Friday, March 18, 2011

Press Covers Small Black Church Pastor's Attempts to Fleece His Congregation, but Ignores the Wealthy White Pastors

By now most of you have probably heard of John Goodman, pastor of a small black church in Houston, Texas, that was accused by members of withholding communion for church members not forking over their tax refund to help build the church parking lot.

But why does the press cover this tiny black church, led by a poor pastor in an urban neighborhood in his attempt to get money from his people, yet they don't cover worse antics of the wealthy white pastor Ed Young, Jr. up in Dallas who last October behaved just as badly in trying to get his hands on his congregation's cash?

Here is the video of the report about pastor John Goodman:


The reporter actually goes out to the church and sticks a mic in this pastor's face to get him to answer questions about why he was trying to get his hands on the church member's tax refund and weather he actually withheld communion.

But which is worse?

Pastor Goodman calling his stingy church members "devils", or Ed Young calling his non-tithers thieves, and warning church members to watch their wallets as non-tithers would likely steal their money?

Pastor Goodman may have refused the church communion for being stingy. Not good. But Ed Young, Jr. actually had the audacity to mockingly laugh at his non-tithing members and told them they shouldn't even bother to come to church if they don't bring 10%. He said they should stay home, go golfing, and quit wasting his (Ed's) and His (God's) time.

Pastor John Goodman wanted his members' tax refunds. Ed Young wanted the checking account and routing numbers of his congregants for a 10% withdraw from their checking accounts.

I think the greater offense is a wealthy pastor misusing scripture to convince people that their path to blessings is only through giving 10% of their income to the pastor's church.

I wish the press would cover that - and they don't need anonymous eye-witnesses, it was all captured on tape.

15 comments:

  1. I agree. The wealthy, white churches should get the same treatment. But of course they won't.

    I can understand a pastor's frustration with non-givers. He probably sees it as "hey, either you're in or you're out. Either you really believe in what we're doing, or you don't."

    My husband pointed out that the preachers are actually being biblical. He was referring to the story in Acts where a couple is struck dead for not giving all, or at least for lying about it. So at least people these days don't usually drop dead in the aisles. They are instead threatened that bad things may happen. Oh, and called thieves and devils!

    I think if you want to attend church, go to one you feel good about and be as generous as you can. If you don't like the way your money's used-like the preacher is rich or whatever-then don't give anything. Instead, give your money to something you truly do feel is worthy. There are plenty of good charities out there who'd be thrilled to get your help and don't mind being held accountable for what they do with the money.

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  2. Previous blogger said go to a church you "feel good " about. That's the problem..."feel good" churches. Churches have left their first love...witnessing, preaching the whole council of God, and getting people saved. Most churches are social organizations, run by women and social climbing men. Networking and "buddy system" being the main social agenda. Real churches are over in my opinion!

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  3. Frankly, George Foreman in Houston has plenty of surplus funds to help a local church. Maybe he should step up and help?!

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  4. I live in the Houston area. Don't forget that Ed Young sr. has pastored here many yrs. He has mega attendance and many are very influential in city politics. No one is going to defend a a preacher in a small church but instead kaugh at his so-called aduacity. The thing that most perplexes me is why would anyone stay in church large or small that seem so determined to fleece the sheep.

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  5. Did Jesus not tell a man once..."Give EVERYTHING you have"...

    You guys would have crucifed him for that!~

    This is insane!

    These Pastors are doing exactly what Jesus did and for a reporter or a blogger or a so called Christian 'dog' to condemn a Pastor for trying to support the Lord's work is blasphemy!

    Please go back and read the BIBLE!

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  6. Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

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  7. "The thing that most perplexes me is why would anyone stay in church large or small that seem so determined to fleece the sheep."

    All you have to do is look to the COMPAC Center and you will see the biggest fleecing of all!!

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  8. ..."Give EVERYTHING you have"...

    Gotta wonder how many of your wealthy mega church preacher heros would be willing to do that?

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  9. Joel O is a true man of God. I bet you he steps up and builds this Church's parking lot. When I see Joel smile, I see the smile of God.

    The Preacher who brings it home is David Platt.

    David Platt will tell you in a heartbeat to give your tax refund check, your tithe, your inheritance to the Church.

    His whole book is about the kind of greed that this Blog promotes.

    The real reason that you see this Blog being anti-giving is because the author of this Blog NEVER gives!

    Read "Radical"! IT blows this Blog up!

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  10. We love giving. We encourage giving. Give generously. Give until it feels good. In fact, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

    What we object to is presenting a Holy and Gracious God who loves you and me so much that He willing shed his blood, died on a cross and arose on the third day as a thug who will wack you if you do not give in accordance with what a fellow sinner thinks you should.

    Please answer the following, what do you think "under compulsion" means?

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  11. One reason we never got real bad press is because one of our elders was a huge advertiser for his car dealership in both the paper and on local TV channels.

    Another big wig at the mega was the CEO of a huge fast food conglomerate who also advertised heavily with the media.

    The media has to make a living, too.

    This is another reason why blogs are important. Nothing to gain or lose from it.

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  12. Maybe the church parking lot should have remained unpaved. There are a lot of buildings which are half filled on any day of the week. Some are built for the Glory of God while many are erected for the Glory of Man. What goes on inside those buildings is key and I find little evidence that anything worthwhile is accomplished for the Kingdom. A lot of movement but very little of significance that honors God.

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  13. "The real reason that you see this Blog being anti-giving is because the author of this Blog NEVER gives!'

    Turn Your Eyes , , , this is the dumbest statement you've yet to write - your eyes are crossed!

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  14. DOLLAR WAS TALKING ABOUT SHOOTING PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T TITHE!!!!

    Where was that in the press!?!?!?

    - jared

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  15. I don't know that it made the press, but it's on YouTube:

    Creflo Dollar >> "Pay Tithes or get SHOT!"

    Another version in case that one disappears:

    Creflo Dollar Says He Would Shoot Non-Tithers

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