Posted by: Denelle
As you may or may not know the Senate Finance Committee is looking into the finances of several large televangelist ministries - namely the preacher's salaries, perks and travel.
Sen. Charles Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, sent lengthy questionnaires a month ago to six ministries so he could review whether pastors were complying with IRS rules that bar excessive personal gain through tax-exempt work.
I'm torn here since 1) ministry is supposed to be about helping others and not about personal gain so it's nice to know someone is attempting to monitor the process, but 2) people are so adamant about a separation of church and state and throw fits when the church starts to encroach on the state but turn the tables and let the state start to encroach on the church and it's perfectly o.k.??? I don't think so. Unless of course these guys (and gals) are doing something that is truly illegal and not just becoming insanely rich in which case the IRS is bound by the law to prosecute them.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. No one is prosecuting anyone (yet). The Senate Finance Committee simply wants to have their questionnaires filled out. "All the ministries preach a form of Word of Faith theology, known as prosperity gospel, which teaches that God wants believers to reap material rewards for their faith. Grassley has insisted his investigation 'has nothing to do with church doctrine' and is strictly concerned with making sure nonprofit groups are following the law." Of the six ministries contacted only Joyce Meyer Ministries has responded.
Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas, said in a statement to the AP on Thursday that he will not respond to the inquiry until next year.
A lawyer for preacher Creflo Dollar of World Changers Church International in suburban Atlanta had said Wednesday that the investigation should be referred to the IRS or the Senate panel should get a subpoena for the documents.
(Seriously, this guys ads run on the subways here in NYC and every time I see them it makes me want to throw up ... greasy hair, pin-striped suit, and "Dollar" really, am I supposed to believe that's his real name??? Yeah, that's likely.)
The other televangelists have been noncommittal in their public comments, but some have voiced strong objections that echo Dollar's.
The other ministries targeted in the inquiry are Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga.; Randy and Paula White of Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla.; and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas.
What is the big deal with complying unless you have something to hide?
Unfortunately that's exactly what it looks like and once again (Jim Baker anyone??) casts a shadow over televangelists and evangelical Christians in the eyes of the rest of the world.
Labels: Senate Finance Committee, Televangelists
You can watch the entire show, from Branson, MO, broadcast on November 21, 2007, with Bishop T.F. Tenney, as well as Jeannie Tenney singing, and Pastor Tommy Tenney sharing insight on his new book here.
You can watch the entire show, from Branson, MO, broadcast on November 21, 2007, with Bishop T.F. Tenney, as well as Jeannie Tenney singing, and Pastor Tommy Tenney sharing insight on his new book here.
