Posted on 11/11/2007 5:20:17 PM PST by Graybeard58
An Atlanta megachurch took in $69 million in 2006, according to a financial statement the church's minister released in response to a Senate investigation into him and five other well-known televangelists.
The Rev. Creflo Dollar disclosed the World Changers Church International's financial information to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but said the money he spends is his own.
Dollar said his income comes from personal investments, including businesses and real estate ventures. But the church gave him a Rolls Royce, which he mainly uses for special occasions, he said.
"Without a doubt, my life is not average," he said. "But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong."
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, launched an investigation into the finances of six ministers after hearing reports of some preachers' lavish and opulent lifestyles. In a letter last week, he requested answers by Dec. 6 to questions about their executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
Yech....
69 million is chickenfeed. Even a small city like Sandy Utah has a completely corrupt govt that spends a billion dollars on a white elephant of a, get this, a soccer stadium! How many millions are the govt officials and their buddies pocketing at taxpayer expense? I consider corrupt govt officials to be a far worse danger to the body politic than a few shyster TV ministers. No one is forcing the people to send money to a ministry. The city steals millions at gunpoint.
Well you know those electric bills have got to add up. I’ll resist the urge to comment on the surname.
A politician pointing the finger over allegations of living too high on other’s money. That’s rich.
So?????
Amen.
The government is only upset because they aren’t getting a piece of that 69 million. I’m sure we’ll hear their solution will be regulation and taxes to pay for it.
There is certainly abuse and its sad that money is spent on luxuries when there is Gods work thats underfunded. However, how do you expect someone who can build something like this to work for pennies.
These guys know how to market, that’s for sure, but they’re no different than politicians. They keep peoples’ attention by talking while others pick their pockets for them. Both kinds of slugs have been around since the beginning of time. And for both, “reform” means only that they’ve figured out a new way to pick your pocket.
There is no reason that non-profit status should confer the ability to live like Donald Trump, but for the income taxes. Start with Dollar, but don’t forget Operation PUSH!
You are not far from ABBAs House. It works very hard for people who need help.
If Grassley has a beef, he needs to call the IRS or the Attorney General. What is the allegation of wrongdoing? Do we need a Ministry windfall profits tax? When sports stars, pornographers or dot com whiz kids make millions, no one calls for a Senate investigation. This is a Grassley warning to Evangelicals not to endorse the wrong candidates and to be sure to donate to the right ones.
I work for a regional not-for-profit, different than a non-profit, but we operate on a VERY tight budget. I make a good salary, I'll admit, but have no medical or other benefits than sick days/vacation/etc. Why? I get it through my husband's work.
It's not my money; it's my members money. I do not spend it frivilously on anything - including myself.
I don't mind a preacher living well if he is supervising a $69M a year operation. People that high up are typiclaly working 80-90-100 hour weeks, even with a large support staff. You are NEVER off the clock. While a great many folks get a punch out, go home, and forget about the place, the true leaders never get to punch out...it's on their mind 24-7.
I'm sure everyone has stories about lazy bosses, suck ups who never work a day but take all the credit, etc. But for all those jerks, there are just as many folks who work tirelessly building their organizations, often sacrificing time from family and themselves to achieve their goals.
The government should leave these people alone. Unwise leaders usually topple all on their own.
While I get the scoffing at politicians, a pastor has no business driving a Rolls. None. Not one who heeds the Gospel.
I have nothing against preachers living above poverty lines, but that’s just a blatant excess.
Thank you for saying that!!
I’m not sure what you mean. Are you referring to “Abba” as in “Father”?
“While I get the scoffing at politicians, a pastor has no business driving a Rolls. None. Not one who heeds the Gospel.”
I agree but it should be his congregation putting the thumbscrews on and not Congress. The same folks that what Religion out of government are now trying to put government in charge of religion.
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