Televangelist Defends Spending

(CBS/AP)  Congress is looking into the collection boxes of some of the nation's best-known televangelists.

Their tax-exempt ministries take in millions and now Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is asking whether these churches really are non-profits.

Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar is one of the televangelists who was asked to provide financial information.

"We don't have any problems complying to a valid request," Dollar told CBS News' The Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen.

But he questioned whether it was appropriate for the Senate Finance Committee "to become a tax examiner and to get involved in the information of private, nonprofit organizations when the IRS has already been assigned that responsibility."

Asked about some specific assertions by Grassley, Dollar denied that two Rolls-Royces were purchased by the church for him and his wife.

"That's not true. First of all, we don't have two Rolls-Royces," he said. "And secondly, the one Rolls-Royce that was purchased was purchased by the donors, or the members of the church, and it was a surprise to me. I had no idea they were doing it."

Dollar also responded to claims that he tried to raise $1 million from other ministries to give to fellow evangelists Kenneth and Gloria Copeland to celebrate their anniversary, and that his ministry gave over half a million dollars.

"Also not true," Dollar said. "We didn't give Kenneth $500,000, and we didn't take it from our church. We sent letters to different ministers around the country inviting them to share in honoring Kenneth Copeland's 40th anniversary. It's an opportunity for people to do what they believe, and unless we completely got rid of the First Amendment, that's our opportunity to believe that we can sow into a man of God's life, be a blessing to him and celebrate his 40 years of service in the ministry."

Asked whether there are televangelists who abuse the faith of believers and misuse church funds, Dollar said, "There are some bad apples out there. But we've got to make sure that in our fear to try to locate those bad apples that we don't put everybody in that same bucket and automatically assume because of that fear that everybody is the same."

Others under scrutiny include Copeland, faith healer Benny Hinn and one of the nation's best known female preachers, Joyce Meyer.

Grassley sent letters to a half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by Dec. 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.

In a statement, Grassley said he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations.

"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," Grassley said.

"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."

Those ministries that responded Tuesday either said they were cooperating or committed to financial transparency and following the law.

The investigation promises to shine new light on the kind of TV ministries that were crippled by sex and money scandals in the 1980s. Experts also say it stands out as an unusual case of the government probing the inner workings of religious organizations.

Most of those under investigation preach a variation of the "prosperity gospel," the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches.

[maryrellim]

i DO NOT KNOW THE PRESENTER OR THE STATION -BUT WHAT QUESTIONS, EXCESSIVE- I WAS IN CHURCH ONE EVENING AND A VISITING MINISTER GAVE ME A ENVELOP STUFFED WITH MONEY (NEVER SEEN THE MAN IN MY CHURCH BEFORE) BUT THE DAY BEFORE I ASKED GOD TO BUY ME TWO BIBLES FOR MY SON AND SELF. YES IT WAS ONLY £50 PUT I NEEDED IT AS I SENT MY WEEKLY SHOPPING MONEY THE DAY BEFORE ON TWO BIBLES. nOT EXCESSIVE TO A CHRISTIAN- GOD CAN GIVE U A HOUSE- I WAS GIVEN TWO. aS FOR DONATING MONEY TO 'KENETH COP LAND' WAS IT- MY CHURCH REGULARLY ASK FOR DONATIONS ON TOP OF TIDING FOR PARTIES FOR THE CHILDREN- SPREADS FOR ALPHA COURSE-NEW SOULS COMING INTO THE CHURCH. aND GUESS WHAT PEOPLE LEAVING- WE COLLECT FOR THEM TOO- SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS ECT, ECT, ECT, WE ASLO DO THIS IN THE SECULAR WORLD WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE A JOB- COLLECTIONS FOR CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES ECT- GIVE WHO EVER, WHAT EVER YOU WANT MR CREFLO. i DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ARE BEING JUDGE FOR IT- BY TV- ARE THEY CHRISTAINS, DO THEY UNDERSTAND JESUS/ THE WORKS OF JESUS-? JESUS MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS

[maryrellim]

Is this not a matter for the tax department which seems to have no problem with the account of world change ministries. Jesus Christ traveled from place to place- on a donkey-why didn't he walk because it would have took so long. Jesus drew hugh crouds spreading gods word. Many preachers and christians do this spread gods word to the public in shopping centres, churches ect- they need to be fed and housed. My local chrch is haome to 50 people- creflos has built up to thousands equallying more tides. If his church committee bought a plane with 50 members i could see why people would think all the money has gone on the plane. Creflos church- also know as gods house should be lavis- (gods house should be lavis) with thousands of members- if jesus could have flown round the world spreading the good news he would have- his only opton a donkey. If creflos- church committee members deem a jet cost effient ( creflo does preach around the world) the SO WHAT. its the most effent way. If bill gates a nd his share holder think a jet is appropriate SO WHAT- ITS JUST A JET. cREFLO IS GOING TO WASTE TIME IN AIRPORT HE COULD SAVE LIVES.


jOYCE mYRES SAVED MY LIFE- I DIDN'T TELL HER THAT I WAS NEAR BREAKING POINT- BIG TIME BUT I WROTE TO HER TO ASK FOR PRAY SUPPORT ECT- SCRIPTURES AND FREE BOOKS FLOODDED IN THROUGH ME DOOR- VIA EMAIL- DARKNESS TURNED TO LIGHT THE VERY NEXT DAY- TV EVANGLISTS TOUCH AND CHANGE LIVES AS MUCH AS YOUR LOCAL PASTER. THUS IS WERE THE MONEY GOES PRAISE GOD- AND PRAISE THESE PEOPLE. HALLOYA. tHEY ARE RICH, THEY ARE BLESSED- I DO NOT PREACH- INFACT I WAS UNEMPLOYED(14 YEARS AGO) GOD BLESSED ME TILL MY CUP OVER FLOWED- ( I WANTED PROSPERTY- DID NOTHING TO GET IT- JUST LOVED GOD) TWO HOUSES- HUSBAND-JOB-NEW LIFE ECT, WITHIN 12MONTHS ECT IT FLOWED. CREFLO IS A SERVANT OF GOD-HIS BLESSING MUST COME LIKE A RIVER- dO YOU BELIEVE IN GODS POWER AND GLORY- OR DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE MEDIA HYPE. eNOUGH SAID.

[acdonaldson-2009]

I just hope that with the same boldness the senate and media have when it comes to the accusations they will have with the outcome. Especially if the accusations are proven to be false. Is there abuse of funds by some churches/tele-evangelists - unfortunately yes. And they will answer for that before the Lord. But not all are corrupt and have the wrong motives.

[glh13]

James 1:23, New International Version

"Religion that God accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

TV preacher Pastor John Hagee is one of the worst (San Antonio''s Cornerstone Church). He publicaly documented his pay from his ministry at over $1 million per year. Now he hides his finances under his church, rather than report them as a seperate 501c3 for GETV. His family gets to determine his pay, since his Board of Directors was family-dominated (3 of 4 members are family). More info here:
http://open-letter-for-pastor-hagee.org/

[faith1986]

Instead of Senator Grassley investigating how the churches are spending their tithes and offerings, he should take the time to investigate how the government is wasting the taxpayer money on war and political corruptions. Who can the people of faith call upon when they are sick or need counseling? Definitely not the government but their pastors who are there for them, to teach and encourage them with the Word of God. I do not need the government to tell me how to spend my money or who to give it to. They took theirs before I even get my paycheck so whether I give it to the church is my business and not the government. We see these churches on TV or listen to them on the radio, I am sure it cost them to be there on a daily basis to encourage people to change their lifestyle and to be better human beings. I am quite sure that these churches get audited on a yearly basis by the IRS. Senator Grassley, please put your effort in solving the Iraqi war so that our soldiers can come home to their family and friends.

[jshephard2]

I really don''t understand why people waste their time, especially Grassley, to try to screen the televangelists so bad. Simple as this: the smaller the church/people, the smaller the assets, the less the money, the smaller the house and the cheaper the car. The bigger the church/people, the bigger the assets, the more the money, the bigger the house and the more expensive the car. It''s all about proportion. Some people just love to screen because they actually have nothing else to do. These televangelists are paid according to their CREDIBILITY, just like any other secular (or Christian) speaker around the world. Has Grassley tried to screen the other secular people that may not only have non-profit organizations, but for-profit organizations? Think about it. All of the rappers are raking in millions of dollars from the sales of CDs from poor people that want to get a $13 CD so bad, but no one sees anyone bothering the rappers: "Why are you making all this money and we have poor kids?" Nobody''ll say that to the rappers, but they''ll get hot-headed over Tv pastors. I just don''t understand...

[feathered1]

When Mary spends her money in Alpha-Mart, does she later demand an accounting of where the clerk who served Mary spent her money? Who did Mary actually give the money to when the clerk took it? Keep in mind that Mary was not under gun threat to shop at Alpha-Mart in the first place. Taxes are mandatory, giving is not. Regardless of who the clerk is (neighborhood Pastor Charlie, Dr. Creflo Dollar, the Food Bank Volunteer or Joyce Meyer, etc.), any money collected is (in all actuality) given & belongs to God, THE OWNER, not the employee. Any one know what kind of sink Oprah or Bill Gates have and how much they spent for it? Did a poor person pay for it? Mary spent her last dollar for a loaf of bread so that the owner of Alpha-Mart could have leather seats. Is that right? Mary was hungry and she gladly paid the price.

[mzrida]

Ghandi, I am so sorry that you feel that way. Some who profess to be Christians treat other Christians badly, too. If it weren''t for the Lord and the love He put in my heart for others, I wouldn''t like Christians either! I apologize to you for our misrepresentation of Jesus. However, please know that He loves you with an undying love and wants you to love Him back!

[mzrida]

Jiminoregon, It sounds like you have responded to my comment. You are right! God is for everyone! That is why he sent His only Son to die on the cross for all of our sins. I won''t be surprised of who will be in Heaven, except for myself! I don''t have a Heaven to put you in or one to keep you out of. No Christian should tell anyone that God is only for them. I stood in the judgement of God at one point. But I believe that His Word is true, and He saved me and He can save you, too. He is not a respecter of persons. He has given EVERY man (and woman) a measure of faith. Don''t take my word for it. Ask Him to show you.