Whatever Else One Thinks

of him, Creflo certainly knows the value of a Dollar:

An Atlanta megachurch took in $69 million in 2006, according to a financial statement the church’s minister released in response to a Senate investigation into him and five other well-known televangelists.

The Rev. Creflo Dollar disclosed the World Changers Church International’s financial information to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but said the money he spends is his own.

More goodies from the AJC:

Grassley says he believes televangelists receive billions in donations each year. But he doesn't really know, because churches don't have to make their finances public like most nonprofits and charities.

Thanks to the First Amendment, the government treads carefully when it comes to walking in religion's orchard. The federal government does not tax ministries.

But Grassley said his probe has nothing to do with religion.

"I'm not interested in doctrine, just the tax laws," he said.

He has looked at the high-roller lifestyles of TV ministers and wonders whether church leaders are using the breaks given to them to enrich themselves.

Ya think, Chuck?

ORU Scandal.

Three ORU regents are getting queries from Washington.

They are Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, and Creflo Dollar.

A list of those being investigated:

* Randy and Paula White of Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla.


* Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas.


* David and Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo.


* Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas.


* Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga.


* Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga.

This could get good.

ORU Scandal.

Chuck Grassley has vowed a crusade against televangelists, which is at least 20 years late.

Hinn, Copeland and Dollar serve on ORU's board of regents.

Grassley's letters asked the ministers and their organizations to respond to numerous questions and submit certain information for his review.

His requests covered the minister's compensation, housing allowances and other expenses, jets and cars used by them, credit card statements, employment agreements between the ministers and their churches, love offerings, audited financial statements, names and addresses of boards of directors, dates and locations of board meetings.