Hank has had it!

[waitingforhim]

ENRON TYPE SCANDEL EXPLODES AT CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

"Bible Answer Man" Called on to Explain Financial Misconduct

You

[papasangel]

Seems like Hank has done one heck of a job fleecing his flock if you ask me. Why would a man of God need a quarter mil salary? And then have the ministry pay for a car? He can afford that on his salary it seems to me. With all the people in the world starving and homeless that money is better spent on helping them instead of helping himself.

[refugepsa91]

:suspect: hmmmm what do you think his "flock" will do....turn their backs and run the other way....or keep sending money when (and if) he makes a public appeal about how he was being attacked by the devil...but praise the Lord I have seen the light....kind of attitude...

don't mean to be sarcastic but this article doesn't suprise me at all...typical greed. Too bad too ain't it?

thanks for posting this waitingforhim....it was a interesting read

Love and Blessings,

Angel

[papasangel]

His flock will probally tar and feather him. With good reason it seems to me. At the least he should be removed from his position.

[artsylady]

Where did this link come from?

[nebula]

I don't believe we should be acting like a bunch of sharks at a fish-fest every time a famous preacher is caught in sin.

I do feel, though, fairly angry at Mr. Hanegraaff for being guilty of one of the very things he has been consistently judging other famous preachers and teachers for.

Welcome to the WOF, Hank!

Not good.

[papasangel]

I'm sorry nebula. I have to remember that Fish are our friends not food. (taken from finding Nemo)

[nebula]

Hmmm...good question, artsylady.

I just did a Google search for this. It's coming up a little vague.

Well, this page gives the best search I could find on the matter.

I can't find waitingforhim's article, though.

EDIT: OK, found this posted on another Christian forum (christianity.com) - but no source for the article was given there, either.

[artsylady]

I received an email from my WOF brother-in-law pastor back in August that said similar, but not exactly the same thing. (As you know CRI is the enemy of the WOFers) I'm just wondering if it's legit. Also, the poster seems to be brand new here too. hmmm.

Personally, I hope it's not true myself but who knows.

[artsylady]

THis is the email I got from my brother-in-law back in August. It's dated July 26, 2004 but again, no real sources quoted. I actually saved it because I thought that one day I'd eventually get around to researching whether or not it was actually true. (Wow, what a procrastinator!)

CRI in the News Again

Do you know how donations to CRI are being utilized? Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man of the Christian Research Institute, says his radio program is a "listener supported ministry. How accountable is his ministry? How much of the funds are really going to counter the cults and equip the saints to defend historic Christianity, and how much are being misused? Does he try to silence employees who have tried to expose what is going on?

The Exit & Support Network's founder reported on CRI (Christian Research Institute) in 1995 in OIU Newsletter 4, Part 2 and compiled a report of documents, reports, testimonies from about 20 former employees (Group for CRI Accountability), and miscellaneous information outlining the character and motivations of Hanegraaff. The packet from the Group for CRI Accountable was sent out by the authors to at least 100 different groups, agencies and ministries. At that time Hank was charged with a gamut of allegations relating to misappropriation of funds, plagiarizing, abuse of employees, plus violations of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

In the last few weeks CRI (Hank Hanegraaff) came under strong scrutiny again. Several CRI employees, concerned about CRI's misuse of ministry funds, tried to bring accountability (i.e., contacting ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability), but they were fired, let go, or ended up handing in their resignations. The number that have been "purged" has been estimated at half of Hanegraaff's staff, which would be over 10 to 15 people. This sounds similar to the past when others left CRI, or were wrongfully terminated for speaking up. Altogether there have been about 125 or more former employees that have, in one way or another, left CRI over the last 12 years, although not all have been willing to come forward. When ECFA investigated CRI in March 2003, they found out that sufficient internal controls were not in place and CRI had "breached compliance" with three out of seven of the key member standards: board governance, financial control and policies, and use of ministry resources.

When the Exit & Support Network phoned the ECFA in 1996 and asked about CRI's income, they were told that, as of June 30, 1996, CRI's annual income was $5.4 million. In 2003 CRI is now a $9.3 million ministry. Hank speaks against the prosperity gospel, exposing its teachings as heretical, yet he continually begs for financial assistance from his listeners. Many times he states that the ministry is in a "financial crisis," "falling further and further behind," or needs an "emergency gift right away," and if we don't raise "such and such" by a certain date, we will be "forced to make tough decisions." Then he appeals to his listeners to "send your most generous gift." However, Hank is known to drive a $66,000 blue Lexus sc, is a member of the country club (approximate $1500 dues a month), and receives a salary of $251,886, plus a $17,301 expense account (with raises each year). This is almost as outrageous as what groups such as Worldwide Church of God and Philadelphia Church of God have been accused of. In addition, Hank's wife receives a yearly salary of $87,600 for "director of planning," which doesn't include her $1,660 expense account.

In 1999 CRI had three board members. Today they have five members who receive large salaries. For instance, one of their board members is Paul Young who, in 2002, is reported to have received $130,000. The other employees live at near poverty wages with very poor benefits.

CRI employees said they will "pay back" the substantial amount of money that was misused and do a better job of tracking spending money. Given his track record, how much can Hanegraaff really be trusted? Any ministry that has received the allegations that he has received needs to be investigated thoroughly.

Hanegraaff and the connection to WCG

Hank Hanegraaff was known to be instrumental in helping Worldwide Church of God to become accepted by outside evangelicals. Several CRI personnel acted as apologists on behalf of the WCG. [see Letters to Hank Hanegraaff] Hank was present at Joseph Tkach Sr.'s funeral and was photographed embracing Joseph Tkach Jr. (this photo appeared in the Oct. 1995 Worldwide News) Hank Hanegraaff wrote to CRI supporters in October 1996 that the Institute is committed to "actively assisting WCG leaders in mapping strategies for evangelizing the unconverted in the church's [WCG's] own ranks."

Exit & Support Network