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Black
Churches Have Collected $800 Billion in ten years?
Initially Posted on July 1, 2009 by Harlem World.
Updated, and added to by Black Economics. October 2011.
If there
is ever an area which can demonstrate black people's prowess
in business, it is in the area of religion. There have always
been incentives, for generations, to give generously to churches.
The reasons could be any of the following.
a) the
promise of 100-fold blessings returned to you when you give
b) thankfulness
for a social and spiritual institution that meets many needs;
c) the
wonderful Pastor instilling unflinching loyalty;
d) the
willingness to give because God has been good to them
e) the
threat of hell-fire and damnation,
f) simple
obedience to a section of the Bible which asks for tithes
and offering, where tithes is 10% of income
Bear in
mind, not everybody is paying into the church coffers. Its
voluntary, and thus usually - only those who can afford it,
and want to pay actually make donations. Though we've all
heard the stories of bounced cheques written to churches.
These come from the occasional person with good intentions,
but a low bank balance.
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In the USA, LiveSteez research shows that Black churches,
in aggregate, have collected more than $450 billion in tithes
and donations since 1980. With a Senate investigation into
the finances of several mega churches underway, the “Prosperity
Movement” has been the target of mounting criticism from
inside and outside the Black Church. Specifically, some affluent
ministries have drawn the attention – and ire –
of some clergy and laypeople alike.
Researcher
Henry E. Felder’s study of Blacks’ donation habits
demonstrated per capita spending of $508 per year in 2009
dollars. Another source, Tyler Media Services, estimated that
Black Church revenue approached $17 billion in 2006.
One church,
the Reverend Dollar’s World Changers, reported $69 million
in 2006 income, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Mainstream
politicians and Black community leaders are demanding a better
accounting of the “return on investment” offered
by churches to the communities that fund them. Meanwhile,
legions of faithful churchgoers defend their pastors and accuse
their detractors of applying a double standard that ignores
the largesse of wealthy, white televangelists, while underplaying
the economic development and social service functions provided
by the Black Church.
“The
church has gotten caught up in materialism and greed, a lifestyle.
Many ministers today want to live like celebrities and they
want to be treated like celebrities. In other words, instead
of the church standing with the community, the church has
become self-serving. It has strayed away from its mission”
according to Dr.Love Henry Whelchel, professor of church history
at The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.
Few people – not even the ongoing Congressional investigation
by Senator Chuck Grassley accuse the mega church pastors of
outright larceny, and congregants generally approve of their
pastors’ luxurious lifestyles.
LiveSteez’s investigative series will take a forensic
editorial approach to quantifying the return to Black America
for the $350 billion in tax-favored donations it has given
to the Black Church, examining the arguments on both sides
of the pulpit. In this series we will seek answers and advisory
to the following questions:
- How
often and how much do church leaders take advantage of the
faith of poor black people?
-We will investigate and indentify the churches they are showing
a strong return on investment that goes beyond inspiration.
- What
does the black community have to show for the $350 billion
in tax free dollars?
- Expert
analysis on what could potentially be done with such a huge
amount of money and how it could improve the state of our
communities.
- Why do some church leaders refuse to participate in the
Grassley congressional Investigation, which requested the
financial records of several mega-churches.
Some pastors are in fact money hungry! However, it would be
ludicrous to criticize them all and generalize them all as
being money hungry! Thats the devils plan to attack these
men and get people to give up hope concerning their salvation!
Thats why you see so many people lost because they don’t
know what to believe, and at the same time its important that
we know the word for ourselves so that we can understand when
we’re being bamboozled.
Many of
these men such as Dr. Dollar, and the T.D. Jakes all have
viable businesses, Bishop Jakes has been putting books out
since the early 90's and has directed movies, and Dr. Dollar,
the Dr. means he is a PHD, he was a phsycology counselor for
years making $150 an hour, and he has books out, and he has
a record label thats under universal music group, with grammy
nominee artist. When these men put books out they get million
dollar contracts.
White
ministers also come in for stick re finances. Joel Osteen
has not taken a salary from his Houston megachurch for two
years. He owns one house — the same one he and his wife,
Victoria, have lived in for 13 years — and until recently
he drove a 9-year-old car he inherited from his late father.
Osteen pays his own hotel bills, and there is no private jet.
Although the upbeat minister does take collections at services,
netting an estimated $43 million a year, Osteen does not ask
for money on his broadcasts, which reach an estimated 7 million
viewers weekly in the U.S. and 100 other countries. Nonetheless,
an additional $30 million comes through the mail. His most
recent book deal earned him a $13 million advance.
The Senate
doesn’t even have the proper jurisdiction to look into
Non-Profit organizations, that the IRSs’ dealings. The
Bible says it clearly when you seek him first and nothing
else great rewards will clearly come your way, the lord takes
pleasure in the prosperity of his servants. If your blessed
your blessed.
So with
$450 billion (from the congregation) plus $350 billion (from
tax top-up) received in ten years giving a total of $800 billion,
what is needed is an overview of what that money is spent
on.
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In our
research the list below indicates where churches would generally
spend their income. In many cases they provide a social fabric
and cohesion which would otherwise be missing in some communities.
In many cases they also do the job that governments, or charities
would or should be doing. Churches are in effect Social Enterprises
as well as Spiritual havens. Since they have regular funding,
they are unlikely to go out of business. Though people have
been known to move from Church to Church, so decreasing the
income of the previous church.
Many a
black middle class family can be found in these churches.
The congregation are always aspiring for a better life, through
hard work, prayer and faith. Its a social fabric which needs
to be maintained, and does much good for society.
Missionary
Outreach to the local community (spreading the gospel)
Missionary
Outreach abroad
Training
and Education
Senior
Citizens clubs, and care
Pastor
and Key Workers salaries
Building
purchase and maintenance
Rent
or Mortgage
Electricity/Gas/Water
Communications
via radio, TV or Internet
Printing
materials
Computers
Telephone
Travel
& Transport for Pastor and Key workers
Orphanages
Youth
clubs
Youth
training and mentoring schemes
Bible/Reading
Clubs
Counselling
service for: Families, Married Couples, Dysfunctional Homes
Dealing
with Drug Addicts, Alcoholics
Providing
emotional and moral support prisoners, or ex-offenders.
Rehabilitate
ex-offenders
Provide
motivation and life coaching through sermons and conferences
Media,
Advertising & PR
Men's
support groups
Womens
groups
Children's
classes including Sunday School
After
School Clubs
Nurseries,
and Children's Activities
Mother
and Toddler Groups
Training
for public speaking
Musical
Insturments Training
Choirs/Groups/Solist
singing opportunities for a ready audience
Providing
employment for many
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