Senate probes finances of six TV ministries

Posted: 11/16/07

Senate probes finances of six TV ministries

By Adelle M. Banks

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)—A prominent U.S. senator is seeking financial information from some of the biggest names among evangelical TV ministries following complaints from the public and news reports of possible money mismanagement.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the top-ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, gave the six ministries until Dec. 6 to turn over the records.

“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.

The senator sent letters to two Texas-based ministries—Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark and Benny Hinn Ministries in Grapevine. He also demanded financial accounting from Joyce Meyer Ministries in Fenton, Mo.; Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga.; Creflo Dollar Ministries in College Park, Ga.; and Randy and Paula White of Tampa, Fla.

Ken Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, called the re-quest “quite unusual” and “almost unprecedented.” He said none of the six ministries targeted are members of his Winchester, Va., organization, but he expects it will prompt others to get their houses in order.

“I think it’s a wake-up call for everybody that financial accountability, transparency (and) proper accounting processes are important,” Behr said.

The Whites, who recently divorced, acknowledged in a statement they had received the letter.

“We find it unusual, since the IRS has separate powers to investigate religious organizations if they think it’s necessary,” they said. “So we find it odd that the IRS did not initiate this investigation.”

Meyer’s ministry posted a statement on its website, saying: “Joyce Meyer Ministries is committed to financial transparency. We are diligently working on the presented requests and will continue to take the necessary steps to maintain our financial integrity.”

Long’s ministry also issued a statement saying he intends to “fully comply” with the request. “New Birth has several safeguards put in place to insure all transactions are in compliance with laws applicable to churches.” Responses from other ministries could not be immediately obtained.

Information requested by Grassley included:

• Audited financial statements from 2004-2006.

• Names and addresses of board members.

• Detailed explanations of compensation paid to ministry leaders.

• Payments to ministry leaders not reported as income to the Internal Revenue Service on Forms W-2 and 1099.

• Statements for credit cards used by ministry leaders for ex-penses paid by their ministries.

• Lists of vehicles owned or leased by ministries for the benefit of their leaders.