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.
This, from a reverend? A man of God?
Oy vey!
It’s the Central Baptist Church in Hixson,TN.
well if they own non church-related businesses and investments, they are entitled to, like anyone to live off the fruits of their wealth... Being a minister doesn’t mean becoming poor as a church mouse
When you use the name of God to rake in the money and use peoples faith, those people are slime.
Another reason churchs should pay taxes
Church Mouse would probably be me. I have a strong influence on Elephants though.
Think hard about what you just posted.
When some big citizen group demands to see accountability from both U.S. Houses...is when I will be very interested.
They are slimeballs, but at least they haven’t sunk to becoming politicians!
Regardless of what you think of these people, I don’t think we need the foxes who steal my money guarding the henhouse.
Oh yea?
Tax free status should not entitle the crooks to the wealth they steal from the simple minded.
Like the big church in Central Texas that owns 300-500 million in jet and antique aircraft, tax free.
The REVEREND says he like to fly.
Too bad, tax them as the business they are.
Exactly.
Do you find a basis for your claim in the Holy Bible or are you just expressing a personal bias or perhaps even envy?
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/299670.html
“Aircraft of local televangelist and his church are under scrutiny
By DARREN BARBEE
Star-Telegram Staff Writer”
I guess reality hurts
..although six figures is chickenfeed to these guys.
And his name is 'Creflo Dollar.' I mean... COME ON!
And look, you must be confusing a real executive or a real, Catholic priests' workload with this Dandy's 20 hour week.
What about leaders in the Banking business, or better yet - what about politicians who come to the House and Senate as average Joe'?.
After a number of years, they are millionaires or richer. What about them, their salaries and pensions are from the public troughs?
Where do their millions come from?
Those politicians are abusing the American taxpayer - at least those mega-Pastors are given money by choice, no matter how awful their practices and promises - their millions don't come by force of the IRS, yet there are far more millionaire politicians than pastors.
Who will "investigate" them?
Certainly NOT the media, they help cover up the wrongdoings that put the politicians on top.
I wonder what Jesus would say about that...?
I remember hearing this guy years ago and after hearing he was a typical TV evangelist looking for prosperity, and seeing his name was Creflo DOLLAR ($$$$$$) I had to laugh. After this story and others like him it re-confirms that people like this that deceive their congregation are doing serious harm to the Christian church as a whole.
Another reason churchs
You don't have the ability to reign in your animosity towards the Church.
Give some relief to anything tonite, I guess your hatred might consume that and spend it.
Oh yeah? How much did YOU give to the Reverend?
Try giving that same amount (probably zero $) to the government and you will see a big difference between the two.
I trust these TV preachers more than I trust Congress with my money.
You don’t know me nor my many years working in the church.
Depends. Newer ones, yeah. But the pre-1970s Rolls Royces and Bentleys are a different story.
And having a Rolls Royce engine in one's P-51 Mustang is an indication of serious class, of course ;)
Most of these shysters are con artists using religion to scam people.
OK - Why would I want to go there? I have no void in spiritual life. Just a basic “Mass on Sunday, say my prayers” Catholic who tries to remain open to whatever God has in mind for me.
I see your words. Were they incorrect?
I don’t think churches should have “real estate ventures.” So wrong in so many ways. But there are legitimate ways a lot of these churches and ministers made fortunes.
It was just an invitation, that’s all! :^)
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