Creflo is a Cowboy

Love him or hate him, you've got to appreciate his bold, charismatic style. In "Dirty Harry" Callahan form, Creflo Dollar sent a statement to Senator Grassley essentially saying, "Go ahead, make my day!" He along with five of the other ministries under investigation have refused to comply to sending in information. These ministers site that they are all in compliance with the standards in the United States for a 501(c)3 organization and need not be bothered with cooperating. They all agree that this is bigger than the investigation of funds, but rather is an "attack". They are citing non-compliance based on First Amendment grounds.

On December 5, an attorney for Creflo Dollar sent a statement to Grassley that stated to "either refer the matter to the IRS or get a subpoena." Dollar has expressed in earlier interviews that he did not understand why Senator Grassley needed the information from the church when the IRS already possessed it. Which I must again admit, I personally agree with Dollar on this point. These churches have been accused of using their tax exempt status to enrich themselves but many of them are audited several times a year by both the IRS and independent agencies. This begs the question: "why is the senator focusing on them?" Does the Senator believe that the IRS is not doing its job or does he have a personal problem with the doctrine that these ministers teach?

1.I think that people's general disagreement with the "prosperity gospel" has blinded them into a state of ignorance and lack of common sense. If you could think about it rationally, you would be able to see how it's possible for these people to be rich without stealing money from the church. Let's take Joel Osteen, who was under attack recently for his wealthy status. Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, has two New York Times best selling books. They get paid from these books. All of the megachurch ministers under investigation have books. One can do quite well financially with intellectual property.

2. Addtionally, many of these ministers have other personal businesses. That should not surprise anybody. If you have ever been at least a manager in your life you recognize how difficult a job that it. These men and women truly must have great business sense to run organization so large, some with up to 400 employees on different continents. There are a lot of people who can't even manage their own home, let alone an organization that size. So I figure they are just as good at running their personal businesses successfully.

3.Since most people enjoy attacking Creflo Dollar, I'll use him as an example. Creflo Dollar does not take a salary from his church like other ministers do, (and have a right to do I might add.) In fact, most preachers (megachurches and not so mega) will tell you that when the budget is not being met, the bills are paid out of their personal bank accounts.

4. As a rich man myself, I understand these ministers frustration with having their personal business out in the street. Creflo Dollar appeared on Larry King Live last week and said that his personal money and that of the organization never mix. That is all people who do not send money into the ministries need to know. It is none of anyone's business how I get my money or how I spend it. These people have been under attack for years and no one has been able to prove anything except for not agreeing with their theology.

5. I read an article by someone who said, they don't like how these ministers are taking advantage of poor people. The people who have said this have actually never been to or spoken to anyone at these churches or seen the parking lots. These people are not poor and ignorant. I have talked to some and gotten their rags to abundance stories. Did it ever occur to anybody that maybe what these ministers are talking about may just be true? And that instead of stealing they are actually literally "practicing what they preach?"

6. I read another article that said that these ministers should give away all they have and help the poor. My answer to that is, "have you given away all that you have to help the poor?"

7. I read another aritcle that said, "what does a minister need with a Rolls-Royce" My answer. He doesn't need a Rolls Royce, but if he wants one, why not? You can't show me in the Bible where it condemns living well. And people are upset that the church bought the car, but I remember all my life in church for "Pastor's Appreciation" days or anniversaries, that everyone chipped in and we got the pastor a gift. Well, a church the size of 250,000 all giving about $10 each can get a Rolls Royce. It's that simple. Not to compare these minsters to Jesus, but in the Bible a woman came to Jesus and poor some expensive perfume on Jesus feet that the Bible said cost a whole year's wages. When Judas got mad and said, "she could have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor," Jesus reprimanded him and said, "The poor you will have with you always."

8. A report showed that World Changers Church took in $69 million last year. But being a business owner, I understand that the light bill, gas, water, etc. bills have to get paid, and salaries too. Going on the church website it shows over 60 outreaches, all which take money. In addition, I am aware of the cost to broadcast a show on television, the cost could be in the millions yearly. I doubt there is any room to steal.

Again I will say now like I said before. I support these ministers. I personally feel like they are doing nothing wrong. Anyone who is that serious about being upset on whether or not they are helping people should look for people that they are helping and hear it from them. Chances are they are helping more people than you. I have grown bored of this conversation...