Pastor admits charging $50K on church's credit cards, gets 15 years

Chicago Tribune ^ | 5 May 2014

[Gamecock]

A former South Side pastor who ran up more than $50,000 in personal expenses on the church’s credit cards was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison for theft, according to Cook County prosecutors and court records.

Bernard Johnson, 47, who was pastor at St. Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft from a place of worship.

In May 2009, he opened an American Express account in the church’s name and used that to pay for clothing, trips, airline tickets for family members, restaurant tabs, car rentals and hotel stays, the charges alleged

[Oratam]

Looks like an early ‘80s era album cover.

[AllAmericanGirl44]

I am having the same reaction you are.
Our sentencing is so out of whack!

[Hoodat]

If you Believe— you are saved. You don’t need a club house to pay for or a “preacher” to pay his mortgage and car payment and 40K!! JOHN 3:16— That is all you need.

Have you ever considered that there may be a purpose behind it? Jesus spent three years preaching about one topic. And that topic wasn't 'getting saved'.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

[Hoodat]

And yet a church and it’s proper function is described throughout the NT. Not to save but for the saved.

Well said. A church is a congregation of sinners who are now accountable to each other.

[Hoodat]

John 3:16.

Matthew 6:33

[Kenny Bunk]

Read the article. Although the Rev. used a church credit card, which he obtained without authorization, he WAS the pastor and is probably allowed to sign for quite a bit. Sorry, but this sounds more like a case for the vestrymen rather than the law. BTW, why would the vestry take on a pastor who was on probation for a similar contretemps in the past? Something a bit screwy here. ... and sure to be something else going on. If it were just about the money, which isn't all that much, they would have to bust every pastor in Chicago.

This light-fingered fellow gets 15 years, and The Reverend Al Sharpton is free to walk the streets?

[fortheDeclaration]

The King James Bible was finished in 1611.

The word 'church' is a legitimate translation for 'Eklessia'.

The church is the body of believers.(Eph.5)

You are correct you don't need a building, the 1st century church met in homes.

The 'church' in the Old Testament was an assembly.(Acts 7)

[fortheDeclaration]

Not when the Holy Spirit is involved!

All of the NT are equally God's words

[fortheDeclaration]

All of the Bible are God’s words (Old and New Testament)

[Gamecock]

I did read it carefully. Still think my question is valid, but it is that. A question. Not a legal opinion.

[Kenny Bunk]

....my question is valid, but it is that. A question.

Forgive me, I was rushing to not judgement, lest I be judged! That is an interesting legal point. If he got the AMEX in the Church's name, the Church could be on the hook. However, it could also become an insurance matter.

50 Large? How could that paltry sum be a 15-year problem in Chicago? The board could certainly wring this much out of the poor SOB's hide. Then there's Calypso Louie, Emmanuel Rahm, Jesse Jackson, The Reverend Wright .... come on my brothers, bail the guy ... and the church ...out

[Popman]

——But most are Hearsay— non admissible evidence — Except Joh— He was a witness with first hand knowledge. Mark? Luke? What a joke. Matthew? All 30 years after the resurrection. Non admissible evidence.-——

Glad you cleared that up for me....never knew I was laboring under a delusion that the Gospels except for the book ofJohn was bogus....

The whole of Christendom for 500 years must have been idiots....

/ S