Joyce Meyer Agrees To Finance Investigation
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 Labels: government, Ministry, Pastor 22 commentsI made a post about this issue before. I am just glad that Joyce Meyer is making an effort and maybe it will clear her name from suspicion. I am still skeptical. Story below:
A US Senator says televangelist Joyce Meyer has shown a "good faith" effort to comply with a congressional review of nonprofit laws affecting churches and religious ministries.
Last week the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) announced it granted accreditation to Joyce Meyer Ministries and Oral Roberts University. Joyce Meyer is one of six televangelist ministries under investigation by the Senate Finance Committee for alleged violations of their tax-exempt status.
Meyer has been accused of lavishly spending ministry money on, among other things, a $23,000 marble-topped commode and an $11,000 French clock. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who initially launched the probe, says he is encouraged that Meyer has accepted ECFA oversight.
"She wants to reassert to her givers that she's using the money in the fashion of which they intended it when it was given to her," he explains. "And that's important to me because when an organization has nonprofit status, they are a trustee for that money, and then it also backs up another goal that I have [which] is maintaining the credibility of the tax-exemption that goes with charitable and church giving."
Grassley says four of the six ministries he has been scrutinizing have chosen to continue stonewalling his investigation -- Randy and Paula White of Without Walls International Church, Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries, and Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Senator GrassleyChurch International.
Although he is still holding out hope the four ministries will voluntarily comply with his probe, Grassley admits he is "getting close" to asking Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus to issue subpoenas.
Can't say that I am surprised. There is something sick with the way that these pastors make so much money. Joel Osteen and TD Jakes are other good examples of pastors who are living way too high on the hog. God knows how many meals, clothes, medicines, etc. those wasted funds could have bought.
Hi Craig!
I work for Joyce Meyer Ministries, and appreciate your post about this. One thing I wanted to mention though, is that your title suggests there was resistance to complying with the senator's request. There was never any resistance to it. Grassley made his request in the forth quarter of 2007, and asked for compliance by December of that year. JMM did comply in a timely manner 15 months ago. Grassley has been complimentary of the ministry for it's compliance to his request (which included info on personal finances by the Meyers and their families).
We do truly focus on stewardship. It isn't uncommon for decisions to include a conscious reminder of the impact the decision will have on how many children can be fed. We take it quite seriously.
Best regards, and thank you for your time!
Government ought kep it's big nose out of the church.
Government, the pinnacle of good stewardship. They waste more money in a week than all the churches in this world collect in a year.
I'm no fan of the self-focused, Christian progressivism of Joyce Meyer's ministry, but I do not think the government needs to be in charge of who spends what on whatever in a church.
Mike,
I agree, these "pastors" seem consumed with money and fame. Most have a book published about monthly and they are nothing more than self-help books. How to live a better... or How to have a better...
Chad,
Thanks for your comments. I don't see how the title suggests resistance. It says she "agrees." Thanks again for the information you provided and I hope this clears up any misconception.
Steve,
You have a valid argument and I agree with what you are saying and think this is a slippery slope.
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I dont understand Pastors being investigated they work for the Lord and the Lord takes care of them,why does that bother so many people? You know if these investagaters lived during the old Testament they would have a feild day with Abraham Isaac and Jacob because God blessed them for there loyalty too. Just remember those who point fingers and judge ,some day you to will also be judged and I would not wont to be you.
This is Faith based, not worldly based. Joyce has always taught the word of God with love and integrity. God himself said you would know his children by the fruit they produce. (If they teach the word of God correctly and do not add or delete from the word, then they are genuine. His children will love a broken world) And "anonymous" is correct, Old Testament is proof that God rewards his faithful bountifully. If you doubt that, then I encourage you to pick up the word of God (the bible) and study it for yourself. God owns everything in this world (he created it) and it is his right (and no one else's)on how he wishes to use it. Remember, there is a spiritual battle taking place in this world. Satan is alive and real and he will do everything he can to stop the word of God being taught. Arm yourselves with the Knowledge of the word of God and take up the shield of faith. You can not correctly discern between good and evil if you are walking in darkness (ignorance). Satan is the father of lie's and deciet. God is the father of truth. You can only battle Satan with the help of the Holy Spirit (which you recieve through Faith in Jesus Christ of Nazereth, the son of God, and knowledge of the word of God). You can not do it in your own strength. God says his people die for lack of knowledge (knowledge of his word) If anyone is misusing his word and leading his people astray, then God himself will judge and deal with it. It is his right to do so, not ours. This is a black and white issue, you can not be gray. Choose. Either you walk in Faith or you don't. If you do walk in faith, then you will have the descernment to know the conterfiet from the true teachers of God. If you don't walk in faith, then you will be lead astray by the devil. Arm yourself with the word of God before you make a decision like this. It is the only protection you have against the lie's of Satan. My prayer is that you will do this before you decide on this issue. Then look at "every" teacher of God and descern (with the knowledge of his word/truth) who is real and who is not. It is our duty as his children to put for the effort to do this. May God show you the truth and deliver you from darkness. In Jesus precious name. Amen
i love Joyce to me this prove she is trying to be the example of Jesus before the government that wanted him crucified. surprised Kenneth Copeland is resistant with all the examples in the bible of let God be our witness. so if they show resistance it is not by God they do it did Apostle Paul resist being arrested under Jewish accusation? did Jesus tell his disciples to fight when they came to get him? did God not say Babylon was his SERVANT so if they fight the servant well we read the book right?
I believe it was Joyce Meyer who came to Anchorage, Alaska and gave her testimony at a small Christian based church.
I do believe God has anointed her and her ministry and let's not forget the hard work she and Dave has put into making it what it is today. My concern is this....with all the wealth that these ministries are known for (and you can search their wealth on the internet)I have asked myself over and over, what would Jesus have done with all this money. I don't believe it would be in His caricature to live as a king even though He was the King of Kings. I remember that He did not have a home of any kind but went from home to home where He fellowshipped and broke bread. I can't find where He ever asked for tithe or a love offering to Himself. The new testament does however tell us to rely on the Lord for all our needs and that is what He believed in.
What does a lover of the Lord need with all the material and financial abundance of self worth if they main objective is to win people to the Lord and discipleship?
I am open to learning of my God.
February 15, 2011
I regularly watch Joyce Meyer and what I see is someone who gives it her all. What she buys with her salary is really her business. I feel that with how hard she works she really has very little time to enjoy the "fruits of her labor", keep in mind she travels a lot (which I don't find particularly fun) on a regular basis with time changes and with all the things that can go wrong and just being away from ones comfort zone of HOME isn't really glamourous or debonaire, if you will. If she was in it for just money or for herself why would she spend countless hours, preparing for teachings and making sure everything is perfectly set up for the conventions, the travel, writing books and using the money she acquires for preparing her travel, paying her employees, the broadcasting along is a mint and all the projects she has undertaken and remember a ministry of this size is no piece of cake to run, overlook and be attentive financially for everything that it entails. It all takes time and you have not even taken into consideration that she and Dave do deserve to have a life too. What is it about that irks the Iowa Senator who started this in the first place about the commode and French Clock! I'd love to have an enire toilet in marble, not just the top in marble and I myself have an Ethan Allen Country Pine Clock. When you work as hard as Joyce & Dave I think they are allowed. I like Benny Hinn, but I questioned his private Jet more than that Joyce Meyer Ministries. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt though. . I believe Joyce is doing a lot of good things and I want God to reward her for all her hard work and all the responsibility for which she has taken on.
God is Watching Everything and PTL went under
for dishonesty big time; Joyce & Dave are more
shrewd than that.... I can appreciate a good teacher and you are a good one. I learn and will continue to everyday!
Yours in Christ,
Ms. Anne Renn
annerenn@yahoo.com
I would be interested to know where this stands. It appears is very old and no recent updates. Could someone elaborate?
Chris
I to like annonymous on 24 March 2011 would like to know the outcome or present status of this issue - or do those recirculating all this have something to hide?
Further to my question regarding outcome of this investigation. To update you all on Thursday 8th January 2011 Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn were completely cleared of any wrong doing by the investigation. Meyer and Hinn were the only 2 ministries to supple all requested information including personal and business receipts. They were completely transparent in all areas and came out with "kudos" from the government. The other four ministries being investigated however have refused to copperate and have not submitted any requested information. Perhaps now we can stop recycling old news and do what the bible instructs us to do which is to check out for ourselves all things!
May I respectfully suggest that your comments page be altered to show the most up to date comments first instead of the older ones. so many people latch on to the first few comments without scrolling through and without taking note of the dates!
Congrats to Joyce Meyer, I truly believe she has a heart for God and does the work of our Lord. I have watched her for many years and her teacheings are from the bible, maybe more people should turn to the bible and the world might be a happier place.
Thankful in Tn for Joyce
thank for you for the talk about fear this morning! My faith will lead me in the direction that is meant for me
Only God can judge! All I know is I the words that comes out of her mouth blesses me and everyone I share it with. I pray that I can have the life style she is living as a King's Kid, as she is in heaven here on earth. What then would we say if she lived in some old shack (just saying) then what would be the words released then; "Wow for a woman to know God and Preach the word and she living all poorly, Naw I can't listen to her cause God not blessing her keeping her poorly!(stay with me this is going somewhere) Now she is living high as a King's Kid should and now it lead to looking how she got everything! She should have more and I am waiting on the Lord to bless me the same, to have abundance according to His word, Heaven right here on earth,the fruits of my all my work!Don't let this keep you from hearing the Word of God coming through this vessel of the Lord and miss your blessing! Don't be concerned about her money handling for only God will judge that. Check out all the good she has done and not the ugly as you would want the same if you were to fall short ..none of us are perfect .."We fall short of the glory of God! Pray and not judge.Amen
I was wondering if JM was a fraud. My wife has watched her for some time. I did an internet search and landed here. I found a few interesting things along the way. I guess if the government let her go after supplying all the information it wanted she has her house in order. Amen
To Joyce Meyer Ministry: I truly believe in your teaching it is simple but powerful because of GOD'S WORDS.. you are called to preach the word.may GOD keep on BLESSING you and your family."your accounting shut the mouths of the gainsayers"($paperwork$) BE BLESS.
Concerning Joyce Meyer Ministries. They are entitled to a lavished lifestyle. can u imagine how much work goes into what they do. And she is definitely an anointed woman of God, make no mistake about it. She brings the word straight from the word of God. And that's why she is under investigation; or should I say attack. Joyce, you and I both know that this is going to happen; the bible says it! just keep doing what you're doing and know that what God has for you; it is for you, and no one can take that away from you. Know that I am praying with you!
Congress should investigate themselves for stealing our money. Joyce is a great preacher and she is apart of the " church" she is real and that is why I think she is great !
Joyce and her staff travels and gives to the people of 3rd worlds and helps the people in the USA, if congress can't see what works she does then their blind. Its all over in books, news , etc. We should do something about this government, its just another way to try and remove God from our lives .
joyce meyer all I can say is keep going god is working on all the things the you are going trough right now.just keep doing whath you do best teaching about jesus about god .god is with you and your family