" says the Bible, but it seems some people will go out of their way to AVOID persecution or even inconvenience. Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, and the others who cry foul - and probably see themselves as VICTIMS (give me a break!) - desperately need a change in perspective. If they were to die today, leaving behind all their millions, they would have a lot to answer for. They wrongly interpret scripture to build themselves up, to secure their offices and their positions (similar to pharisees).. and to secure for themselves everythign they feel ENTITLED to... but God's word says "Humble yourselves in the eyes of the Lord and HE will lift you up." If God opts to prosper your ministry financially, great - praise God! If He chooses not to, great - praise God! Let us not be like King Saul so quick to throw spears at anyone who dares challenge our kingdom... for the kingdom is NOT ours, but rather we have been entrusted... with whatever ministry, whatever office, whatever resources, whatever the Lord has seen fit to provide us. For His glory, not ours!