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    Senate:  No penalties for high-flying preachers

    Senate:  No penalties for high-flying preachers

    Senator Chuck Grassley's efforts to hold a group of televangelists accountable has decided that there would be no penalties for the group of preachers, saying that they were unable to make any conclusions about whether the ministries violated IRS rules.

    Two of the ministries involved in the probe, Joyce Meyer Ministries and Benny Hinn Ministries say that they have made changes in their ministries because of the probe.  Four others did not provide full information or cooperate fully.  Those included Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Creflo and Taffi Dollar, Randy and Paula White; and Bishop Eddie Long.

    In the end, a long and expensive investigation that yielded little to no results.  Go figure.

    This is a slippery slope, I know.

    How much should a pastor be paid?

    Should it be based on hours?  On results?  On offerings?  On attendance?

    Should there be a cap on salary?  On benefits?

    Should they live in a mansion?  Is that ok?

    It seems that the prosperity gospel does work... just only for the elite few that lead them.

    Stardom brings rewards.  But how should they be used?

    My question this morning:  Is it possible to lead a huge, huge ministry without letting it go to your head and your pocketbook?  I think it is; but VERY FEW people are able to pull that off.  Very few.

    At what point does excessive compensation and perks become sinful?  Is there a point for that?

    What do YOU think?

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    Comments

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    1. John Burton on Mon, January 10, 2011

      Sure, there is a higher standard… but, I don’t see wealth entering into that… we see specific issues that elders and such must excel in… but having wealth isn’t one of those addressed.

      It feels a bit ‘invented’... people don’t like others who are prosperous, or are upset that some televangelists ask for money… and then transfer that feeling to all pastors… and somehow think that they must turn away money for them to be approved for ministry.

      What if a pastor in a poor church in the country received a multi-million dollar inheritance? Can he not spend the money? What if he gives 20% away… and uses the rest to invest… to make more money… and then gives away 30%... but still is able to spend millions a year?

      An awesome Believer at the church I was at in Texas owned a HUGE company… he was either an elder or a board member… can’t remember… his wife had a $10,000 a week ‘allowance’... but they gave soooo much away.

    2. Rev R Barlow on Mon, January 10, 2011

      I believe it was Jimmy Baker who said that once you get recognition for tv etc, you think you are a star….
      And every ‘star’ I have heard of has lots of money.  But be afraid, be very afraid, falls come.

    3. Peter Hamm on Mon, January 10, 2011

      John,

      I didn’t say anything about wealth. I’m talking about ridiculous conspicuous, blatant opulence. Frankly, although I’m enjoying the exchange, your exceptions seem more like a smoke screen than sound reasoning.

      [people don�t like others who are prosperous,...]

      Well, I know a handful of very rich folk. They are very generous, and they don’t drive bentleys.

      [...or are upset that some televangelists ask for money� and then transfer that feeling to all pastors� and somehow think that they must turn away money for them to be approved for ministry.]

      I wonder if those tele-evangelists didn’t live in such ridiculous opulence, there might be less of an issue…

    4. John Burton on Mon, January 10, 2011

      Opulence is so subjective… I just don’t think it’s easy to expect everybody to fit within the boundaries we set up for them.

      For some, driving a $20,000 car is excessive. Since there isn’t an arbitrator to set the guidelines, I don’t think it’s healthy to have a stern stance on this topic… or, at least, to expect others to comply with our stance.

    5. Peter Hamm on Mon, January 10, 2011

      Not all opulence is subjective. Some is. Some is so painfully obvious except to those who seem to worship wealth and comfort.

      We are to avoid the appearance of evil. Extreme opulence appears to too many people to be evil, we should avoid it as ministry professionals.

      It is, indeed, a heart issue. I confess doubts, serious ones, about the hearts of those who I’m alluding to.

      God does not want you rich. He wants you rich in His Spirit.

    6. John Burton on Mon, January 10, 2011

      I understand having opinions on matters, but I often wonder why the way other people live their lives is so important to us. Why do people allow themselves to get upset when Ted Haggard steps into ministry again or when a pastor drives and Bentley. Why does the life of a stranger impact us? Why do some get angry?

    7. Peter Hamm on Mon, January 10, 2011

      John.

      I’m not angry.

    8. John Burton on Mon, January 10, 2011

      No, not saying you are… just in general, why do so many have strong opinions about other people’s affairs.

    9. Peter Hamm on Mon, January 10, 2011

      John,

      Because prominent Christian leaders’ affairs affect us all in a very great and often grave way. That’s why.

      If you didn’t care about them, as a matter of fact, you wouldn’t be posting here, would you.

    10. John Burton on Mon, January 10, 2011

      I honestly can’t see how a pastor owning a Bentley would affect anyone negatively. I’m simply trying to defend from unmerited attack.

    11. Peter Hamm on Mon, January 10, 2011

      John,

      I think I said it, but here it is again. Conspicuous opulence (such as owning a Bentley, or a 5 million dollar home in an area where the average home is 500,000) looks, to much of the world, especially those with a heart for the poor, like evil.

      We are to avoid every appearance of evil.

      It stands to reason that a Christian leader or pastor should avoid driving a Bentley or owning the 5 million dollar mansion.

      I believe an “attack” on a pastor who practices such conspicuous opulence is far from unmerited. On the contrary.

      You disagree, but I’m also guessing, to be honest, based on your posts here at least, that you are probably more friendly to “Prosperity Theology” than I am, as well. That might be why you don’t really see my argument as valid.

    12. John Burton on Mon, January 10, 2011

      Well, I’m not a full blown prosperity guy… but, I do believe that if we give we’ll receive back… and if we develop a life like that, the return will be overwhelming.

      People may give Bently’s and homes and airplanes to pastors… stuff like that can happen.

      A friend of mine was given a beautiful home on a lake. So, while it may look like the pastor is greedy, he may just be blessed.

    13. Pastor/Evangelist Mark A Jones on Tue, January 11, 2011

      John, I too have known ministers who were blessed like you said. One pastor I knew personally, was audited by the IRS for ‘giving’ more than he ‘made’ in a year’s time.  (And yes, he was a very honest man.  He even tithed off food, chickens, and anything someone gave him he figured the value of it to return to the Lord.)

    14. John Burton on Tue, January 11, 2011

      I just wonder why people automatically presume greed instead of blessing is in the mix.

      I think it would be more concerning if we didn’t see a pattern of blessing in a leader’s life. Not extravagance, but blessing… blessing is one mark of obedience… of giving… if our leaders aren’t people of favor and blessing, do we really want to follow them?

    15. Peter Hamm on Tue, January 11, 2011

      John,

      I don’t think you’re actually listening to what I’m saying. I’m talking about gross conspicuous opulence, not blessing… not even wealth…

      A minister of the Gospel who drives a Bentley or who lives in a mansion or owns multiple homes does not look good to the world. It should be a concern to him. If it is not, there is a problem, and he’s set up a roadblock to the Gospel.

      In our world, extreme wealth does not look noble, and in fact, is often associated by the general public with some very unsavory things. So, when they see someone who says they are a minister or a pastor indulging in things like Bentleys or multi-million-dollar homes, it doesn’t look good to them.

      And, to be honest, I continue to wonder why people automatically presume blessing that demonstrates God’s presence in your life is material.

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