Religion briefs: Saturday, July 19, 2008
Religion briefs: Saturday, July 19, 2008

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Published: July 19, 2008

Making changes

WASHINGTON — Ministries headed by evangelists Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn are changing the way they operate even as a Senate probe into alleged lavish spending by six prominent ministries continues, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said recently.

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"Both Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn have indicated that they are instituting reforms without waiting for the committee to complete its review,” said Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, in an update on the investigation he began last year.

"Self-reform can be faster and more effective than government regulation.”

Grassley's update noted instances of "whistleblower intimidation” in which former employees "have received phone calls reminding them of their confidentiality agreements and threatening lawsuits if the agreements are breached.”

Jill Gerber, a spokeswoman for the committee, would not disclose which ministries were involved in such calls, and declined to elaborate on the chan-ges planned at Hinn's and Meyer's ministries.

Broadcaster Kenneth Copeland has reportedly said his Texas-based ministry will not respond even if a subpoena is issued.

Love traits

•"Love as a Way of Life: Seven Traits That Will Transform Your Relationships” by Gary Chapman (Doubleday, $19.95) .

Gary Chapman's name will forever be associated with the word love, thanks to his best-selling book "The Five Love Languages.” In this guide, the ordained minister and marriage counselor gives readers a whole-life approach for creating better relationships not only with their significant other but with co-workers, family and others.

With the help of real-life anecdotes, quizzes and exercises, the book shows how to put these ideals into practice and therefore cultivate an attitude of love in the most ordinary of interactions.

Church safety

GuideOne Insurance is sponsoring a "Keeping America's Churches Safe” poster contest.

Artists have a chance to win $50 and have their artwork featured in a 2009 calendar.

Posters should depict a scenario involving travel safety, fire prevention, storm and weather preparation, playground and playroom rules, youth camp safety, protecting elderly members or other church-related safety and security situations.

Artists must be 18 or younger and create posters horizontally on an 8½-by-11-inch sheet of paper using crayons, markers, paint or other materials.

Entry deadline is July 31, 2008.

For more information, go online to www.guide

one.Churches/calendar

contest.pdf.

From Staff and Wire Reports