(Video) Bishop TD Jakes and Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. Damage Control, ExMembers & Employees
Breaking News!
There's been several ex members in leadership that are coming forth telling about their experience at the Potters House and being an employee. In full detail the former members did an interview they begin to spill the beans about the inside life at The Potters House. Listening to the story other members and individuals that were in leadership roles also commented on a YouTube video confirming everything that they're saying to be true. I must say working for a mega ministry is not only Church but it is big business. Individuals have to understand when a pastor oversees thousands of members they have to employ individuals to be their extended self. Now I must say that this is a task, leaders of congregations of this magnitude must always possessed humility.
So in the video that I created about this situation I further explain how these individuals felt in being a part of this ministry, some for over 17 years. I honestly feel like playing a neutral part in this situation, there is always two sides to incidences like this. Mega churches are not just churches anymore but they are businesses and in order for them to stay off the ground they have to have sources of income other than money from the laity. Perfect example, Bishop TD Jakes conducts a few conferences throughout the year that not only supports The Potters House and TD Jakes Ministries but it covers the expense of the employees. The same applies to many mega organizations around the world, the Church of God in Christ is a good example of big business. Going to conventions there is a quota that has to be met yearly to cover all the expenses that are made. To have a successful convocation, convention, national meeting, you're going to have to raise a lot of money and I'm referring to not just hundreds of thousands of dollars but million! To the individuals that did the interview I do feel a sense of compassion for them due to how they were treated but simultaneously this is their employer not just their pastor. In Ministries like this you have to look at it like you look at a natural job! Yet at the same time, this is still ministry and ministry still must take place. I think that's where the fine line takes place and that same line tends to become blurry. In this drama many people forget about mega churches being mega business, and those that are in those rolls have to keep in mind of what role they play.
The Video Interview
Yearly at the Church of God in Christ convocation, many individuals come together from all around the world to fellowship and not only to have church but to sell their church product, once more that's church business. In these meetings individuals are either employed or volunteer their time to work for the ministry, therefore the church is represented and it's not just represented but it's making money at the same time.
Despite those who question mixing businesses and faith, church leaders like Bishop TD Jakes, Joel Osteen, Bishop Charles Blake Sr., Bishop David Oyedepo, and Creflo Dollar represent the black community’s only line of defense against apathetic politicians and failing institutions. They are the last bastion of social entrepreneurs, creating businesses that appeal to congregants’ spiritual needs and providing jobs within African American communities.
“Some people say that is not in the Bible,” says Caldwell. “Almost one-half of the parables in the New and Old Testaments deal with money. We are representing in the 21st century what the Lord said and did in the New Testament.”
HOW TO HOLD YOUR CHURCH ACCOUNTABLE
Churches must institute a strong system of checks and balances to ensure that those at the helm are held accountable for the financial dealings of the ministry, says Danny Freeman, author of Building Wealth through Spiritual Health.
The following are some recommendations:
Churches with budgets over $250,000 should hire an outside firm to conduct annual financial audits and share the information with parishioners, recommends Daniel Borokoff, leader of the American Institute of Philanthropy in Chicago.
Pastors should grant authority and leadership positions to laypeople within their congregations who have the expertise to help govern church-affiliated businesses and nonprofits, says Preston Williams, a retired Harvard University Divinity School professor.
To avoid conflicts of interest, an outside board of directors should monitor church businesses and all executives of church-affiliated business should be fully disclosed, says Freeman.
John Walker, chief creative officer at Tennessee-based Chitwood and Chitwood, says a pastor should be paid a regular salary not compensated by a pastor’s aid club fund committee. He believes it’s unethical to pay cash out of the offering bucket to an evangelist or to use one offering basket for pastor and one for the church. Good financial accountability has record keeping that tracks how money is collected and distributed and leaves a paper trail of receipts.
(Sit source: http://www.blackenterprise.com/mag/the-business-of-faith)
