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Christianity Today, November (Web-only), 2007 |

Praise and Dismay for Senate Scrutiny of Ministries' Finances

While some cheer inquiry into alleged misuses of church funds, others fear government intrusion.

Joe Maxwell | posted 11/06/2007 04:26PM

A United States Senate committee is demanding a detailed look into the alleged lavish lifestyles of six prosperity gospel ministries, stirring both kudos and cries of concern from religious and First ...

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G_D Knows

Posted: November 20, 2007 8:24 AM

I agreed with Ken and Cheri Lin with regard to these "Mega Ministeries" who feed on others!! and would not tell the truth which they professed to teach others! God have mercy on their souls when they finished running the "race" with Crown of gold Now but what would Jesus say? Matt.23:25? Mark7:6? 1Cor.5:11,12. Pls. also read Roman 13:1 EVERYONE (BIBLE HAS NOT SAID MINISTRIES EXEMPTED) must submit himself/herself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established..........The authorities that exist have been established by God. ................ Roman13:7Give everyone what you owe him: IF you owe TAXES, PAY TAXES, IF REVENUE, then REVENUE.......(NIV)

Scott

Posted: November 19, 2007 11:51 PM


I find it very distressing that one of the biggest pork barrel spenders in the Senate, Charles Grassley, has taken it upon himself to investigate others and sit as judge and jury over them in regards to how they should spend other people's money. Sounds like that scripture, "First pull the beam out of your own eye ..." fits this situation to a T.

val ambiguous

Posted: November 16, 2007 9:11 PM

These church leaders have lived their lives in the lap of luxury, which is so far out of the character of Jesus Christ, the God of the Holy Scriptures until they now resemble their god Mammon. The gospel of Mammon is truly a different kind of gospel unlike the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ Kingdom was not "of" this world, in fact He taught and preached of a future Home. A home where His true followers would live with Him in eternity, in abundance and total bliss with Him. The popular names of these institutional leaders (not Gods true church leaders) have that aligned themselves within the light of government scrutiny. They should be called to the carpet and satisfy the inquistors who so faithfully gave into their ministries. God name will not be a scandel for the likes of these He is not mocked!! c outcry has reached towards heaven, and the Almighty God

ANN	Posted: November 15, 2007 11:53 AM

It's about time that somebody stop these people from stealing money from people in Jesus name by misleading them into thinking that their money is going to spread the gospel. They lie and tell people that the promises given to Israel in the old testament are now theirs. We are not promised the same material wealth that Israel was. The body of Christ is under grace. We have spiritual blessing not a material blessing. Shame on them for lying but more shame on the people that are sending them hundreds and thousands of dollars. They are ignorant of the scripture. Funny that you will rarely hear them talk about Jesus death on the cross which is the gospel of our salvation. If people would study scripture and not be ignorant it, this wouldn't be such a problem today.

Johann

Posted: November 14, 2007 9:28 AM


Hahahaha- maybe Hinn, Copeland et al can use their magic powers of name it/claim it to make this investigation disappear!

Just my opinion

Posted: November 11, 2007 10:04 PM

I am not trying to cause any hurt feelings, I am just upset that the pastors cant see what is going on. How can you ask other to support your lifestyle and you lie on the Word for approval. What Christ has asked of those who chosen to lead is to not worry where you are to sleep, not worry what you are to eat nor where you are to go. I think the issue is that some of these pastors are not willing to abide by it and instead will always point to the scripture that states "will a man rob God.." especially when they know that the verse (and book) refers to the man of God returning to God and not the congregation. My only thing is when are they willing to trust the same God that they ask us to. I am just so disappointed with pastors to the point that I prefer my prayer closet to the pulpit. Do not mean to be disrespecful, I am just tired. Please I beg of you- stop lying on my Father.

Anonymous

Posted: November 09, 2007 3:42 PM


THEY WANTED SEPERATION BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE.....SO PUT OUR TEN COMMANDMENTS BACK IN ALL MEGAGOVERMENT BUILDINGS AND PRAYER BACK IN ALL OUR SCHOOLS....THEN YOU CAN ASK TO SEE OUR STUFF ...YOU JUST CANNT STAND TO THINK GODS GIVING AND YOUR NOT RECIEVING

Jay	Posted: November 07, 2007 5:51 PM


When in the history of the world has more government intervention been a good thing? Get the government out of the steeples; Christians can handle their own problems.

Dianne

Posted: November 07, 2007 5:04 PM


As others, I am concerned about our rights and the expected negative repercussions. That being said, I also wonder why this snare has not included others' seemingly extravagant ministries and lifestyles...can they be mentioned...TBN...???

Jacob John

Posted: November 07, 2007 3:12 PM


God bless Grassley. I have given up on these evangelists. Permit me an example - the tragedy is not Oral Roberts saying if he did not get that $8 million then God was going to take him home. No, the tragedy was that he was sent the funds. $23,000 for a commode, while the people in my home country cry out to the Most High one for food. God be merciful to us, God be merciful to me.

Ken	Posted: November 07, 2007 2:34 PM


Seeing as at least one of them, Mr. Hinn, does not lead a church, but a ministry, it seems out of order for his ministry to be making use of privileges designated exclusively for churches.

Yves Brault

Posted: November 07, 2007 12:30 PM


Some ministers preach the Gospel to make money, while real man of God preach the Gospel without worrying about money, because they know God will provide. Yves Brault

Jeff A.

Posted: November 07, 2007 12:22 PM

As a former Iowan I always considered Charles Grassley a "friendly" conservative and the Republicans to be "faith-friendly" overall and supportive of ministries (knowing there is always going to be a bad apple or two in every segment of society). If this probe was coming from Iowa's Tom Harkin and his friends, I wouldn't be at all surprised, I would be expecting our faith-loving friends on the other side of the aisle to provide a balanced counter-punch any minute now. But since Grassley is the one huffing and puffing and trying to blow down the protective door of the constitution I can only imagine that at some point in the not-so-distant future we will look back and see this as the first steps towards a government-sponsored persecution we have been able to avoid for over 230 years. But if there is a bright-side it would be this- if the tax and accountability laws are going to be re-written, I would rather they be re-written by lawmakers who claim to share the same values. GO HAWKS!

Dana	Posted: November 07, 2007 7:31 AM

i support investigations, but am concerned about senate involvement. it's a bit ironic too, seeing as how the investigations are being conducted by people who, when the church gets involved in politics, holler and fuss about separating church and state. just to clarify, i AM in support of investigating the finances of these ministries, but i feel that the senate doing these investigations is inappropriate.

Candace L. Lamm

Posted: November 07, 2007 6:56 AM

It is long overdue to look into aform of racketeering and conspiracy to defraud GOD and his people. All churches should be required to file 990's and to submit certified independent audits. The trend to steal governance and assets from many historic African Amarican Churches by Potentates who"called themselves is an ongoing criminal enterprise. Wallace Charles Smith in Washington D.C. shouhd be added t o the Senators inquiry immediately.

Bill	Posted: November 07, 2007 4:46 AM


Though I'm not surprised by the alleged excesses of individuals within "Ministries," what I find interesting is how history is repeating itself almost 20 years later. Anyone remember Jim and Tammy Bakker? (Followed around 1 year later by Jimmy Swaggart?) "Judgment must first begin at the House of God..."

Cheri Lin

Posted: November 06, 2007 8:29 PM


I'm glad someone is asking Joyce Meyer to explain why her ministry needs a 20K+ marble toilet seat.

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