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Meyer says her ministry donates funds to 119 different outreach programs worldwide each month. Her ministry receives millions of dollars yearly from donors around the world. Her television and radio programs can be seen and heard across the United States, as well as in parts of South America, Europe, Africa, India, and Asia.

Leonard believes Meyer's decision to take a reduced salary is a cautionary step. "She's drastically reducing the amount of money coming into her pocket from the ministry and increasing the amount she's getting from outside the ministry. That positions her better for an IRS investigation," he said.

Joyce Meyer Ministries spokesman Sutherland said, however, that the board began considering the decision to change Meyer's salary long before Wall Watchers called for the IRS to investigate. "There's never been any concern with the IRS finding anything other than a ministry run with integrity," he said.

Concerns regarding Meyer's financial situation have impacted at least one of the televangelist's partnerships with a Christian television network in the Midwest.

Larry Rice, director of New Life Evangelistic Center Incorporated, which operates Christian television and radio stations throughout parts of Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, said the debate over Meyer's financial situation and the makeup of her board of directors has made him uncomfortable airing her television and radio programs on his channels.

Rice sent Meyer a letter last December stating he did not plan to renew her contract for the Sunday evening slot she'd previously purchased with his network for her Life in the Word program. He also told Meyer he was considering canceling her weekday slots as well. Meyer responded by canceling the contract for her weekday program herself. "We are constantly evaluating our media options in each of our markets and it is not uncommon to make changes following these assessments," Meyer said of her decision to cancel the contract.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Joyce Meyer's Life in the Word has a response on its web site.

The St. Louis Post Dispatchseries is available online.

Wall Watchers has information on its activities online.

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January (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48