2 of 2

Ministries need to be "open and transparent," Pitzer said. "Donors want to make sure that charitable assets are being spent the way they should be."

Hunter said Christians are "charged in Scripture to be 'above reproach' and to be submissive to the government that God has put in place. So every ministry should be pleased for the opportunity to confirm the integrity of its operations and show that it is spending money wisely.

"Similarly, when we are called to give an account, we have the opportunity to advance our credibility—both inside and outside the church. We should be eager to correct anything an examination would find, so that we can improve our performance and live up to our scriptural mandate."

Some ministries are giving "all of us a bad name because money has been misused," Charisma magazine editor Lee Grady told The Tampa Tribune. "This is an awkward time for the church. I believe God is putting his finger on some problems and demanding that we set our house in order. If we don't correct these problems ourselves, then the government may have to step in and do it. And that will be unfortunate."

While Grassley is not proposing any changes to the law or tax code, he's suggesting that he may do so after the investigation. "Based on initial review, the way ministries operate has changed significantly over the last 20 years to 25 years, while the tax laws governing them for the most part have not," his office said.

Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The letters from the Senate to Randy and Paula White, Pastor Benedictus Hinn, David and Joyce Meyer, Bishop Eddie L. Long, Creflo and Taffi Dollar, and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland are available on Grassley's website.

Ted Olsen reported on the Senate's investigation earlier.

Christianity Today reported in 2006 on a bill that would have compelled Massachusetts churches to disclose their finances.

Other news includes:

Senator requests finances of Hinn, Copeland ministries | U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley is asking a handful of high-profile ministries, including two from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, to provide detailed information about their finances. (The Dallas Morning News)

Senate inquiry targets televangelists | The top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said Tuesday he has launched an investigation into alleged financial wrongdoing involving six well-known televangelists. (Associated Press)

Senate Panel Probes 6 Top Televangelists | Sen. Charles Grassley asks ministries to turn over financial records within one month. (CBS News)

U.S. senator to investigate televangelists, including ORU regents | A veteran U.S. senator announced Tuesday that he is looking into generous salaries, luxury cars and private jets provided to six televangelists, including three who serve as regents for Oral Roberts University. (Tulsa World)

Christianity Today has previously profiled Randy and Paula White's Without Walls.

Joyce Meyer has responded to criticism about her church's finances in the past.

A 2003 Christianity Today editorial said financial transparency was a must, even when not legally required.

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

November (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51