Hard Questions For "Prosperity Gospel"

A Televangelist Lives In The Lap Of Luxury -- But Now He's Under Investigation

(CBS)  Last November, Sen. Charles Grassley launched a public investigation into the ministries of six top televangelists who attract thousands of followers and collect hundreds of millions of dollars around the world. Grassley is demanding financial records to determine whether these churches deserve their tax exempt status. CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian takes a hard look at one target: Kenneth Copeland, the so-called "godfather" of "prosperity gospel."

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"To live in the garden of Eden … hallelujah!" Copeland says. "Somebody shout 'amen!'"

In one TV sermon after another, Kenneth Copeland and wife, Gloria, implore viewers to sow the seeds of their faith by following God's word - and donating dollars, promising a 100-fold return in happiness and wealth, Keteyian reports.

Even the check envelope says "I am sowing $_____ and believing for a hundredfold return."

"It's a business, it's a bottom-line business," said a former ministry employee - who feared being identified. The employee answered hundreds of prayer requests a day, most sent in with donations, before quitting, feeling "betrayed" by Copeland's gospel of prosperity.

"So when he's preachin' health and wealth..." Keteyian asks.

"He's filling that bottom line on his business," the source said.

That's why Senate investigators are digging into whether ministry resources are being diverted into an array of for-profit companies tied to the Copelands: cattle, horses, aviation, real-estate development and gas and oil wells to name a few.

Michael Hoover, who worked for Kenneth Copeland Ministries for five years, quit in 2005 over disagreements with the church. He says he witnessed other employees doing work on behalf of for-profit businesses tied to the Copeland family.

"In my viewpoint, I believe that they were using a lot of the ministry's assets for personal businesses," he said.

"The nonprofit activity and the for-profit activity are so intertwined that you can't, you can't separate them," said Ole Anthony of the Trinity Foundation.

A two-month CBS News investigation, including interviews with nearly a dozen former Copeland employees, raises serious questions about the Copeland's religious empire.

Beginning with a lavish lakefront home, all 18,000 square feet of it, and a fleet of private planes - all paid for by the ministry.

At a celebration, Copeland said: "The Lord spoke to me and said 'you're gonna believe for a Citation 10, right now.'"

Copeland got what he wanted - that's the $20 million jet right there parked at the ministry-owned airport. It's one of four private planes owned by the church.

"It will never ever be used as for anything other than what is becoming of you Lord Jesus," he said.

But that's not what happened.

CBS News has learned he used one ministry jet and another to fly to and from Colorado three times in 2007 - the site of frequent Copeland family vacations. The ministry now claims they reimburse the ministry for personal use of the jets.

Copeland has said: "You are not created for poverty."

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Learn more about Copeland and televangelist funding over at Primary Source.
Read "The Road To Prosperity" by Armen Keteyian

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Churches are not required to file tax forms - or make their finances public. The ministry, which says it does everything by the book, has refused to answer key questions about its finances raised by Senate investigators.

"We answered them - we gave them a several-page lesson on …" Copeland said.

Kenneth Copeland refused repeated interview requests by CBS News.

When Keteyian went to ministry headquarters near Ft. Worth, Texas, we were turned away.

"There's no way I can see him right now?" Keteyian asked a security guard before being turned away.

If Grassley doesn't get the answers he wants, he may well resort to some words of his own - in the form of a Senate subpoena.

[bennyblack1]

And I wonder, how much is the good Senator hiding from the IRS? How much dipping has he done into taxpayers'' money to fund his own estate or pet projects? How much money has he extorted from businesses and people? I''ll bet if there was an audit done on him, that he''s evading the IRS by not reporting income. Don''t think that just because he''s starting the investigation that he isn''t doing those things. Politicians are good at pointing in any direction but themselves.

Has anyone thought about investigating HIM?

[bennyblack1]

Lostoneagain;
Your name shows your lack of knowledge. First of all, people give because they want to. Generally, it is not to get something in return, which inevitably happens. When you give to God, God gives back, "some 30, some 60, and some 100 fold." What people miss in that give back is that it depends on many factors; 1)faith, 2)lifestyle, 3)spiritual warfare, 4)circumstances, 5)your personal spending habits, and 6)if God the Father has you going through a bunch of stuff so that he can teach you things that you need to know so that you can be more effective as a Christian and a minister. So, if you''re an irresponsible fool that won''t take care of your money, refuses to pay bills, lives off of everyone else, takes drugs, and spend whatever money you have on illicit *** and drunken parties, don''t expect a whole lot from God. In fact, don''t expect ANYTHING from God.

[bennyblack1]

Ok, all you crooked folks out there who don''t even know your own nose.

The Lord God WANTS Christians to prosper. Plain and simple. Ministers are under the employ of Jesus Christ, therefore, their salaries are determined by God alone, not some nutcase in Washington DC, or ANY OF YOU, who don''t have the first CLUE about Christianity. You don''t have the first CLUE about the Bible, and probably don''t even know what one looks like. You have no earthly idea how many millions of dollars passes through Kenneth Copeland''s hands to fund several missions abroad, schools, charities, and to pay laborers to accomplish the mission of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

What I have actually seen is people going to an outreach, taking free food provided by the ministry when they didn''t need to. Then, they might pick up a whole wardrobe of clothing...then go sell it for themselves. This is not only stealing, but lying, and profiting on what God charged us to do ... take care of the poor.

If I started an investigation on many of you out there in the secular world, how would YOU fare? How much income are YOU hiding?

So, ya know what? Unless you can show yourselves to be any better than Kenneth Copeland, KEEP YER TRAP SHUT! If you don''t, you may find God himself judging you for all your sins out of season. and YOU DON"T WANT THAT!

[donnafargo]

I have been a partner with Kenneth Copeland Ministries
since the early 1980''s and he nor Gloria have ever
implored people to give.
They do not charge people to go to their conventions.
And yes, the Bible does talk about the 100 fold return.
If people would just read their Bible, they would see
it.
I have met Gloria Copeland, and I can say she is the sweetest, humblest person I have ever met.
Before anybody criticizes the Copelands,
you preach to millions of people, pray for millions
of people and leads millions of people to the Lord Jesus.
People bring up that Kenneth Copeland doesn''t see the
prayer request and read and pray over them himself.
What about Billy Graham? Does he see all prayer requests that come into him and pray over them.
NO.
The ministers have prayer departments that do that.
The ministers prepare sermons and preach.

One man can''t do it all, that''s why he has helpers.
don''t be so close minded when criicizing him.

Do you want someone snooping in on your spending?
do you want someone spying on what you do in your personal time? Lay off the Copelands.
in fact, back off from all the preachers.

[dragonflygirl1961]

I would bet Jesus would be sick. If he really was a man of God, which he is not, then he would not be living like a Sultan.
Instead, that money would be going to help those in need, as Jesus preached.
Copeland is a thief.

[jmg0]

Very, very disappointed in this one-sided and misleading "news report". I agree it seems that 3 or 4 former disgruntled employees out of the hundreds who work and have worked there are supposed to be considered reliable sources. Again, an insult to the intelligence of your viewers. And I agree that CBS should have to answer the question-- I wonder why you couldn''t seem to find a single one of the millions of people who''ve been helped by the Copeland ministry. Or why you failed to report on their many outreaches, such as aid to Hurricane Katrina victims or outreaches to local police offers'' families and prisons. Who cares that this ministry has an airplane -- Did you look into what the Citation aircraft is actually used for?
Again, this poorly written story with an agenda that could not have been more obvious was completely missing the facts, which shows why this news station''s ratings are steadily dropping and will continue to drop. One less viewer right here.

[jmg0]

It is unfortunate Charles Grassley has nothing better to do with his time and the taxpayer''s money, and he deserves to be reprimanded his consituents. He is making a fool of himself and I am embarressed that Iowa is my home state when I hear his name in the news.
A hundred fold return is in the bible, and the fact that CBS does not even point that out shows their ignorance and bias against Christianity. If CBS is going to try to accuse someone and deem them guilty until proven innocent based on supposed theological grounds, then at least do some basic research on the points you make against them.

[jmg0]

This is one of the most biased unprofessional news stories - with an agenda that could not have been any more obvious - I have ever seen, with a completely ridiculous choice of pictures of Kenneth Copeland. When did CBS become a tabloid? The things the "source" said who was afraid to reveal their identity showed their complete ignorance of that ministry. So they are basing the story on interviews with former disgruntled employees? This is an insult to CBS'' viewers'' intelligence and interest. I do not appreciate this type of totally biased and substandard "news coverage", and will no longer be tuning into CBS news.

[jtbslb]

I neither work nor agree with 100% of KCM''s belief, but CBS did not do a fair news piece. KCM and Joyce Meyer Ministries were the only two out of the six that even gave Grassley anything.

People who look to Kenneth Copeland as anything other than a minister of the gospel are the ones in trouble. He is a man, and men sin,they make mistakes. (and not always with an evil intent) I am a partner with his ministry, one because of what the ministry does for the military. CBS never once highlighted the good the Copelands do, because that isn''t newsworthy.

For people who look to ministers for healing well what they get is what they deserve. Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven or for any earthly blessings financial or otherwise. But if you want to walk around and blame ministers for you (general public) being duped well I feel sorry for you. God clearly tells us to work out our own salvation and to be wise.

Oh and yes, a hundred fold return is in the bible. Jesus told us that in the parable of the sower. Mark 4.

Oh and by the way, one reason that churches aren''t taxed is because people mostly give not because they love God, but for the tax break.

[lostoneagain]

Can you honestly sit there and say that promising some old lady a hundred fold and prayer for her ailments not a rip off. Please! The bible doesnt promise a hundred fold and niether should he

[lostoneagain]

This is why they dont want to comply with auditing;

7.5 Incentives and Premiums
Members making fund-raising appeals which, in exchange for a contribution, offer premiums or incentives (the value of which is not insubstantial, but is significant in relation to the amount of the donation) must advise the donor of the fair market value of the premium or incentive and that the value is not deductible for tax purposes.

Is it a wonder? I think not by any standards they are beyond a doubt promising more than is realistic.

[lostoneagain]

This is why they dont want to comply with auditing;

7.5 Incentives and Premiums
Members making fund-raising appeals which, in exchange for a contribution, offer premiums or incentives (the value of which is not insubstantial, but is significant in relation to the amount of the donation) must advise the donor of the fair market value of the premium or incentive and that the value is not deductible for tax purposes.

Is it a wonder? I think not by any standards they are beyond a doubt promising more than is realistic.

[lostoneagain]

This is why they dont want to comply with auditing;
7.2 Communication and Donor Expectations
Fund-raising appeals must not create unrealistic donor expectations of what a donor''s gift will actually accomplish within the limits of the member''s ministry.


7.3 Communication and Donor Intent
All statements made by the member in its fund-raising appeals about the use of the gift must be honored by the member. The donor''s intent is related both to what was communicated in the appeal and to any donor instructions accompanying the gift. The member should be aware that communications made in fund-raising appeals may create a legally binding restriction.

7.4 Projects Unrelated to a Ministry''s Primary Purpose
A member raising or receiving funds for programs that are not part of its present or prospective ministry, but are proper in accordance with its exempt purpose, must either treat them as restricted funds and channel them through an organization that can carry out the donor''s intent or return the funds to the donor.


7.5 Incentives and Premiums
Members making fund-raising appeals which, in exchange for a contribution, offer premiums or incentives (the value of which is not insubstantial, but is significant in relation to the amount of the donation) must advise the donor of the fair market value of the premium or incentive and that the value is not deductible for tax purposes.

Is it a wonder? I think not by any standards they are beyond a doubt promising more than is realistic.

[lostoneagain]

This is why they dont want to comply with auditing;
7.2 Communication and Donor Expectations
Fund-raising appeals must not create unrealistic donor expectations of what a donor''s gift will actually accomplish within the limits of the member''s ministry.


7.3 Communication and Donor Intent
All statements made by the member in its fund-raising appeals about the use of the gift must be honored by the member. The donor''s intent is related both to what was communicated in the appeal and to any donor instructions accompanying the gift. The member should be aware that communications made in fund-raising appeals may create a legally binding restriction.

7.4 Projects Unrelated to a Ministry''s Primary Purpose
A member raising or receiving funds for programs that are not part of its present or prospective ministry, but are proper in accordance with its exempt purpose, must either treat them as restricted funds and channel them through an organization that can carry out the donor''s intent or return the funds to the donor.


7.5 Incentives and Premiums
Members making fund-raising appeals which, in exchange for a contribution, offer premiums or incentives (the value of which is not insubstantial, but is significant in relation to the amount of the donation) must advise the donor of the fair market value of the premium or incentive and that the value is not deductible for tax purposes.

Is it a wonder? I think not by any standards they are beyond a doubt promising more than is realistic.

[kane497]

The question is not whether or not these %u201Cpublic ministries%u201D do good, the question here is a legal one. Are they labeling themselves non-profit and actually profiting. And the answer in most instances is yes, they are.
They are fleecing the flock and are the same as the Pharisees whom Jesus Christ rebuked. So, I for one (who by the way is not against religion) will be standing on the sidelines clapping once justice is conducted and served.

[adylan77]

I worked for KCM for 3 years and from my perspective the report was an accurate and fair evaluation of the ministry agenda. Though Brother Copeland declined to be interviewed, they did let him speak for himself and his own quotes... that really says it all, doesn''t it? So, THANK YOU, CBS, for this piece!

[sabeck1]

I want to thank CBS from the bottem of my heart. Kenneth Copeland ministry who is connected with RHEMA has been very distructive in my life. I was a missionary in Russia for 10 years supported by this group. My ex-husband left me for our Russian nanny with this ministry''s help and blessing. I have not had my children together in five years. I have begged them to let me see my 3 older children but they do not care. My 5 younger children live here with me in the U.S. I hate this group and what they have done to me. I am so grateful that finally there are people that are asking the questions I have asked for years. I have a story to tell. I just want to see my children. My younger children hate these charasmatic groups because they have exploited, used and destroyed our family all for the sake of money. They just want to see their brother and sisters again. Thank you for exposing the poisen this group truely is. It is a CULT! Keep up the good work!

[dalako]

As someone that has worked for different churches, I am so glad that someone is finally looking into the Faith movement churches! It is obvious that they are getting everything that they want and more. I am interested to see how many people in the congregation, that have a need, are going with out because the church isn''t helping them. I have seen church turn away people simply because "They aren''t a member of our Church" or "They don''t tithe, so why should we help them"... and more. I believe all church finacial records should be public, otherwise there is no accountability there.

[ioweign]

All religions should be taxed as a business.

If you say "But religion is non-profit" - hey aren''t we all !!

[lamars2008]

I''m very disappointed in this one-sided, misleading "report." It seems that 3 or 4 people (all former employees?) of the Copeland ministry are making accusations of unethical or unlawful use of funds and resources. (By the way, I wonder why their are so few accusers, since a ministry of that size employs hundreds of people at a time?)
Moreover, most of the accusations are very vague. And why doesn''t the main accuser reveal her identity? In addition, the way she spoke about the "prosperity gospel" revealed that she had not really been listening to the message that Kenneth and Gloria Copeland preach. So is she a reliable source of information?
I wonder why you couldn''t find one of the millions of people who''ve been helped by the Copeland ministry. Or why you failed to report on their many outreaches, such as aid to Hurricane Katrina victims or outreaches to prisons (which, by the way, have transformed entire prison systems and saved state governments millions of dollars). Did you look into what the Citation aircraft is actually used for?
Again, I''m very disappointed. And I, for one, will no longer be tuning in to the CBS news.