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Investigation of megachurches in country gains backing

Michelle Bearden and Baird Helgeson/Media General News Service
Published: March 15, 2008
Updated: March 15, 2008

The chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance has joined the effort to get some churches, including four large ministries, to turn over information about possible violations of their tax-exempt status.
The ministries under review are Without Walls International Church, Joyce Meyer Ministries, Benny Hinn Ministries, World Changers Church International, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, and Kenneth Copeland Ministries.
All of the ministries preach varying degrees of what is called prosperity gospel, a belief that material wealth is proof of God’s blessing.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., added his signature to letters sent out this week to the ministries, indicating that political pressure is intensifying and subpoenas are possible in the investigation launched by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.
“We have an obligation to oversee how the tax laws are working for both tax-exempt organizations and taxpayers,” Grassley said in a statement Wednesday.
Congressional watchers said Baucus’ decision to sign on to Grassley’s letters adds heft to the inquiry. Grassley is the ranking member of the committee and a longtime nonprofit watchdog.
All that is required for subpoenas to be issued is a vote by the full committee or an agreement between the committee chairman and ranking member.
“Hopefully, these organizations will work with us,” Grassley told The Associated Press recently. “I don’t think I’ve had to issue a single subpoena in the five years that I’ve been trying to get cooperation from organizations.”
On Nov. 5, Grassley sent letters to the evangelists giving them a month to answer questions about their ministry expenses, use of donations and business practices.
Meyer has answered most of the questions. Hinn provided answers to five of the 28 questions. Representatives for Without Walls founders Randy and Paula White told Grassley’s staff they will begin sending documents next week.
According to Grassley’s staff, the remaining three have not cooperated, citing concerns about privacy or questioning the committee’s right to the information.
Churches hold a special place in federal tax law and aren’t required to reveal any financial information or pay taxes.
Although Grassley has said he prefers organizations to “self-correct” and be accountable to oversight groups such as ECFA, not everyone agrees that’s the best course of action.
Bill Keller, founder of liveprayer.com, a Christian Web site, said he wouldn’t pay thousands of dollars to join the ECFA. All nonprofits – religious ones as well – should be transparent about their finances, but donors must take more responsibility.
“If people want to buy into this Lotto mentality in hopes of hitting the big religious jackpot, and giving blindly to someone who is a self-appointed messiah, then have at it,” he said. “You can’t legislate stupidity.”
MICHELLE BEARDEN and BAIRD HELGESON are staff writers for The Tampa Tribune

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Investigation of megachurches in country gains backing

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