Jerry Falwell has been calling for more stringent accountability among Christian broadcasters since he took over as chairman of the PTL ministries. The depth of PTL’s financial straits and revelations about Jim and Tammy Bakker’s lavish lifestyle have fueled his concern.
“What we need—and it’s going to happen—is for churches everywhere to have internal audits done by outside auditing agencies and made public,” Falwell told a National Press Club audience last month in Washington, D.C.
Further accountability is due from ministers with high visibility in the media, he said. “Most of us in Christian television and radio ministry have been very independent and even arrogant toward the idea that the government or media or anyone else has any right to anything inside our ministries. All of that is history.” Falwell added, “The ministries that deserve to survive will, and those that do not deserve to survive will not.”
Falwell used his National Press Club appearance to clarify statements that have been misconstrued in the rush of news coverage of the scandal at PTL, which stands for Praise the Lord and People that Love. “I have no intention of staying at PTL permanently,” Falwell said, adding that he plans to remain at the helm only one year.
He said he is searching for new leadership for the Fort Mill, South Carolina, television network and Christian theme park. PTL founders Jim and Tammy Bakker will not be invited to return, he said, and the new leadership will be expected to submit to “a board that will guarantee protection for all the investors, the creditors, and the donors.”
Since he assumed leadership of the embattled ministry in March, Falwell has been criticized harshly by some Pentecostal Christians who accuse him of taking over for his own personal gain. He denied that charge and praised the remaining PTL staff members. “Once the [former] leaders were gone, the people responded as though they’d been liberated,” Falwell said. After announcing layoffs of senior PTL officials on April 28, Falwell said he received an extended standing ovation from the remaining 1,500 workers there.
In selecting new leadership, Falwell said, “we are trying to represent every constituency in the family of God.” Denounced as being anticharismatic, he explained his views on elements within the charismatic movement. “I condemn the health-wealth prosperity gospel,” he said, “as do most mainline Pentecostals.”
The board appointed by Falwell, which now includes no charismatic or Pentecostal leaders, has headaches beyond outside criticism. Supporters of PTL who have paid $1,000 each for a “lifetime partnership” at the Heritage Village vacation park are finding there is no room at the inn. Lifetime partners are guaranteed a free four-day, three-night stay at Heritage every year. However, Falwell said, “the previous administration sold each room to the extent that there are 2.5 families per room per night forever. One hotel isn’t finished yet, so the ratio right now is 5 to 1.”
Later last month, he announced that the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Postal Service, and the U.S. Justice Department have launched three criminal investigations of PTL. While the new PTL board will cooperate with federal investigations, Falwell said, he hopes no criminal charges will be brought against the Bakkers. Falwell took the reins at PTL after Jim Bakker stepped down following reports of sexual sin and financial irresponsibility.
PTL last month filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws. That move gives PTL time to reorganize its finances as it attempts to pay off its debts.
In light of revelations of political and religious leaders who have committed adultery, Falwell was asked at the National Press Club whether there is anything in his past that would embarrass him if it became public. He replied, “Yes. I was raised a Democrat.”
