What one humble man of God has managed to acquire: Several relatives on the payroll with sizeable salaries, church on 1500 acre "campus," private airstrip, private hanger, $17.5 million jet, $6 million lakefront mansion, an oil and natural gas company, a ranch and cattle business. Meanwhile, chairman of the board, Ken Copeland, has veto-power over any decision by the board.
The veto-power is so that Copeland can stop any action which might seem to conflict with the Christian message.
All of this stems from Senator Grassley's investigation into 6 Word of Faith ministries. Copeland is one of 2 that is fighting the investigation and realizing the bigger picture. The possible implications if the wrong decision is made are scary. Copeland has invited an IRS investigation, which is the way Grassley should have gone in the first place. The results of this will end up affecting the future of all our rights.
Posted by: Happy Day | July 29, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Happy Day, thanks for your visit and note. Please say more, if the spirit moves you, on how Grassley should have gone the IRS route.
Posted by: John Petty | July 29, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Happy day - I agree. Had Grassley used the IRS investigation used for churches, he would have had all the information he requested already. He would have had to keep the findings confidential though. And last week we saw the latest attack from Grassley's camp on Copeland - the nepotism accusations. This has really all gone to far. It's time to settle this and let our congressmen get back to issues of greater importance.
Posted by: Michele | August 08, 2008 at 02:10 PM
I think it's ridiculous that months later there is still no conclusion to this "investigation." Grassley needs to face up and realize that he lost his ground a long time ago. It seems that he didn't realize the strong opposition he would meet in Copeland. The lengths Grassley has gone to in order to smear Copeland are just awful. It's time to end this whole thing.
Posted by: Duke | November 04, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Thanks for reminding me of this. This had kind of fallen off my radar as well, mainly because of the election.
Posted by: John Petty | November 04, 2008 at 11:23 AM