Lax financial oversight riles some church followers

[pstokely]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/16877951.htm

At First Family Church, money mysteries leave some of the faithful wondering: Is the church serving God’s glory or the pastor’s?
By JUDY L. THOMAS
The Kansas City Star
CHRIS OBERHOLTZ | THE KANSAS CITY STAR

Jerry Johnston, the dynamic Johnson County pastor who leads one of the fastest-growing megachurches in America, has an unusual problem.

As hundreds of new worshipers flock into his First Family Church, hundreds of others have bailed out, complaining that the pastor they once held in high esteem appears more intent on building his own kingdom than God’s.

“What he preaches from the pulpit, he doesn’t put into action,” said Bruce Shalberg, who was co-chairman of a fundraiser that he said raised millions of dollars several years ago to pay off the new church building. “You would have to call someone like that a hypocrite.”

What’s more, an examination by The Kansas City Star found that the church is structured in a way that provides little financial oversight.

[atommom]

1. That doesn't surprise me. I have relatives who once went there,

and quietly switched churches when they got too uncomfortable with the pastor. He seems to be angling for fame and fortune more than for the good of his congregation. (And, as a liberal, may I add that he's a wingnut?)

[Mabus]

2. I'm sure the Haggard situation is making parishioners take a closer look

I think Haggard's hypocrisy has really helped some parishioners take a closer look at their church leadership. They are beginning to realize that what is being preached is different from where the congregation's money goes. The mega-churches may have already hit their zenith. At least I hope they have.

[atommom]

3. Here is an interesting post with links to Christian blogs that criticize him.

Everyone is pissed!

The blogosphere is jumping into the story about megachurch pastor Jerry Johnston of Johnson County, and it isn't a pretty sight. Most of the harshest commentary is coming from Christian bloggers.

In a series of Kansas City Star stories this weekend, Johnston was shown to be hiding his books, possibly misusing donations and committing a host of other transgressions, both large and small.

First up in my review of the blogosphere is JustCara, who gets the award for being the first blogger to jump on the stories about Johnston. Cara is a tad more secular than the harshest critics, but her blog is interesting because of all the comments folks have posted about Johnston. These include comments from people who claim to be members of his church or former members.

http://hopeandpolitics.blogspot.com/2007/03/kansas-christian-bloggers-express.html

ETA that I have to take issue with this blog, that tries to make him out to be a humanist. I don't frickin' think so.

This is yet another indication of the sad results of the centered on the self humanism within evangelical circles.

http://christianresearchnetwork.com/?p=859