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Without Walls Waits On Other Churches
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Published: November 7, 2007
Previous Coverage:
Without Walls Finances Face Senator's Scrutiny
Sen. Chuck Grassley Video Interview
TAMPA - Some leaders of churches targeted in an investigation by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley are wrestling with how to comply with his request for detailed financial information on their ministries. Some say they have nothing to hide.
One isn't ready to commit.
"I can't say yet," said Randy White, co-founder of Without Walls International Church in Tampa. "I'm waiting on a conference call with all the six ministries."
Creflo Dollar, senior pastor of World Changers Church International in College Park, Ga., said he would provide only the information to which Grassley is legally entitled.
"The letter we received would, for example, allow the U.S. Senate to ask for the names of high donors from the Catholic Church, names of donors that support Episcopal Church schools, and also ask for the salary of any pastor in America," Dollar said in a statement. "Because of this fact, we feel it is prudent to consult well-respected legal professors and scholars to see what their thoughts are."
A copy of the letter sent to Dollar did not ask for any church donors' names.
As reported in The Tampa Tribune on Tuesday, Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Finance, sent letters Monday to six ministries he said could be violating their tax-exempt status, including Paula White Ministries, which began in Without Walls. He wants the information by Dec. 6.
If they comply, it could give the public an unprecedented look inside the finances of independent multimillion-dollar ministries.
Churches have a special place in federal tax law; they aren't required to file 990 forms like other nonprofit organizations. Critics say the system has allowed some church leaders to secretly use their ministries to bankroll their lavish lifestyles.
Grassley, a Republican representing Iowa, has launched investigations, and prompted reforms, of other nonprofit groups, including the American Red Cross and the Nature Conservancy.
"I think for a person like me, it's this simple," Grassley told News Channel 8 on Tuesday. "Jesus came into the city on a simple donkey. To what extent do you need a Rolls-Royce to expand the ministry of Jesus Christ?"
The Whites may have trouble convincing Grassley that their church board is an independent guardian of congregants' donations. He wants to know who determines how money is spent at Without Walls and Paula White Ministries, and asked for copies of all board minutes.
"There's no formal meetings to speak of," said Alick Clark, a longtime Without Walls board member from Acton, Calif. He said nearly all board meetings are conducted by telephone.
Clark wasn't happy about news of Grassley's investigation.
"I'm sorry to see all of this happening," he said. "How many of these guys would be in ministry if there was no money in it? Not many, I can tell you."
Besides Dollar and Without Walls, Grassley is seeking information from Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church of Grapevine, Texas; David and Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo.; Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas; and Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church of Lithonia, Ga.
Joyce Meyer's attorney, Thomas J. Winters, issued a statement saying the ministry tries to be open about its finances and has released audited financial reports since 2003.
The ministry retained its tax-exempt status after the Internal Revenue Service reviewed the organization's records dating back to 2004, Winters said.
Meyer's organization "is committed to conducting itself with excellence and integrity, choosing to go above and beyond the level of accountability required by law and or that is expected by most donors," the statement read.
Winters noted that it has provided more than 11 million meals in 2006, built nearly 200 freshwater wells and churches in underdeveloped countries, and operates more than 50 orphanages worldwide.
Benny Hinn spokesman Ronn Torossian said the ministry is trying to figure out the best way to respond to Grassley's request.
The televangelist has routinely been criticized for his lavish lifestyle, including a $10 million parsonage in California.
"We regard this as an important matter and will not respond until further information becomes available," Torossian said in a statement. "World Healing Center Church complies with the laws that govern church and nonprofit organizations and will continue to do so."
Dan Rene, a spokesman for Eddie Long of New Birth, said the ministry plans to comply with Grassley's requests.
"New Birth has several safeguards put in place to ensure all transactions are in compliance with laws applicable to churches," he said in a statement, declining to elaborate.
Kenneth Copeland could not be reached for comment.
Reporter Baird Helgeson can be reached at (813) 259-7668 or bhelgeson@tampatrib.com. Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613 or mbearden@tampatrib.com. Keyword, Church, to comment on the story or read previous coverage of Without Walls.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( debieriley ) on November 7, 2007 at 2:22 a.m.
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on November 7, 2007 at 6:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Just don't rush them, it takes awhile to cook a good set of books.
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Posted by ( Teena ) on November 7, 2007 at 8:16 a.m.
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Posted by ( Russ74 ) on November 7, 2007 at 8:22 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Obviously most here aren't church goers or go to a church that thrives on negativity and sufferings. The bible tells us that God want to bless us with abundance in every area of our lives as long as we follow God's word. Without Walls Ministries actually posts their gross income and where all the money goes on their website. If half of you even read the bible you'd see that yes Jesus rode in on a donkey and didn't lead a lavish life but he also didn't tell everyone they must live like he either. All you had to do is be the person he was showing you to be, humble, loving, nurturing, giving, etc. He did not hate, boast, fight, none of that. A lot of people need to pick up the Bible and start reading what God will do for you if you believe in Jesus. Then you may the same lavish life. God Bless you all.
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Posted by ( crowesfan ) on November 7, 2007 at 8:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wow "debieriley" all that at 2:22am! Lay off the Starbucks and get some sleep...but I do agree with your comments.
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Posted by ( Russ74 ) on November 7, 2007 at 8:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why don't you ask the Senator is HE pays taxes. They DON'T just so you know the FACTS.
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Posted by ( steelcurtain ) on November 7, 2007 at 8:54 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey Russ. I do go to church and in the Bible it says to be more like Christ... With that said, I do still give to the homeless, I do still give to the church. When it comes time for me to face God, I know that I did what is right.
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Posted by ( guitarteacher ) on November 7, 2007 at 9:09 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Remember that most ministers are not pulling down mega-bucks, just average wages. Some serve their churches for nearly nothing, and maybe work an outside job to make it. Before we change LAWS to "get" the few, know that the laws that protect the few "mega-buckers", also protect the small guys who are struggling to help their people.
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Posted by ( shades_is_here_now ) on November 7, 2007 at 9:13 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey the Bible does say that God will provided all of your needs to His riches and glory, but JESUS also said, to give give unto Ceasers what is Ceasers and what is GOD's to GOD or another words in this age give what is the state's give unto the state and what is GOD's give to GOD.
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Posted by ( gatormb ) on November 7, 2007 at 9:28 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The message of the bible is simple. If you have ever told a lie you are a liar. If you have ever stolen anything, regardless of value, you are a thief. If you have ever used God's name as a cuss word, you are a blasphemer. If you have ever looked with lust (yes the old Jimmy Carter story) you are an adulterer at heart. The bible says that all liarers will take part in the lake of fire. No thief, blasphemer or adulterer will enter the kingdom of heaven. In other words on judgement day we will all be guilty before a good and just God. If you break even one commandment you have broken them all. The message of the gosphel is that Jesus paid our fine for us so we can be set free. The only sinless person paid our fine with His blood and if you will trust in Him and what he did on the cross and, being eternially gratefull, repent, you will still be guilty but Jesus will pay your fine.
If you are coming to Jesus because you want an "abundant life", I sorry you are coming for the wrong reason and are in danger of being a false convert. The Apostle Paul said he led an abundant life. Shipwrecked, stoned, imprisoned, and eventually beheaded. Sounds like a pretty abundant life to me. Coming to Jesus because you want to live in a bigger house, drive a nicer car, make more money puts you in great danger. Bad things happen to everybody, both the righteous and unrighteous. The difference is the Christian has somebody, Jesus, to help them through difficult times.
The bible says that many will be gathered in His name and He will sift through them, getting rid of the chaf, bad fish, foolish virgins, etc. The scariest verse in the entire bible is Mat. 7:22-23 Many will say to Me in that day,'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesisied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them 'I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."
HELL'S BEST KEPT SECRET is the millions of "christians" who have expressed their faith for the wrong reasons and are in great danger. Many have been falsely "saved" by the prosperity gospel only to backslide when life gets difficult. The church calls them backsliders, but you can't backslide if you never slide forward to begin with.
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Posted by ( Russ74 ) on November 7, 2007 at 9:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
To steelcurtain, all these people have many charities they donate to and do many things for the homeless. i don't attend without walls ( i have a different church) but my room mate does. they go out and feed the homeless and all kinds of other things. media will only tell you as much as they want you to see. if you want to see what without walls is all about, go and attend or vist the website to see all that they do for the communities. it's not like they are keeping all the money for themsleves to get plastic surgery, rolls royces, etc. lastly, the focus shouldn't be on what the people spreading the gospel are doing in there personal life, does the word they preach mean something to you? is it helping you at a time you need to hear it?
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Posted by ( steelcurtain ) on November 7, 2007 at 10:13 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree. As long as we do what is right than our conscience can be clear. We can not predict what outhers will do with the donations that we send.
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Posted by ( gleesgirl ) on November 7, 2007 at 4:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
No, we can't predict what they'll do - but we CAN choose not to plant our seed into diseased ground, especially when we know it's diseased. Yes, WW does feed the homeless, etc. etc. but they have gotten too far from their original mission and from the word of God - as have many of the others. The Bible talks about living our lives in such a way that's worthy of our calling - that means to be above reproach. PERIOD.
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Posted by ( kazabud ) on November 7, 2007 at 8:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a joke. I wonder if Benny Hinn lined up people on a tenth floor balcony backwards, and touched them. Would they fall back then? There all frauds.
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Posted by ( nrkuhl ) on November 8, 2007 at 1:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If it is true that the Whites are not being truthfull about God's work. It is God's place to being judgement upon them. If people send less time critizing and more time focusing on God blessing will come upon them. If I am not mistaking their were alot of God's people in the bible Abraham,David,Joe that were not poor they were bless by God and had servents and all. Alot of this minister if you analyst it and think logical write books, do investment which generate income. Thier was a pastor which I am not going to name that got very good book deal. Think about it one can bless or curse with one tongue
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