I wrote about the link between Long and Tamaki back here.
An ugly story is brewing in Atlanta, where John Blake of the Journal-Constitution reports that Bishop Eddie Long of the 25,000 member New Birth Missionary Baptist Church received more than $3 million dollars in compensation over a 10 year period from a charity he set up to "serve the needy and spread the gospel." Long reportedly got $3.07 million--the rest of the needy got $3.1 million.
According to the Journal Constitution, Long received the following compensation over a four year period from 1997-2000:
•A $1.4 million six-bedroom, nine-bath home on 20 acres
•Use of a $350,000 luxury Bentley automobile.
•More than $1 million in salary, including $494,000 in 2000.
This about says it all -
Here's another scary quote, from J. Lee Grady of Charisma magazine about the pitfalls that an independent church of any size--from storefront to megachurch--can face when a pastor believes they answer to nobody but God.
Pastors take advantage of a lack of denominational accountability to enrich themselves, said J. Lee Grady, editor of Charisma, a national magazine that covers charismatic churches. Grady said, however, that he didn't know enough about Long's ministry to comment on it specifically.
"There are many independent churches out there today that are accountable to no one," he said. "Their board structures are controlled by a few insiders and no one can bring correction. That is not healthy. But it will not change as long as the congregations don't demand change."
3 comments:
That's too bad. It just ruins the ones who are doing it right. This man should be held accountable.
The truly sad thing, Lucy, is that while Tamaki might be doing a good job as a pastor of "his" church he is also seen as being one of the nouveau riche as well. You know, half million salaries for he and his wife, million dollar property, all the good things of life.
I am in no position to judge just how good he is, not being a member of his church and having to rely upon the impressions I get of the man from the media.
Where he does impact upon my life is his open and blatant attempts to mix his church into the politics of our nation.
THAT in my world makes him a dangerous man.
Actually he's in Alanta and you are in NZ. He's not really affecting your nation.
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