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 ...
Yup. Unlike our elected officials, megachurches aren’t giving hundreds of millions of dollars to Palestinian terrorist orgs and lining the deep pockets of third world parasites the world over..
Unlike our elected officials, megachurches aren’t giving hundreds of millions of dollars to Palestinian terrorist orgs and lining the deep pockets of third world parasites the world over..
At one time no taxes was a good idea but since many of these so called churches are nothing but side shows and the use of TV to further their scams, they are no longer a church but a scam.
Your right, it's an old fashioned shake down.
Let's hope my grand daughter (Holly_P) doesn't see that reference to Joyce Meyer, we do not want to get her started on that subject.
Yes, I'm talking about another member and not pinging her and don't you do it either.
One of my bosses at a "non-profit" took approximately a month long vacation in Italy. "Non-profits (not all, but many) are providing management nicely. Workers - not so much! People calling always asked "is your company a non-profit?" Of course we were, but the wool was already over their eyes by that point.
OK - I understand now and I appreciate it. Sometimes it’s hard to get what’s being said, so I hope I didn’t put you off by my misunderstanding. I like the simplicity of worship and communion in my small parish church and that suits my personality - thoughtful and reflective - more than a large and openly demonstrative kind of church setting would. I guess I’m not either an “evangelical” or a “charismatic” Christian - just a deeply flawed believer.
God’s work is not underfunded. He works for free....and you couldn’t afford his hourly rate if he were to charge.
what is sometimes “underfunded” is our work “on his behalf”.
It would seem like the nonprofit groups singled out in the article are actually over-funded since there is money left over for opulent living.
Congress may get away with squandering our money, but I think you would have to not believe in God to dare squandering the gifts of his people on yourself, and if you’re wrong there could be hell to pay.
Um, got it.
On one hand, I'm glad that Christians are so generous and that there are so many generous Christians, but these super successful, high dollar churches seem unsavory to me. I don't expect them to be poor and give away every dollar and have Sunday services in a shack, but gaudy displays of wealth and opulence seem out of step with Jesus' message, as is my judging. Oh well, I guess it's the devil in me that distrusts televangelists and preachers in Rolls Royces...
http://ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/H_Home.asp
Really does not matter what the gross is it is what is done with that money that is important. Trying to hide what the money goes to is one of the first clues to a problem. The above organization rates ministries mostly on their transparency or in other words openness about telling all about where the money goes. Preachers need to live too and we do expect them to dress better than the congregation.
people are just jealous that his church is successful. But you know what? if you want successful institutions you have to reward the ‘CEO’ and this applies for churches and non-profits just as much as for-profit companies.
That about says it all "it is excessive!" Where does Jesus teach us about about excessive living? Lots of excessive wealth here no treasure in heaven.
However the gov has no business making this there business to investigate. If there are laws being broken let the FBI and IRS do their jobs.
Cannot help but wonder how this may be connected to the lefts strategy of disarming evangelicals for the purpose of advantage in the next election.
And some wonder why people have a beef with organized religion. This is disgusting, not to mention highly hypocritical.
More fitting; I would NOT trust EITHER!!!
Sixty-nine million? Sounds almost purpose driven.
And just how many people did you save today?
good for him. It’s none of the government’s business.
I would love to see Operation PUSH investigated, but who in their right mind would be willing to be called racist and every other name in the book by the likes of Jackson and Sharpton???
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