In a rare media interview, megachurch pastor Steven Furtick opened up about many things, but not the one item many wanted to know: his personal finances.
His reasoning? Furtick says it’s against what Jesus preached: “So, to go on record and say here’s how much money we’ve given and here’s what we do with our finances, to me, that would be the most arrogant thing I could do, and it would rob me of the blessings of what Jesus said, which is that when you give, you don’t get up and tell everyone how much you’ve given.”
The Elevation Church pastor came under fire in 2013 for his house size and price.
Later, he faced criticisms for spontaneous baptisms. Despite the controversy, the North Carolina-based Elevation Church has grown exponentially in recent years, donating large chunks of cash to charity, according to WCCB Charlotte.
Despite the push for transparency and the publishing of financial reports, the Charlotte Observer says questions over Furtick’s finances remain.
“Those who attend the church contribute about $500,000 to Elevation every weekend, but money matters—including Furtick’s salary—are still decided by a board of out-of-town pastors rather than locals active in the church. Unlike most churches, where lay leaders from the congregation help govern and make decisions, Furtick’s flock does not set or even know how much the pastor is paid,” the Charlotte Observer reports.
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