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The ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee is investigating the ministries of six well-known televangelists for alleged financial misconduct.Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has faxed letters to the ministries asking them[[[[ to turn over their financial statements and records to the committee by December 6. The six ministries under investigation are led by Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland, and Benny Hinn. ]]]]In the multi-page letters to the various ministries, Grassley requests [[[audited financial information as well as detailed information on aspects such as executive compensation, and real and personal assets.]]] (Read the five letters from Senator Grassley to the ministry leaders){{{Grassley says his office was alerted by numerous television and print journalists and third-party whistleblowers who claim the ministries are using their tax-exempt status as churches to fund lavish lifestyles.}}}"[[[It would be things like Bentleys, Rolls Royces, corporate jets, $23,000 marble commodes, and very expensive homes. That would be kind of an example of money down the toilet,"]]] explains Grassley. The Iowa lawmaker suggests that his fellow Christians, when examining such [["lavish" accommodations, think in terms of Jesus "going into the city on a simple donkey"-and question the extent to which corporate jets are needed to expand the ministry of Jesus Christ]](amen to that one....).[[[According to Grassley, the investigations have been going on for more than five years, and that other non-profits have been investigated as well. "And one of the things we found with other non-profits that might be an issue here is governance and transparency,"]]] says Grassley. He believes [[["the responsibility of a Christian church is good stewardship,"]]] and during the interview with OneNewsNow quoted from a 2003 Christianity Today editorial that read in part, "financial transparency is a must even if it's not legally required."The senator says he might hold hearings on the matter if the ministries do not cooperate with his investigation. He also stated that the probe might expand to other televangelist ministries.Financial accountability
Associated Press is pointing out that none of the ministries Grassley has contacted belongs to the organization known as the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). But if they did, says ECFA president Ken Behr, they would be facing the same type of inquiry regarding governance and financial transparency.According to Behr, despite the fact the ministries do not belong to ECFA, the organization still receives "a lot of inquiries" about them. "They're very large ministries," he notes. [[["There have been rumors of large salaries and compensation for a number of years. I think it's good to get to the heart of it," ]]]he tells AP.
The government has legitimate concerns about religious ministries, says Behr, and a right to investigate whether those ministries might be overpaying televangelists. He argues that [[[preachers should not be in the ministry to get rich.]]] "What the government is going to be concerned about, and what Senator Grassley is going to be concerned about, is what's called ('private inurement'-which is the whole idea that I'm lining my own pockets, I'm doing this ministry in order to get rich,") he explains.Toward that end, he continues, such inquiries must determine if such things as salaries, travel, and vacations funded by the ministry are benefiting the work of the non-profit-or being used as a way to take money from the donors' hands and "put it into the hands of the people who are running these ministries," he says.The ECFA president says he believes the targeted ministries will likely survive the probe-if they are open and transparent."I don't think this is a death knell for any of these ministries,"he offers."The donors tend to be very forgiving when it comes to ministries.They understand that from time to time, ministries may make a mistake.They're willing to forgive a lot."As far as Behr is concerned, the ministries should welcome the opportunity to be transparent.He believes it is time for them to understand the role of an independent board of directors and how important financial integrity is-not only to the government, but also to ministry donors.
PS:I think this is good in the sense that will put rumours to rest IF these rumours are lies and unfounded....
In the other hand IF these are TRUE....May the Lord Help these people....!I wouldn't like to be in their shoes....
As in the days of Noah....
