Posted on 11/06/2007 4:41:44 AM PST by Clintons Are White Trash
WASHINGTON — The top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee has launched a wide-ranging investigation into the financial dealings of six TV evangelists, including Joyce Meyer, the popular preacher who has built a $124-million-a-year empire headquartered in Fenton.
On Monday, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, asked Meyer to provide his staff with documents detailing the finances of the Joyce Meyer Ministries, including the religious group's compensation to Meyer, her husband and other family members, as well as an accounting of their housing allowances, gifts and credit card statements for the last several years.
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
From the article it seems like they’re interested in tax-exempt mone being used for personal reasons.
oops, money, not mone
I dunno. I guess maybe they think her wealth is ill-gotten? I wonder what the rest of the details are....
If your tax exempt it becomes their business. I say good because as supposed messengers of the Gospel they need to be on the up and up.
Ping.
One of your unfavorite people is being discussed.
I’m torn on this issue.
On the one hand I would apprecicate more accountability from these televangelists and if government is the one who needs to inflict transparency on them — so be it.
But if I was in the ministry’s shoes I would consider using the issue of the separation of church and state against the government and tell them to stick their requests where the sun don’t shine — lawyer up and see if this outlasts the next elections.
...
"I'm following up on complaints from the public and news coverage regarding certain practices at six ministries," Grassley said in a statement. "The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls-Royces.
"I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code."
Meyer is a con artist, plain and simple.
I’d question the tax-exempt purpose of a $23,000 marble commode as well. I’m sure Home Depot has a cheaper one.
(exerpt)
“In response to Grassley’s letter, Meyer’s attorney, Thomas Winters, said in a statement to the Post-Dispatch, “JMM is committed to conducting itself with excellence and integrity, choosing to go above and beyond the level of accountability required by law.”
He said JMM has undergone a voluntary independent financial audit each year. In 2006, he said, 82 percent of JMM’s expenses were used for outreach and program services “directed toward reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Winters also said the IRS recently conducted an inquiry into JMM and determined that the ministry continues to qualify for tax-exempt status.”
Other ministries targeted by Grassley inquiry:
Benny Hinn (Grapevine, Texas)
His daily television program “This is Your Day!” is seen in over 100 countries. Hinn also conducts a miracle crusade each month. Hinn provides “healing” to people by touching them, claiming they are “slain in the Spirit.”
Eddie Long (Lithonia, Ga.)
A politically active African-American pastor for over 20 years, Long has a congregation of over 25,000. Long preaches anti-gay themes and has programs that to help gays “convert” to heterosexuality. Says God blesses people financially as well as spiritually.
Creflo and Taffi Dollar (College Park, Ga.)
The Dollars’ “Changing Your World” broadcasts are seen in over 150 countries. Creflo Dollar Ministries oversees the ministry. Dollar owns two Rolls-Royces, multiple private jets, a $2.5 million apartment in Manhattan and a mansion in Atlanta.
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland (Newark, Texas)
Kenneth Copeland publishes “The Believer’s Voice of Victory,” a monthly magazine. Since 1989, has broadcast the “Believer’s Voice of Victory” television program. He is a practitioner of the Word of Faith movement, whose belief is that if a person has enough faith, he or she will be rewarded spiritually and financially.
Randy and Paula White (Tampa, Fla.)
Started the South Tampa Christian Center in 1991, renamed the Without Walls International Church in 1997. Among their possessions were a $1.9 million jet and a $3.5 million condo in New York. In August, Randy and Paula White announced their divorce.
So one of my questions is — doesn’t a Senate Financial committee have anything better to do with it’s time than investigate these ministries?
Why aren’t they investigating corruption during the rebuilding of Iraq with an alleged $1 Billion dollars gone missing?
Meyer is a con artist plain and simple.
Well, two things he wants to know are:
“A “detailed accounting” of all her and her husband’s expense-account items, including clothing and cosmetic surgery.”
“The tax-exempt purpose of items purchased for her ministry’s headquarters, such as a $23,000 marble-topped commode, a $30,000 conference table and an $11,219 French clock.”
It seems to be based on a 2003 newspaper expose on where some of the ministry money may actually be going. If the ministry (financed by tax-exempt money donated by people who think it’s going to help spread the gospel) is paying for her cosmetic surgery and $23,000 toilets, they deserve to lose their tax-exempt status.
This is curious. Grassley is a straight shooter.
I am sure that the good senators are totally motivated by a desire to do GOOD and help us poor fleeced religionists — protecting us from ourselves...... They are the government they are here to help!!</sarcasm>
There are many other ministries that are conspicuously missing from this list.
What? Well, she's doing her best to keep the economy going.
Looks like he picked the easy targets.
Are they talking about members of Congress?
Rev. Ike? “Send me MONEY!!!”
I have friends who currently work for JMM — I live in St. Louis.
JMM works them very very hard. They work long hours for just above minimum wage. They keep wages low by convincing people that theirs is not just a job but they are a part of a ministry — doing God’s work.
I know many of these people — they are very dedicated to JM M and to their work. They will defend Joyce to the death.
One other thing — JMM is a generous giver to relief work and missions around the world. AIDs relief, orphans and orphanages, schools and food. Her ministry is very giving.
I’m sure a great many employees at the Home Depot don’t make that in a year. I don’t expect that she live in poverty, but this is ridiculous. I think of the elderly and others on fixed incomes who give, and it sickens me that their money is squandered on such self-serving opulence.
JMM works them very very hard. They work long hours for just above minimum wage. They keep wages low by convincing people that theirs is not just a job but they are a part of a ministry — doing God’s work.
_______________________________________________
I bet the lawyers and accountants she must be hiring now are making well above minimum wage!
She evidently never read what the Apostle Paul had to say on things like this.....
Since when does God’s work include fundraising for $23,000 toilets and cosmetic surgery?
c
Yes, it isn’t easy to get the camel through the needle’s eye, and with a marble toilet in tow; You have to wonder if one is even really trying :)
Those untargeted ministries probably paid the hush money to congress.
There is the fact they they enrich themselves but the fact they are preaching a false gospel is far worse but that is no business of the governments.
All the mega churches are suspect.
ping
He’s also investigating Hinn and Copeland.
Well TD, that’s what happens when you’re a “victore” & not a “victum” :)
It sounds like a fishing expedition. The ministries’ business is none of Grassley’s business unless there exists substantial evidence for seeking such information.
Jim Baker, Part Deus?.............
TV ministries do make a ton of money. In the past too many have not used the money well. Sit back and watch. The truth is strong and pray to Jesus it comes to light.
Maybe the ones that aren't "conspicuously" consuming?...........
I know of Joyce Meyer (I don't watch her as a rule, but have seen/heard her)...
..I certainly don't loop her with the Bakers or Jimmy Swaggert, etc.
She mostly speaks to women and her message is encouraging, Biblical and sound.
Very strange, this....Why Grassley?
The ones who made targets of themselves..............
And you can verify this?....or do you think if you say it enough times, it's as sufficient as fact?
So did the people at Jim Jones' compound in Guyana...........
You and the rest of the small, petty, characters on this thread who instantly reached for the pile of stones are endorsing the actions of the government without one supporting fact. That’s a wholly liberal response. Thanks for all of you showing your true colors.
Ministries, NO. Finances, YES. As a "NOT-FOR-PROFIT" organization, they have been granted TAX-EXEMPT status by the government. They had to sign forms and swear to it. If they are using funds TAX-EXEMPT for personal use, they are in big trouble. Just ask Jim Baker..............
Folks on some of these threads have a rabid anger at religious leaders.... (or maybe just Evangelical) leader.
Their posts reflect their feelings.
I know some of these ministers write and sell books. Are their book profits tax exempt? If not, they may be buying these items out of their profits. They do have a right to spend their own money any way they want just like the rest of us.
If these purchases are coming out of their ministry, then I agree that they should be investigated.
$23,000 toilets are ridiculous.
EXACTLY...WHY Grassley? He’s in the MINORITY...he can’t really look into anything unless the DEMOCRATS want him to! They probably gave this to him so as to not look anti-religious.
“Meyer is a con artist, plain and simple.”
Yup. This is a new scam. The problem is that they hide behind laws designed to protect churches.
“We aren’t selling God’s blessings. We make money because people buy our books and stuff. It’s a business”
“Let’s see your financials”
“No way, we are a church”.
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