Should Christian Ministries get in Line for a Bailout from Congress?

It seems like bad news is coming from every sector of the economy--including a number of megachurches and so-called "Christian" ministries. J. Lee Grady, who writes for Charisma Magazine, reports that Without Walls International, a megachurch which once boasted of 23,000 members, is in foreclosure after the divorce of the founding "pastors" Randy and Paula White. No surprise there.

The "Bishop" with no shame, Thomas Weeks III, (who assaulted his wife, Juanita Bynum) was recently escorted from the grounds of Global Destiny Ministries while giving a sermon, because of 500K in past-due rent.

And then Bishop Earl Paulk's massive (6,000 seat) Cathedral at Chapel Hill, is nearly empty, after a series of sex scandals in the Paulk family, and heretical doctrine taught by Paulk's son, "Jr. Bishop" Donnie Paulk.  The Paulks have put the church up for sale.

While Grady laments the decline of these churches, he also makes the case that each of these "ministries" ceased being faithful to Scripture (he means that differently than I would--I don't think any of these heretical monstrosities should have existed in the first place). Click here: 111908 - Fire In My Bones

Then there is the news that Oral Roberts University will lay-off 100 workers to get back on a solid financial footing and to help pay-off Richard Roberts (Oral's son), who got booted out of the office of president of the family-founded university. Click here: Tulsa World: ORU plans to slice 100 jobs

Even James Dobson's Focus on the Family has been hit hard.  Focus is laying-off 202 workers because they spent $500,000.00 in support of proposition 8 in California.  Click here: Colorado Independent » More layoffs at Focus on the Family

Seems like things are rough all over. Maybe they should go to congress hat-in-hand. Everyone else, it seems, is asking for a bailout.

Comments

[Zrim]

Who knew meddling could cost six figures? St. Peter's exhortations about meddling are worth their weight in gold I guess.

[Alberto]

I read the article on Focus on the Family, but it doesn't say that lay-offs were a direct result of the money spent on their activism. Perhaps I misread it? And don't they keep funds for their "ministry" apart from their activism funds?

[matt holst]

I think a fascinating study would be to find out where the former "members" (and I use that term loosely) are attending now. Did they learn from their errors and find churches that preach the Gospel (imagine that!) or did they simply choose one falso religion for another?

Matt

[Chris M.]

Now that I've embraced Reformed doctrine, I'm always a little embarassed when folks find out I'm an Oral Roberts U. grad ('90). I was there in the late 80s when Oral was in the Prayer Tower & the dog track owner gave him money, etc. While I was sympathetic to their doctrine then, I was shamed to see that at my university. Anyway, it is no surprise to me some 20 years later that Oral Roberts MInistries & University is still in finanacial trouble & that Richard Roberts has been ousted. While not a prophet, I could see that coming when I was there. So sad since they & others like them dominate the Tulsa 'Christian church scene'.

[timinator]

Chris M. You may not be a prophet, but hay you got that right about Richard Roberts when Hal Lindsey can't even get a single prediction right about Desert Storm several years ago. Go figure!


I am surprised that many of these churches are word faith based and clam to know what God is doing in their lives. I guess they are seeing first hand that they misunderstood scripture.


Most surprised is Focus on the Family. I understand why they spent all that money on prop 8. What I don't understand is why they spent all that money if they were hurting finically. Sad to hear those people are loosing their jobs. That just adds to our economic problems. This reminds me that God is in charge and he has the plan of all this mess and what the outcome well be.

[wayne]

Oral Roberts conducted a revival and healing crusade here in Melbourne,Australia in 1956,but he was forced to flee the city after the tent was attacked and he was assaulted.My staunch Church of Christ father did not agree with Robert's theology but was disgusted at those who physically attacked him, As to who did it,Dad believed it may been a Right Wing Catholic group or the Communist party who the former were already battling in the trade union movement.
Perhaps the mega churches-thankfully only a few here-who are in trouble need to get back on their knees and remember that judgement begins in the House of the Lord

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