“Evidently, he’s a huge flight risk.” LOL!

I wonder what these guys would do if they were like some of us--our salary is printed on the monthly finance report, distributed to whoever, and they’re all free to discuss whether we’re worth it or not each Sunday afternoon.

Casey, good point.

I hope the point is not the aircraft, but is rather that someone who works for a non-profit is not supposed to (by law, I believe) be compensated with an unusually lavish lifestyle. (I know, how do you measure that… but bear with me...)

I’m not jealous of Kenneth Copeland, btw. I think he might be envious of me if he knew how great my church is and how much I love working here… but that’s a topic for another day…

i like mark 11:25-26 also, when you stand praying, judge, opps i mean forgive, ken is the servent of god,we’re not to judge him but to pray for him,

Thanks for the comments.

Are we certain there is violation here? I have not followed this closely since my subscription to TBN ran out (lol).

As Todd illuminates, the plane in question was donated. Does Ken get to ride it if he makes $100K? What about 99,999K?

I think what we are seeing is that the IRS will eventually decide what tax exempt ministries are allowed to compensate their ministers. Maybe that is a good thing....? Hmmmm.

What if Kenny boy (since we’re picking on him) has a stable of wealthy benefactors who just flat out give him planes, boats and automobiles? Then the IRS will need to measure ministers by their net worth. The plane in question will then disqualify him from tax exemption, no?

Like I said, not a fan of the health and wealth gospel (unless it is coming my way of course - kidding) I am just saying we need to be careful of who we criticize lest we find ourselves conquered by our own division at the hands of our own government.

Yes, the legal question is separate from the “religious” one. I don’t stand convinced that this individual is a minister of the Gospel, either, as I’m guessing CS feels. (I’m probably in complete agreement with you, CS, about Ken.)

Casey, your point is really good, though. It reminds me of when RW defended the housing allowance a few years ago. Does Warren need to be tax-exempt for that? Maybe not. But some of us who move from the private sector to the ministry and take a big pay cut to do it find ourselves kinda relying on that incentive so that we can serve the way we do.

Slippery slope.

Lulu:

Here’s the short list:

-His Word of Faith movement is unbiblical.  The notion that you can create things and cause God to alter things all the time based on words cannot be found in proper biblical understanding.

-He believes that we are gods equal to the level of God.  He has said, “You don’t have a god in you, you are one.” This is the same lie from the Garden of Eden.

-He has made failed prophecies, including saying that the President elected in 1996 would totally follow after God.  And then Monica Lewinsky entered into the scene…

-And, he keeps binding Satan, but that old devil keeps getting loose.  What’s up with that?

I think these are enough to mark him publicly and declare that he is a false teacher.

--
CS

CS,

Much as I agree with your assessment, I don’t think this is the place for the theological discussion of these guys. Don’tcha think?

Many today are in favor of preachers owning airplanes, whom also are in favor of the money commeth gospel… which another, gospel according to Paul… I’m saddened that many are justifying this method of ministry… far too many preachers are filling their pockets and lavish lifestyles at the expense of the poor who’s preyed on… like the prophet Isaiah stated, many are taking advantage under the umbrella of Christianity… there’s absolutely no way to justify preachers having airplanes… I like what bishopdave said, “The pastors salary should be seen on the monthly statement”

If you want to have a multi-million dollar ministry, then by all means do it… but don’t take advantage of the government hiding under non-profit… that is a form of stealing… not wanting to pay the government what’s due to them… Jesus told the disciples to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar and unto God the things that are God’s… it’s not the point of being controlled by the government… it’s the point of gaining financially off the government under the umbrella of Christ… the government isn’t trying to control the church and what salary the pastor should be getting… but having airplanes along with lavish cars and homes for the sake of making business meetings is just plan sad…

Church we must wake up and we must stand up for the true Gospel of Christ… Jesus nor the apostles never traveled in expensive things… but looked and traveled around like the average person… that is why Paul never accepted money from the Church of Corinth… In Ephesus Paul ministered for two years (Acts 19) supporting himself by the work of his hands (Acts 20:13-38) in order to “help the weak” (Acts 20:35). Paul concluded that it is more “blessed to give [ministry free of charge] than to receive [the gifts of people]” (Acts 20:35). In Thessalonica he also toiled day and night so as not to be a burden (1 Thes. 2:9) and as a model to those with poor attitudes toward work (2 Thes. 3:8-10).

The financial support of missionaries and people in professional Christian service has significant theological and spiritual implications. From the point of view of not-yet Christians, raising money to support Christian workers-sometimes in extravagant lifestyles-smacks of religious hucksterism and may “hinder the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:12). Some of those required by nondenominational agencies to raise their own support feel they are forced to “sell themselves.” On the other hand, Scripture solidly endorses the financial support of some Christian workers to fulfill their particular form of ministry. The manner in which this is done can be either up building or destructive for the person supported the people whose support is enlisted and the watching world.

I’m in support of pastors being taken care of…for the workman is worthy of his hire… what I’m against is multi-million dollar preachers taking advantage of the Gospel… Paul told Timothy that a bishop must not be money hungry… which in many cases today… many preachers are just that… money hungry… lovers of lucre…

Someone donated it to him/ministry and the IRS says no to tax exempt without salary disclosure.  He can donate it to me and my church and we will disclose pastor and officer salaries and the IRS will be satisfied.  I would be only too glad to help out.

I wonder what poor pastors of 3rd world churches would think of this issue?

without we can not please god