2007- a Tough Year for Popular Televangelists
Show the Senate the Money
The lavish lifestyles of six popular television preachers have come into question by Senate Finance Committee ranking member republican Chuck Grassley. On November 5th, his office requested information regarding amenities given to executives, church expenses, and executive compensation. Televangelist part of the inquiry are Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International , Randy and Paula White of Without Walls International Church, David and Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Pastor Benny Hinn, Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Baptist Church, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries. On his website Sen. Grassley explains the reasons for the investigation are due to "...complaints from the public and news coverage regarding certain practices..." It is no big secret that those who spread the word of God through television and other media outlets lead extravagant lifestyles. Their church members clearly know that their pastors are not flying coach and driving used cars.
The timing of this so called investigation is to be questioned. Why discredit these leaders now? Oddly enough, that same week Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson endorsed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's run for the White House. Food for thought: discredit six mega churches with a huge minority and women base, which more than likely vote democrat meanwhile Republican Party supporter Pat Robertson and his group endorse Rudy Giuliani for President.
For Mega Church Preachers it's "A Thin Line between Love and Hate"
Prophetess Juanita Bynum and soon to be ex husband Pastor Thomas Weeks III showed the world that domestic violence and drama can indeed take place in Christian homes. In August 2007, Bynum and her husband Reverend Weeks met up at an Atlanta, Georgia hotel to try to reconcile their broken relationship. Needless to say the meeting did not turn out well. Bynum emerged from the hotel's garage battered and bruised by the hands of her husband. Since the incident Prophetess Bynum has proclaimed herself as the "face of domestic violence" and spoke about her ordeal on numerous media and news outlets. Bishop Weeks maintains his innocence in the matter and suggest that Bynum's bruises were self inflicted.
Another marriage that has seen its last days in 2007 was that of Pastors Paula and Randy White. The popular married televangelist couple announced their plans to divorce in front of their "Without Walls International Church" congregation in August. Their divorce has since been finalized. Unlike the parking garage drama of Juanita Bynum and Bishop Weeks III, many people question the reason for the White break up. Associated Content Producer Clarisse Van Horne examines the possible reason for the Christian couple's break-up in her article "Randy and Paula White Divorce: A Scandal in the Making".
Went Home to be with the Lord
2007 also marked the passing of beloved nationally known evangelicals and Christian leaders.
COGIC leader Bishop G.E. Patterson succumbed to heart failure last March at Memphis University Hospital. Tammy Faye Messner passed away on July 20th after an 11 year battle with cancer. Controversial Jerry Falwell died of heart problems on May 15th. Ruth Graham, wife of Evangelist Billy Graham passed away June 14th at home.
What's next for the Mega Church Leaders and their Congregations?
The media attention given to the problems of mega church leaders simply affirmed the fact that Christians are not immune to life's troubles. Our marriages are not perfect; we do get upset and make horrible mistakes. Those we love pass away. And yes, sometimes our finances come into question. It all boils down to keeping the faith and putting your trust in a higher power. The only one who knows for certain what the future holds for these leaders is God himself.
For whatever hardship that may come our way as Christians, we must remember:
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour islife: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalms 30:5 KJV)
RESOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Falwell#Failing_health_and_death
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Faye_Baker#Death
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Graham#Declining_health_and_death
Published by Lorraine Hayden
I'm a freelance writer, wife and mother. View profile
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9 Comments
Post a Commenti think the money has been dedicated to the lord and like the muslims we will not fight for the lord , the battle is his , let him do discipline them .
When you Tithe is is a commandment not an option, God is well able to judge his Pastors who spend the money on their flesh.
and not on the running of His Church. He does not sleep nor slumber.
But ultimately God is the one that opens the windows of heaven, our reward comes from him.
I can tell you after being a Tither for 20 years God has never let me down. He does rebuke the devourer, he does give us opportunities.
Just keep on Thithing because God said you should, he will honour his word.
The Truths is you cannot afford not to tithe.
I do agree that pastors should conduct themselves in a more modest manner and not live so extravagantly, especially at the expense of their congregation, some of which cannot really afford to tithe what they do now.
That being said, I also don't think pastors should live in poverty, either. They have just as much right to live comfortably and enjoy some degree of prosperity as the next man. God did not intend for us to just "barely get by" but to live in abundance and enjoy life.
Great article, and Happy New Year!!
You got people thinking. Great job!
Lenora Murdock: You said, "Guess I said too much not to have anything to say." I think you said A LOT in a very heartfelt way, and I learned from what you said, and thank you. You said your pastor husband makes "$36,000 -- nothing" .... I hear you, although there are people such as nurse's aides who are equally serving the Lord and might make $12,000 to $15,000, but you are right, if your husband is a full-time pastor then the parishioners, if they can, need to offer more support ..... Then you note, "That isn't to say that there aren't those who are in the ministry who aren't called." Yes. Yes, yes, yes. So many charlatans! To keep this interracial, they come in all colors. Pat Robertson is awful. I'm told Juanita Bynum charged our local church -- not a mega church, but a big one -- $30,000. Your husband one whole year for $36,000, Juanita (I don't think she merits a title) $30,000 for one night. Food (manna) for thought, which Lorraine Hayden always gives to us.
Final, I promise: I remember when a big hurricane, I think it was Andrew, went past Pat's place in the Carolinas, and Pat prayed to thank "God" that the twister missed him and instead messed up everybody who was 50 miles up the coast. I'm sure that's what "God" had in mind. Sorry, just had to add that.
Oops, forgot, if Pat Robertson is for Giulliani then I guess Pat and the 700 Club are suddenly for abortion. ????? -- Mike
Well, guess I'm first. Hello Lorraine. All I can say is, through the years I've known a number of really great pastors of really little local churches. That's where my heart goes. In my ideal world, the televangelists would only be for the homebound. (P.S.: My spouse got a tape of Juanita Bynum in Saginaw post-incident. I couldn't help but overhear because Juanita Bynum seemed to scream from start to finish -- don't some of these folks know how to build to a peak? Did MLK scream all the time? -- But from what I overheard, she was not dwelling on what happened, it was just the usual straight schtick.)