MegaChurch Moguls Asked to Account for Lavish Lifestyle or “Brother Can You Spare a Rolls Royce”
By Michael Lang on Dec 4, 2007 in RELIGION - OR LACK OF
Iowa Republican Sen. has asked for the financial records of six evangelical Megachurches to look into concerns of overspending and abuse of donations by religious leaders.
A megachurch is a large church having around 2,000 or more worshipers for a typical weekly service and tend to be evangelical or Pentecostal.. While generally associated with the United States, the phenomenon has spread worldwide; as of 2007, five of the ten largest Protestant churches are in South Korea.
He is attempting to expose what I, and most of you, have known for years; that these "CEO-Pastor- Reverend-Doctor’s" have been fleecing their flock for years while enriching themselves and their families, ensuring that they live in an opulent, or in this writer’s opinion, "obscene lifestyle."
Frankly, I applaud Senator Grassley’s efforts as a lot of these “new wave” churches have been getting away with murder (figuratively) for years has they hide under the skirt of the IRS 501c3 tax exempt non-profit status.
Now, anyone that knows me is aware of my almost fanatical zeal for “service-work,” whether it be money or deeds makes no difference as long as I can make a difference, even if it’s a smile on a once sad face.
In church-speak, “tithing” is the traditional method of giving and it is not that giving that I and Sen. Grassley have a problem with.
It’s the stereotypical lonely old woman who skimps on her grocery bill and prescription medication to send in monies she barely has so “her Pastor” can by a new Lear jet! If you think that’s a stretch, you are very wrong. (READ ON FOR MORE ON THE ABUSES OF THESE “PROPERITY PASTORS”)
The Pastors of those churches that Grassley has singled out have expressed the usual outrage and indignation over the Senator’s prying into their business thereby obstructing the preaching of their sacred “prosperity gospel.” Yes it’s true. These preachers have no trouble looking anyone in the eye and insisting that they “need your donations so that they can continue to do the lord’s work.”
I am fairly sure that they would candidly admit that they get their confidence from god himself. It is my belief that it is god arrogance that they mimic.
Grassley’s letters went to:
• Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas, a $20 million organization and prosperity gospel pioneer. Questions were raised about a $1 million loan from Gloria Copeland to a group, and a "personal gift" of more than $2 million given to Kenneth Copeland to mark the ministry’s 40th anniversary.
• Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga.
Dollar is known for espousing his own method for approaching to the Bible for spiritual and financial fulfillment.
• Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas, is asked about use of a private jet, a home in Dana Point, Calif. and "layover trips" while traveling on ministry business. Hinn did not respond to requests for comment.
• Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga., was questioned about his salary of more than $3 million over a 3-year period, and a $1.4 million house the use of a $350,000 Bentley car, bought and paid for by the ministry.
• Joyce and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo., who were quizzed about receiving donations of money and jewelry and the handling of cash from overseas crusades. They also were asked about expenditures at ministry headquarters, including a $30,000 conference table and a $23,000 "commode with marble top."
• Randy and Paula White of the multi-racial Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla.
The thing about these type of things, especially those that involve so-called “people of faith,” that never ceases to amaze me is the unwavering support that these fast talking modern day “snake oil salespeople” get from the very same people that gladly hand over their sometimes hard earned money to the shysters so they can continue to live a life of luxury.
Show me where that is written in any Bible of any Christian denomination. Don’t bother, it can’t be found, unless of course you’re referring to Donald Trump’s “Art of the Deal.”
2 Comment(s)
By Pastor Mike Grady/Toronto on Dec 5, 2007 | Reply
I think it is High Time that men of God STAND UP and speak the truth in love in response to what the Bible says about proper Christian conduct and how a Man of God should be an example to the Church and the unbeliever.First of all I believe the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,That Jesus was born of a Virgin,That Jesus died on the cross of Calvary to provide redemption from sin,and that Jesus rose on the 3rd. day.And I also believe that Jesus Christ is THE ONLY WAY in which a man can find Salvation and eternal life and apart from faith in Jesus Christ men will be judged by God who is Holy to an eternity in Hell for their wickedness and sin.I also believe what the Lord said in
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Only those who are Born Again will be saved form God’s wrath and eternal torment in hell.
Secondly the Bible clearly states that we are to consider all things by the Word of God so that we know how the Man of God should conduct himself.And the word of God says in 2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
And the word of truth is what we are to use to conduct our lifes.And if one studies God word they will find In 2nd Timothy 3:16-17:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Gods word is profitable for many wonderful things and here in particular 4 Things. 1-For doctrine 2-For reproof 3-For correction 4-For instruction in righteousness
And these 4 Things are provided by God to us for a reason because without sound doctrine,without reproof,without correction and without instruction in rightousness
Then v:17 would not be correct which says:
17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
So when some suggest that someone is judging by agreeing with what Senator Grassley is bringing out in the open about these Pastors lifestyles.It has been reported in the US press that some of these 6 ministries Pastors under public scrunity that they fly in Cessana Jets,drive Rolls Royces and Bentley Convertables,live in Mansions worth from 2 Million Dollars up to 10 Million Dollars,stay in Presidentalial Suites for a sum of one Thousand Dollars up to Ten Thousand Dollars a night.One of these 6 Pastors when asked on CNN IF THEY BELIEVED JESUS WOULD AGREE TO THEM HAVING A ROLLS ROYCE? HE SAID “YES Jesus would agree”
So when we look at what is taking place with Senator Grassley,s requested inquiry on ministries such as Benny Hinn,Keneth Copeland,Crefflo Dollar Joyce Myers and others and in light of the scandal at Oral Roberts University where as even the President Richard Roberts resigned on Friday after his accountant informed the world that he was instructed to “cook the books” by Richard Roberts himself and the accountant was Fired.
And when you take into account that these 6 ministries teach false teachings that I Quote..”We are all little gods” and that we have the power to create through our words,and the Properity Gospel.Perhaps one is being judgemental if you think that Doctrine Reproof,Correction and Instruction in Rightousness is not an appropiate measure to be guided by not only in these 6 Pastors ministries but in any Christian ministries.And let me ask have you really dug into what The Word of Faith Movement teaches?I suggest that any one reading this finds out and become aware of what these ministries teach.The choice is yours.
It’s about time that MEN OF GOD STAND UP and speak the word of truth in love and through Gods Word find Doctrine and Reproof false teachers and bring Correction so that people are not mislead and bring Instruction in righteousness so that people wiil be aware of what is happening.
I am an ordained Pentecostal minister in Regent Park -St. Jamestown Toronto.And I have a duty as a watchman of the church God has called me to lead.Here are some scriptures to that warn us of the very things we are talking about.
2nd.Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2: And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3: And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
1 Timothy 4:1: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1rst Timothy 6:3-11 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4: He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5: Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6: But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8: And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9: But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1rst Peter 5:2: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3: Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
If anyone would like to discuss what My views are on any of the above statements or on the bible in general,please feel free to respond to this email… Pastor Mike Grady info@mgrady.net
By admin on Dec 5, 2007 | Reply
Pastor Grady, thank you for your eloquent response to my article on Megachurches. It is obvious that you are both passionate and well versed in Biblical scriptures.
Even though I am unfamiliar with those passages that you quoted, I believe we are in agreement that the primary focus of these “Megachurch Pastors” is the accumulation of wealth not to be used to feed the hungry or ease the suffering of those in need but to feed their egos and live lavishly. To thinking and caring people of all faith and belief systems their behavior should be condemned and laid bare for all to see.
American condemn those that twist the words of the Koran to rationalize the suicide bombing that kills the innocent and it is my contention that these “Prosperity Pastors” are no different in that they too interpret Biblical scriptures to justify their actions.
It is hypocrisy in its ugliest form.
Michael Lang, Publisher
The Lang Report