Word spread like wildfire last Friday about Pastor Creflo Dollar’s absurd fundraising request. The Atlanta-based pastor posted an online account in hopes of raising $65 million for a new private jet. Instead of asking his Lord and Savior, he asked his congregation and the general public for donations of $300 each. According to Creflo, he will need 200,000 people to donate that amount in order to reach his goal. As of yesterday, it is said that the online account has been removed. Over the weekend, the conversation came up with a friend who’s a member of Creflo’s church, World Changers Church International. The church member said that during service Creflo explained to the congregation why he needed $65 million for the “church jet.” For one, the “church jet” they currently own has had numerous mechanical problems. The jet has had several instances where himself and/or his family were traveling and issues with the jet arose. Creflo feels that the cost for fixing the jet will be an inefficient use of the church funds. Therefore, he is asking everyone to help with purchasing a new one. For two, World Changers ministry work requires Creflo to be in various cities/countries at random times. He expressed that using a commercial airline doesn’t work for him because of their flight schedules. As a minister, God’s work requires him to travel at any given moment. Delta, Southwest, Air France, for example, does not accommodate Creflo’s need, according to the church member. Although Creflo clearly has a need, the need to ask people to donate $300 is tacky. Celebrities who own jets never ask their fans to help pay for it. Also, it is tacky to put a set dollar amount on a donation. Even if the church accountant determined that’s how much it’s going to take to raise $65 million, you can’t TELL people how much they have to pay. A donation is a donation. Whether it is $5 or $200, all of it goes toward the same goal. Lastly, Creflo’s primary need to keep his family safe from harm is understood. Commercial flights experience engine failures and faulty wiring quite often. So, the safety concerns are equal when it comes to commercial vs. private. But, what makes a man too good to rearrange their schedule in order to fly commercial? Where’s the humility Creflo? This is a selfish act. Will the donating members of the church be allowed to fly round trip somewhere on the private jet? NOT! There’s nothing wrong with preaching prosperity. However, if it only applies to Creflo Dollar, then that’s where a huge problem exist. DO YOU THINK CREFLO DOLLAR’S FUNDRAISER IS JUSTIFIED? One of our contributing writers, Mark Harris, wrote a compelling article “Creflo Dollar and Losing Our Religion.” Take a minute to read it at his personal blog at www.chocolatecoveredlies.com.
