Wow . I'm sort of suprised at this type of response from freepers. Fleecing the flock ? Are you insane? Mac is one of us and has helped countless thousands of people be closer to the lord (me included) and started the church with nothing ...absolutely nothing.
Sure is a lot of stone throwing going on in here.
I for one am thankful for this man and the awesome success's he and this church have bestowed upon my community and my family...not to mention the world.
Without him and this church, my kids wouldn't be getting a proper education. Without him and this church, thousands of young people would be roaming the streets of Minneapolis on the weekends instead of enjoying the largest nightclub in the city ...which is all Christian based. Endless good things come from this church including the support of other ministries and charities world-wide. (how much money did your church give to charity last year ? well ? )
So tell me friends, how much money do you think you should make if you were the head of a 34 million dollar company ? Do you think you might live in a house worth about 500K ? Do you think your wife might drive a 40K Lexus SUV ? Well? You think you might have a sportscar yourself and maybe a couple motorcycles ? You don't think you'd be threading your salary through every tax loophole you could ? Don't be stupid ! Why shouldn't he take every tax advantage he can ? Is he somehow not entitled to the same tax rights as you or I? Well ?
Couple things should be cleared up here. The star tribune is inaccurate and liberally biased. (everyone around here knows that) They missed several of his holdings to which he explained on Sunday and were also inaccurate about others. They said he had two condos in Florida. (wow ..shocking.. so do about a million other minnesotans) They were wrong. He owns two HOUSES in Florida. Don't you all own real estate? Pretty wise investment. I guess pastors aren't entitled to protect their salaries...I guess they are supposed to piss them away on over paying taxes and giving the rest away. (?)
Those of you throwing stones at this man are receiving the wrong message. Mac teaches there are no "get rich quick" schemes. That you must live by the word to find *any* increase in your life that is worthy of the lord.
These are called blessings and you must work for them ... increase doesn't neccesarily mean money.
No I'm not wealthy, and I'm not planning on getting rich. I do however find myself becoming more and more blessed in my life the more I adhere to the word and reflect upon the words of my pastor.
You sceptics have got this man wrong. I invite you to call the church and ask for a free DVD of last Sundays service.
Give him a chance to tell you about the good things this Christian body of believers has done for themselves and the world around them.
..and for Gods sake stop throwing rocks at a good man when he's being challenged.
One more thing in case you think I'm kissing his rear-end. Mac Hammond is not the type of pastor I always see eye to eye with...and he knows that of people. Yet somehow he has enough repect and common courtesy to treat everyone as an individual who answers only to themselves and the lord...not to the church and not to him. I'm not a regular church goer myself for some of these types of reasons, but even I am not about to insult and cut down one of the strongest bodies of conservatives and christians in this filthy secular sea of liberalism known as Minneapolis.
Some of you owe the man an apology...those of you who think otherwise probably aren't church goers anyway and may even think your a better Christian going it alone.
I'm here to tell you're wrong. Thanks for letting me vent ;)
THANK YOU FOR A VERY WELL THOUGHT OUT and articulate response. You have made some very good points which I will take into consideration. I appreciate your response.
Good for you. Too many FReepers have these knee jerk responses whenever they hear the word prosperity or even pastor. They don't know the facts but they're certainly willing to fit what they do know (or don't, as is the case) to their own feelings about pastors and prosperity. Cheez.