WASHINGTON (RNS) The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has announced members of a commission to advise a Capitol Hill review of financial reform of religious groups.
Secularists, however, say the panel’s all-evangelical leadership will be unable to police other evangelicals.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, asked the council to lead an independent review of “self-reform” of religious organizations after he concluded a three-year probe of alleged lavish spending by six major broadcast ministries.
On Wednesday (April 13), the ECFA said the 15-member panel will include Oral Roberts University President Mark Rutland, Campus Crusade for Christ President Stephen Douglass and megachurch leaders Joel Hunter and Bishop Kenneth Ulmer.
Sean Faircloth, executive director of the Secular Coalition for America, criticized the choices.
“Stacking this so-called ‘independent’ commission with people representing only one narrow religious viewpoint is entirely inappropriate,” he said.
ECFA President Dan Busby said the commission will seek advice from legal experts, leaders from a variety of faiths, and representatives of mostly secular nonprofits. The three-year process will include public meetings where anyone can make suggestions, he added.
“We have made a significant effort to set up a framework that will provide broad, broad input,” he said in an interview Thursday.
In a statement, Grassley said the commission’s mix of input is “important because some of the issues raised by my staff report apply to all charities, not just religious organizations.”
- ADELLE M. BANKS, Religion News Service
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posted April 14, 2011 at 5:09 pm
“Secularists, however, say the panel’s all-evangelical leadership will be unable to police other evangelicals.”
I’d have to agree with this statement because in my experience, evangels put themselves ahead of others and don’t give it a second thought until a different religion makes a request.
posted April 14, 2011 at 10:55 pm
A bunch of foxes in charge of the chicken coop.
posted April 15, 2011 at 12:04 pm
They’ll have such fun having their meetings and eating after them.
posted April 15, 2011 at 12:40 pm
“Secularists, however, say the panel’s all-evangelical leadership will be unable to police other evangelicals.”
The concerned secularists can put their fears to bed as well their prejudices that might drive those fears, ECFA is a very professional organization they set the standard for integrity. We use them in two of our organizations and if my newest endeavor continues to grow we will give them that ministry also.
Pingback: Joel Hunter » Evangelicals Named to Ministry Watchdog Panel
posted April 19, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Just read Joel Hunter, pingback, only because he was at Pres. Obama’s Easter breakfast. It all sounded wonderful until found the spot for the gay issue. He may be a little more progressive than most Evangelicals, but he is not there yet. He has three handsome sons, and you have to understand Rev. Hunter so do familys who have one or more gay sons mixed with their heterosexual sons. They are happy, as happy as any family could be when they have to stand up for their childrens ridicule, and not have the same respect as your boys. In many cases these people are Christians. Put yourself in their place, really put yourself there, how do you feel now?
posted April 21, 2011 at 12:55 am
homosexual soapbox H, really?