BishopAccountability.org
	Profiteers, Predators Tarnish Black Churches By Milton W. Hinton Jr. Nj.com December 5, 2010 http://www.nj.com/gloucester/voices/index.ssf/2010/12/profiteers_predators_tarnish_b.html There is increasing evidence that should not be ignored that the black church, historically the cornerstone of the community, is being hijacked by entrepreneurs. Making matters worse is the fact that many congregants see this travesty taking place right before their eyes, yet remain silent. I refuse to do so any longer because too many vulnerable people, both young and old, are being victimized. The sexual misconduct and promiscuity with which Catholic clergy have been associated now appear to have arrived front pew-center in a number of predominantly black denominations. Not all, but some religious leaders, particularly those leading mega-churches which take in large amounts of cash, choose to lead a highly visible, opulent life style with no moral barometer. Purchasing million-dollar homes and exotic automobiles, and accepting million-dollar salaries provided by the daily labor of congregants struggling to survive is not just wrong, but immoral. It is past time to speak up about this. It appears that this lifestyle, which includes having power over those with low self esteem, those in crisis, or persons going through emotional upheaval, provides opportunity for sexual affairs. Decades ago reportedly, it was well known within the Nation of Islam that its leader, Elijah Muhammad, had fathered several children out of wedlock. Yet members of the organization chose to look the other way and were silent. When Henry Lyons, former president of the National Baptist Convention, stole millions of dollars of "church money" in order to support the lavish lifestyle he and his mistress enjoyed, many of his fellow clergy looked the other way. In both cases it appears that few, if any, had enough heart, shall we say, to speak up and denounce the inappropriate, destructive actions. The Rev. Cedric Miller of the Living Word Christian Fellowship in Neptune, Monmouth County, ordered 50 married church officials to delete their Facebook accounts or resign, saying that the social networking site could lead to extramarital temptation. Then it was revealed that his wife had engaged in an extramarital affair with a male church assistant. Miller said he participated in many of the sexual encounters and said the assistant's wife was sometimes present, too. Miller has taken a 90-day sabbatical, but not only have the members of the church been willing to forgive his actions, they took the extra step of issuing a statement supporting him in his job, after "prayer and thoughtful consideration" by the board of elders and recommendations from other local pastors. This makes absolutely no sense to me and diminishes the effectiveness and credibility of the entire church. Then there is the case of self-proclaimed Bishop Eddie Long, the leader of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in suburban Atlanta. Four men have filed lawsuits charging that when they were teenagers, Long lured them into sexual relationships by trying to be the father figures they never had, and providing them with money, expensive gifts, cars, and world travel. Then, when the teens said "no" to his advances, Long abandoned them. If this is true, Long is not a "Pastor," "Reverend," "Minister," or "Bishop;" he's a predator who should never lead another church during his lifetime. But, time after time, too many continue to follow these preachers like lemmings over a cliff, with little regard for the souls they may have irreparably harmed. This type of madness must stop. It is up to the people sitting in the church — who faithfully and dutifully empty their pockets every Sunday into the collection plate — to act. There is also a secondary issue that the church needs to discuss openly and honestly, related to Cedric Miller and Eddie Long, and many, many others. Church, at least in my community, is moving from an institution primarily concerned with the spiritual development of people, to a corporation focused on accumulating wealth, and distributing same to its leadership. The Bishop Eddie Long Ministries Inc. is the non-profit entity Bishop Long started, and has provided him with a salary of $1 million per year for four years, a $1.4 million home, and use of a $350,000 Bentley automobile. The bishop is living quite large; better, in fact, than many of the people emptying their pockets every Sunday morning. As a working man who is able to currently meet all my needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, I am alarmed by the extravagant wealth and lifestyles of mega-church CEOs, especially since one quarter of all black people live below the poverty line. Perhaps I'm getting old and resistant to change. But I do not like ATM machines in church, or the emphasis on religious institutions accumulating wealth. I like the minister to know my name like I know his. I like the minister to visit the sick and infirm, not send the assistant to the associate back-up minister. And by the way, churches only need one minister (maybe an assistant if it's a very large church) because it's a full time job and there are plenty of hours in the day.
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