Hinn and Meyer are instituting their own reforms in response to the Senate finance investigation.
Ministries headed by evangelists Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn are both changing the way they operate even as a Senate probe into alleged lavish spending by six prominent ministries continues, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Monday, July 7.
"Both Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn have indicated that they are instituting reforms without waiting for the committee to complete its review," said Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, in an update on the investigation he began last year.
"Self-reform can be faster and more effective than government regulation."
Roby Walker, a spokesman for Joyce Meyer Ministries in Fenton, Mo., confirmed that changes are being made but could not release details on Tuesday.
Don Price, a spokesman for Benny Hinn Ministries in Grapevine, Texas, also declined to comment in detail but said "reforms and improved governance practices" were being shared with Grassley's office.
Grassley's update noted instances of "whistleblower intimidation" where former employees "have received phone calls reminding them of their confidentiality agreements and threatening lawsuits if the agreements are breached."
Jill Gerber, a spokeswoman for the committee, would not disclose which ministries were involved in such calls, and declined to elaborate on the changes planned at Hinn's and Meyer's ministries.
Grassley's update described the responses from Hinn and Meyer as "in good faith and substantively informative," but said the others are "incomplete" or "not responsive."
Broadcaster Kenneth Copeland has reportedly said his Texas-based ministry will not respond even if a subpoena is issued. Grassley's memo said staffers are "consulting with Senate attorneys about next steps."
In other cases, staffers continue to contact ministry lawyers and officials in hopes of further cooperation.
"Sen. Grassley still very much wants to avoid subpoenas and hopes that those ministries will agree that subpoenas would be an unnecessary step," Gerber said.
The other ministries under investigation are: Bishop Eddie Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga.; Creflo Dollar Ministries in College Park, Ga., and Randy and Paula White, who co-pastored Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Fla.
Posted by Susan Wunderink on July 8, 2008 3:39PM
Comments
No doubt there are good points to be made here, but I wonder if Senator Grassley has ever questioned the opulence of a gaggle of Freemasonic temples, an organization to which he proudly belongs. It seems to me that Joyce Meyer, even with her ostentatious clock, is closer to biblical Christianity than they.
Maybe she wouldn't have to reform if she knew the distress sign or ended her program with, "Is there no help for the televangelist's son?"
Posted by: Paul at July 8, 2008
I think that Copeland has some good ground to stand on here. The possible implications for the future are something to be feared if Grassley is given power to access such information. He is walking a fine line and pushing the limits between church and state. Hopefully the right decision will be made.
Posted by: sly at July 8, 2008
Grassley could have avoided much of this drama had he sought the help of the IRS from the beginning. He is walking a fine line, and I hope that unnecessary precedents do not come out of this situation. The results of this investigation could and will affect the future of all of our rights. Copeland does have some ground to stand on here.
Posted by: Silver Lining at July 9, 2008
It's good to see that the ministries that have cooperated are working with a clean bill. Copeland should fight this though. The outcome will affect all of us and the future of our rights.
Posted by: summer days at July 9, 2008
It's my understanding that the process Kenneth Copeland suggested would get the information Sen. Grassley wants, but allow the church to keep the information private. In a letter to the Senator, the church's lawyer cites an Internal Revenue Code section that would allow the information to be acquired by the IRS, and for the Senator's committee to see the information behind closed doors for purposes of setting tax policy. If that's not sufficient, then the Senator has an agenda other than the one he's giving publicly.
Posted by: Bob at July 9, 2008
TV Evangelest's should be held Financially accountable. At a time when they are asking Poor People to give beyond thier means.
For the good for all Christians hold TV evangelist's accountable.
The Gospel of Christ is all about Truth and integrity.
The prosperity Preachers espesially, should handle finances above reproach.
Posted by: Frank at July 9, 2008
Copeland, Hinn, Dollar et.al are the "money changers" of our day and those Peter referred to prophetically as "those who would make merchandise out of us". What is most troubling is that it is the govenment that has to do the work of the Church. It speaks sadly to the condition of an indifferent and incompetent body of believers.
Had we been doing what we are mandated to do which is to preach the gospel and disciple the beleiver the aforementioned would have been run out of buisness years ago. Instead they have flaunted their wealth so blatently and arrogantly that even the government had to take notice while the Church slumbers.
Posted by: Kip Brown at July 10, 2008
If a TV evangelist or any other pastor is not willing to have their finances made public, then the con-artist (TV Evangelist) should be kicked out of their church or ministry. I can't believe that people are so stupid to be willing to give someone money and not know where it is going.
>
Justice4all
Posted by: justice4all at July 13, 2008
If a TV evangelist or any other pastor is not willing to have their finances made public, then the con-artist (TV Evangelist) should be kicked out of their church or ministry. I can't believe that people are so stupid to be willing to give someone money and not know where it is going.
>
Justice4all
Posted by: justice4all at July 13, 2008
This was an interesting article.Ask God about how many christian millionaires he knows. Look at how many holy christian businesses are in town. Notice cable tv ministers always asking for money. How many own a simple corp or business to make money? My family were targetd by rapist and murderers in the USA. Their ages were in their low teens. I have been killed and had concussions several times in my life. God has kept me alive. I am unable to see my kids. Too poor to go to school. Why is God not working or being defeated then also be ok with miss whats her name havin sex with the devil. Remember 90% persons are lost and or evil It is year 2008. Jon Hagee has been almost murdered by persons for talking about God. And probably evently modern Jentzen Franklin.How come I sit alone over 4,600 days and the majority party in college then in bars or in modernized protestant churches. Ask me how many mental scars I have? = to what? USA gov are crooked or GOD is a jerk. I dislike God over these issues. Remember me because have troubles. Go sexual sanctified christians! Pslams99:9- hillpray! Gal 3:2!
Posted by: andrew tucker at July 14, 2008
People with questionable theology have questionable financial dealings. Could there be a connection? Think.
Posted by: Billy Reed at July 15, 2008
It is Kenneth Copeland and others like him who are pusing the limits of Church and State. If there is no wrong doing, open the books and prove innocense. America allows churches to be tax exempt. It is only fair to all tax payers that the government makes sure the church is doing everying strictly within the law. Businesses have to abide by the tax laws and they are audited. Ordinary citizens must pay taxes or they are fined or jailed. Every TV evangelist/Church should have no reason to hesitate when making their filnances known- unless of course they have something to hide. Everyone making a donation to any organization (church or other charity) has the right to see a financial statement, and it is wise to request one before investing any money in an organization. It is very sad when TV Evangelists are living in gated communities and driving a mercedies benz and flying around in private jets when the money to pay for all this extravagance was taken from a poor soul with the promise that if they plant a money seed in their ministry, prayers will be answered. This is taking advantage of the most volnerable and sick among us. Jesus never asked for a money seed before he would heal. These evangelists twist the scripture and it has gotten way out of hand. Praise be to Senator Grassley. If a supoena is necessary, go for it and if the supoena is ignored then the someone should be held in contempt. Copeland and all others who think they can flaunt the law need to know that no one is above the law. Either we are a country of laws or we are not.
Posted by: ruth thiele at August 1, 2008
Grassley has mishandled this from day one. He has yet to admit that nor will he more than likely. The last few weeks have brought a new smear campaign from Grassley's camp on Copeland. It seems that the nepotism angled attack is yet another attempt to smear his name from the GRassley side. I think it's yet another example showing that Grassley has nothing concrete to push this "investigation" any further. Copeland's going to fight to the end and his support continues to grow.
Posted by: michele at August 18, 2008
Jesus mainly ministered to people that could give him nothing. He kicked those out of the temple that were allowed in by the priests because they had money and then brought in people(lame, blind, poor,) that could give nothing and he ministered to them.
Jesus was moved with compasion for a leper and healed him. The leper could not give Jesus anything. Jesus gave miracles to many who could give nothing in return but there own greatfulness.
Posted by: Bill at September 9, 2008
Post a comment