Statement of Concern (Press Release)
By Apostle Cedric Moss


February 11, 2003, 11:00 a.m.

First of all, I would like to say a special thanks to you, the members of the local press, and other well wishers for your attendance at this press conference this morning.

This morning I would like to begin by quoting a few verses from the book of Proverbs that have helped to shape my conviction and the sense of responsibility that I have for the matter about which I am expressing concern.

They are taken from Proverbs 31:8-9. It says:

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Ladies and gentlemen, as this Proverb describes, my voice is a voice for the thousands of people who have been financially burdened by the financial practices of some churches and ministers. I believe that, without voices to speak on their behalf, they are at risk of being burdened again, and again. Largely, but not exclusively, these without a voice are the poor and needy.

Today, in seeking to serve the Church and our nation at large, I am releasing a 10 page Statement of Concern. This is no light matter, I am very much aware of the importance of this Statement.

This public statement follows weeks of prayer, personal reflection and Godly counsel from many individuals at home and abroad. It also follows reasonable and gracious due process that was given to ALL of the parties whose names are mentioned. It is the same kind of due process that I would wish for if ever anyone had concerns about me and/or my personal ministry or the congregation that I am privileged to lead and serve.

In the 10-page statement, I took the time to chronicle the development of this matter. In addition, I have detailed my efforts to try to address my concerns without having to publicize the information that I am constrained to share this morning. Those efforts have failed.

As you can appreciate, I do not plan to read the Statement of Concern in its entirety but a digital and hard copy is being made available to each of you today. The Statement provides chronological and specific details regarding everything that I will briefly now refer to.

You might be aware that, in less than 2 weeks, Dr. Juanita Bynum will be returning to Nassau to be the keynote speaker at a 5 day event scheduled for Clifford Park. This event is being spearheaded by Bishop Neil Ellis and other local church leaders.

Dr. Bynum is no stranger to the Bahamas, having spoken here on at least 3 previous occasions of which I am aware.

Recently, without soliciting any information, persons whom I deem to be credible and close to the events about which they were speaking, have advised me and alleged that Dr. Juanita Bynum’s compensation for speaking engagements in the Bahamas, prior to 2002, has been a pre-arrangement of 50% of the offerings she raised. I was also advised of her methodology for raising offerings.

Specifically, on two separate occasions, it is alleged that Dr. Bynum received approximately $25,000 and $125,000 respectively for speaking engagements in the Bahamas. It is further alleged that these amounts represented payment in accordance with the 50% of the offerings pre-arrangement….meaning that offerings of approximately $50,000 and $250,000 would have supposedly been raised by Dr. Bynum.

This information gave me and still gives me grave concern especially in light of her impending return to the Bahamas at an event that is expected to be hundreds of times bigger than the ones in question.

Without fear of contradiction, I say unequivocally that the practice of setting upfront fixed amounts or percentages to speak to or minister to the people of God is inconsistent with the Word of God, contrary to the Spirit of Christ and opposite to the way of the Kingdom of God. Even if the amounts were nominal (and they are not and I do not believe that a reasonable person would find them to be) the principle of such upfront requirements is wrong.

However, beyond the alleged 50% of the offerings pre-arrangement, and the amounts received, the alleged manner in which the offerings were raised is also of grave concern to me. It is alleged that people were encouraged/asked to give specific amounts based on prophetic words/insights with promises of financial blessings in return. It is alleged that amounts as high as $25,000 were given one occasion.

All of this raises an obvious question: What are the compensation arrangements for Dr. Bynum’s upcoming speaking engagement in the Bahamas? Is it 50% of the offerings or a fixed amount or some combination of both? Or, is it an aggressive offering that she or others will raise for her? Clearly, these and other questions need to be answered. Concerning her requirements and compensation for previous speaking engagements in the Bahamas, I have written Dr. Bynum. To date, I have received no response. Accordingly, I publicly call on Dr. Bynum to:

1. Confirm whether or not her financial pre-arrangement for speaking engagements in the Bahamas prior to 2002 was 50% of the offerings raised.

2. Confirm or deny whether, prior to 2002, she received approximately $25,000 for one occasion and approximately $125,000 for another, each in fulfillment of a 50% of the offerings arrangement.
If she denies having received these approximate amounts, I call upon Dr. Bynum to fully disclose the total dollar amount of monies she received in connection with each of her ministry events in the Bahamas through December 31, 2002.

3. Substantiate Biblically the practice of any minister setting offering percentages or fixed dollar amounts as compensation for them speaking to the people of God as a servant of Jesus Christ.

4. Fully and frankly disclose the written and or verbal compensation arrangements and cost coverage for her and her team for the upcoming 5 day event.

In light of the past allegations regarding compensation and the public nature of this event, all of these requests are reasonable.

In the process of addressing the allegations that came to me, I spoke with Bishop Neil Ellis. During our conversation, Bishop Ellis advised that he has 192 pastors supporting this event and that the Budget was $286,000. He further advised that, although he was not sure, he reasonably expected to have half of the budget met prior to the start of the event. I told Bishop Ellis that, in light of my concerns about the potential manner in which the offerings might be taken, and the huge church support that he is claiming, he and those leaders with him should make a decision for the supporting churches to fully fund the services and announce a ZERO offerings policy for those who would attend.

I specifically indicated to Bishop Ellis that if he agreed to a ZERO offerings decision, I would not need to make any public statement about the allegations that had come to me simply because this would have protected the people. Bishop Ellis did not accept my suggestion.

I followed up my conversation to Bishop Ellis with a letter to which I received no reply to date.

Although Bishop Ellis mentioned to me a budget amount of $286,000 for the event, I have heard (not from him) another amount of $500,000. In addition, although I did not see the interview/advertisement myself, I am told that when questioned recently on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) regarding the budget for this event, Bishop Ellis said he would rather not say. The reasonable question to Bishop Ellis’ alleged response is, “Why not?” What is so secret about the budget?

I am also told that during that same interview Bishop Ellis acknowledged some financial support from the Bahamas government. My question is, “How much?” It has been my experience that the budget for such events is publicly disclosed because the objective is only to cover the budget and not to make money beyond it. Accordingly, I believe that this budget should be no different. A reasonable question then is, “Why has the budget amount and details not been made public?”

My concern is that in the process of raising offerings to meet whatever the budget is, the manner in which offerings may be raised might be consistent with what persons have alleged. If this is the case, I believe that many people may feel compelled to give in a manner that is totally contrary to Scripture.

In light of all this, I publicly call upon Bishop Ellis to:

1. Explain the reasoning for refusing to allow the supporting churches to fund the “revival” that they say is here, especially when they are financially capable of doing so.

2. Fully and frankly disclose the budget and all income amounts and sources and expenses related to the event. This would obviously relate to any form of financial support from the Bahamas government and Dr. Bynum’s agreed and eventual compensation and cost coverage.

3. Because this event has the overtones of a public one, I am calling on Bishop Ellis to encourage Dr. Bynum to provide answers to the questions being asked of her in this Statement of Concern.

Prior to making this public statement, I also spoke with and wrote to Bishop Samuel Greene, President of the Bahamas Christian Council. Bishop Greene verbally promised to get back to me one week ago.

In addition to asking Bishop Greene to encourage Bishop Ellis to adopt a ZERO offerings policy, I asked him to convene a wide forum for Church leaders to discuss financial reform in the Church where we can share Biblical and practical insights on best practices in funding the work of God. I have not heard anything further from Bishop Greene.

Accordingly, I now call upon Bishop Greene to make a public statement regarding The Bahamas Christian Council’s position on financial pre-arrangements by ministers, and the need for financial reform in the Church in the Bahamas.

I conclude this press statement similar to how I began….by quoting a passage from the book of Proverbs. The second passage is Proverbs 24:11-12 and this is what it says:

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

This, ladies and gentlemen, is an appeal consistent with Proverbs 24:11-12. I ask that you use your powerful platforms of mass media to make the public aware of this Statement of Concern so that they can make informed decisions about the upcoming event…whether they should attend and if they do, how or if they would financially support it. In this regard, I ask that you specifically note in your coverage of this matter the following ways that the general public can access the full Statement of Concern, and the one page Summary Statement of Concern:

- Right here at www.bahamasissues.com
- Go here to view the press conference online www.kingdom-life.org
- Request a copy via e-mail: info@kingdom-life.org
- To request a copy via telefax call: 394-0621
- Stop by the administrative offices of Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre, No. 25 Chesapeake Road and obtain a copy.

Again thank you for your attendance this morning and I am available for questions and further interviews.

Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre, Nassau, Bahamas. Further requests for information should be directed to him via e-mail at: apostle@kingdom-life.org.

Statement of Concern (Summary)
By Apostle Cedric Moss

February 11, 2003

Purpose of this Summary

This document broadly summarizes the issues contained in a 10 page Statement of Concern which I have prepared and released today regarding an upcoming event, scheduled for Clifford Park, February 24th- 28th, 2003, at which Dr. Juanita Bynum is the keynote speaker. Anyone desirous of getting a full appreciation of my concerns should read the full Statement of Concern which is available through the following options:

- Here at www.bahamasissues.com
- Request a copy via e-mail: info@kingdom-life.org
- Request a copy via telefax: 393-8262
- Stop by the administrative offices of Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre, No. 25 Chesapeake Road and obtain a copy.

Specifics of My Concern

Recently, without soliciting any information, persons whom I deem to be credible and close to the events about which they were speaking, have advised me and alleged that Dr. Juanita Bynum’s compensation for speaking engagements in the Bahamas, prior to 2002, has been a pre-arrangement of 50% of the offerings she raised. I was also advised of her methodology for raising offerings.

Specifically, on two separate occasions, I’m advised that Dr. Bynum received approximately $25,000 and $125,000 respectively for speaking engagements in the Bahamas.

This information gave me and still gives me grave concern.

Addressing My Concerns

I spoke with and wrote to Bishop Neil Ellis, Sr. Pastor of Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church, who recently hosted Dr. Bynum at his church and is scheduled to do so again at an upcoming event in February 2003, and shared my concerns with him. Our conversation did not produce an outcome that I felt would protect the best interest of the Church and Bahamian public at large (a public commitment and statement of ZERO offerings for the event with Dr. Bynum).

Accordingly, I spoke with and wrote to Bishop Samuel Greene, President of the Bahamas Christian Council, asking him to help Bishop Ellis to see the prudence in my suggestion of ZERO offerings for the event with Dr. Bynum. There was no result from this effort.

I also wrote to Dr. Juanita Bynum, with copies to Bishops Ellis and Greene but did not receive any reply from her. Therefore, I have produced the aforementioned 10 page Statement of Concern which is the discharging of my duty to be faithful with the unsolicited information that came to me.

Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre, Nassau, Bahamas. Comments and feedback may be directed to him via e-mail at: apostle@kingdom-life.org.

Statement of Concern
By Apostle Cedric Moss

Nassau, Bahamas
February 11, 2003

The Introduction to My Concern

As an Apostle in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Senior Pastor of a local church in our nation, after much personal soul searching, prayer and wide counsel, at home and abroad, I am releasing this Statement of Concern for the sole purpose of serving the good of the Church at home and abroad. I have no other purpose.

Having been convicted by the following Proverb, I speak for those who cannot speak for themselves:

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV

Although I am releasing this Statement of Concern alone, there are other church leaders in our nation who stand behind me. I came to the decision to release the Statement alone because I recognize the occupational hazards of openly sharing such a statement, two of which I will mention. Prominent among the occupational hazards is that of becoming judgemental and in so doing fall prey to the very thing that you protest against. Being conscious of this very serious hazard, by God’s grace I have done and will continue to do my utmost to not be judgemental in word or spirit.

The second hazard, which is no less serious than the first, is that of being cut off by fellow ministers who, for whatever reason, might object to this Statement of Concern being shared publicly. Knowing the hearts of those who support me, and that they are not prone to judgementalism, it is this second hazard that concerns me most for them, and thus their names are left off. I want to spare them what I am told is the real possibility of them paying a similar relational price that I might have to pay. I have considered the price and I am, by God’s grace, willing and able to pay it. The value that I believe this Statement of Concern will bring to the Church of Jesus Christ and our nation exceeds that price by far.

Sadly, my observation is that sometimes the ministerial brotherhood is like what we are told about the Masonic lodge. I understand that in lodges your brother can do no wrong…no matter what he does or says…. what you saw you did not see and what you heard you did not hear. This might be a myth and an extreme analogy but it does express what I have felt as I have over the years tried to appropriately express views about situations involving the Church and ministers that others felt ought not to be shared publicly or at all. In the past I have tried to be responsible in choosing the appropriate manner and forum for sharing such views. This occasion is no different.

This public statement follows weeks of prayer, personal reflection and Godly counsel from many individuals at home and abroad. In it, serious allegations are made and the names of people are called. Therefore, this is no light matter. I am very much aware of its gravity.

It also follows reasonable and gracious due process that was given to ALL of the parties whose names are mentioned. It is the same kind of due process that I would wish for if ever anyone had concerns about me and/or my personal ministry or the congregation that I am privileged to lead and serve.

The Motivation of My Concern

No doubt there are some who will question my motive. Some already have. As I prepared my heart to release this Statement of Concern, I reflected on the life of Martin Luther, the great protestant reformer who has gone on before us. No doubt he thought about what people might think his motive was as he wrote and nailed his 95 theses on the door of the church building in Wittenburg. I’m also glad that he evidently was not over conscious of what other people were thinking about his motive. Neither am I. I’m thankful he did not send the pope a letter: The Church would probably still be in the dark ages. Luther felt that the issues needed to be made known publicly. He wanted a discussion…he got a revolution and the reformation of which we are all beneficiaries. Some no doubt thought he wanted to be pope. That did not stop him. I believe his heart was, and I know my heart is, upright before the Lord. He was simply trying to be obedient and faithful to the light that God was shining on his path and so am I.

When few people were on Martin Luther’s side of the issues, one of his friends told him, “Martin, the whole world is against you.” Martin shouted to his friend, “Tell the whole world I’m against them!” Martin’s resolve was not because he was brave. It was because he was right. I share Martin Luther’s resolute response and stance…I stand against all who will stand against the Scriptural reform of Church financial practices.

The Background to my concern

In December 2002, I and 3 other church leaders from the Bahamas attended an invitation only gathering of Church leaders in an Apostolic Network presently represented in more than 70 nations around the world. This event was held outside of the Bahamas. At this gathering, the host referred to the alleged offerings practices of an unnamed woman and validated what he said by pointing to the pastor who had hosted her at his church.

During the lunch break, immediately after that session, I and the other church leaders from the Bahamas providentially ended up sitting at the same table with the pastor who hosted this unnamed lady over lunch: We got to lunch a bit late and there were no other seats. Prior to this none of us had ever met him. We spoke very briefly and the pastor indicated that the unnamed woman was Dr. Juanita Bynum. Although I and the other church leaders were aware that Dr. Bynum was scheduled to return to the Bahamas in February 2003, we did not probe or try to find out details and specifics about her financial practices which he indicated that he had experienced. The reason is that we were not looking for information.

On Thursday, January 16, 2003, I received an unsolicited phone call from a local pastor with whom I am acquainted but do not have a personal relationship with. He called to say that he agreed with my statements in my Kingdom View column, published weekly in the Nassau Guardian, in which I denied that revival had come to our nation. This pastor went on to allege that on a previous occasion when Dr. Juanita Bynum spoke at a church in the Bahamas (prior to October 2002) she allegedly received around $60,000. The amount seemed ridiculous to me and I flatly told him I did not believe it. Accordingly, I decided to seek to verify the amount for myself. I spoke with the pastor who hosted Dr. Bynum in the presence of two other pastors, and asked him to verify for me the accuracy of the $60,000 figure. The pastor advised that a financial pre-agreement had been entered into to give Dr. Bynum 50% of the offerings raised and a little over $250,000 was raised. Obviously, I was very concerned by this admission.

In the process of trying to come to grips with what I, from a Scriptural viewpoint, considered to be inappropriate terms and compensation for someone who comes in the name of the Lord, I became aware that Dr. Bynum had spoken at churches in the Bahamas on more than one occasion. About another occasion in the Bahamas, allegations were made that Dr. Bynum received approximately $25,000, again 50% of the offerings.

In light of the offerings allegations that came to me recently, on January 23, 2003, I telephoned the pastor I had met in December 2002 to learn first hand of his experience with Dr. Bynum. Both his verbal and e-mailed allegations gave me further concern.

Burdened by all of what the Lord had providentially allowed to come before me, I prayerfully began to consider my responsibility. I studied relevant Scripture passages in addition to seeking wide counsel from servants of the Lord at home and abroad. The bottom line counsel I received was that God has raised me up at this hour to help bring reform to Church financial practices. He was also divinely directing me to be faithful with what He had allowed me to become aware of and I needed to do so in ways consistent with Scriptural principles.

The Due Process of My Concern

Prior to releasing this Statement of Concern, I afforded reasonable Biblical due process to ALL of the persons whose names are mentioned herein.

On January 27, 2003, I spoke with Bishop Neil Ellis, Sr. Pastor of Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church, who recently hosted Dr. Bynum at his church and is scheduled to do so again at an upcoming Clifford Park event in last week of February 2003. I shared my concerns regarding the typical 50% of offerings “financial pre-arrangement” it is alleged that Dr. Bynum used and got in the Bahamas prior to 2002. Bishop Ellis advised that he had no pre-arrangement with Dr. Bynum for the October 2002 event held at his church: He advised me that he raised an offering for her on that occasion as compensation. Regarding the upcoming February 2003 event, Bishop Ellis advised that, at the time of our conversation, January 27, 2003, no arrangements had been made. He further indicated that he has never and would never agree to such “financial pre-arrangements” with anyone.

In the process of our talk, Bishop Ellis advised that 192 pastors are supporting the “Revival Is Here!” initiative and the budget is $286,000. Bishop Ellis also shared that he felt there was a possibility that approximately half of the budget would be met by non-church donations prior to the event and therefore less emphasis would be placed on offerings to meet the budget. Considering such strong support and in light of the budget amount, I suggested to Bishop Ellis that it would be a strong statement to the world if the many churches supporting the “Revival Is Here!” initiative would fund it out of their own financial resources and make a public policy statement of ZERO offerings for the event. In addition to sending a strong statement to the world, I indicated to Bishop Ellis that such a decision would address my immediate concern about the possibility of the alleged offering raising methods of Dr. Bynum being used since ZERO offerings would be raised. Further, I advised Bishop Ellis that if he agreed to a ZERO offerings decision, I would not need to make any public statement about the allegations that had come to me simply because that decision would have protected the people. Bishop Ellis still did not accept my suggestion.

To show my own good faith in suggesting the ZERO offerings policy, I advised Bishop Ellis that even though I and my church are not in support of the “Revival Is Here!” initiative, we would give the same equal amount that the supporting churches would give to meet the $286,000 prior to the event. Still, Bishop Ellis did not accept my suggestion.

I followed up my January 27th conversation with Bishop Ellis with a letter dated January 31st and hand delivered on February 3rd (Appendix 1). To date, I have received no reply.

Although Bishop Ellis mentioned to me a budget amount of $286,000 for the event, I have heard (not from him) another amount of $500,000. In addition, although I did not see the interview/advertisement myself, I am told that when questioned recently on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) regarding the budget for this event, Bishop Ellis said he would rather not say. The reasonable question to Bishop Ellis’ alleged response is, “Why not, what is so secret about the budget?”

I am also told that during that same interview Bishop Ellis acknowledged some financial support from the Bahamas government. My question is, “How much?”

It has been my experience that the budget for such events is publicly disclosed because the objective is only to cover the budget and not to make money beyond it. Accordingly, I believe that this budget should be no different. A reasonable question then is, “Why has the budget amount and details not been made public?”

My concern about the budget is that, in the process of raising offerings to meet whatever amount the budget is, the manner in which offerings may be raised might be consistent with what persons have alleged. If this is the case, I believe that many people may feel compelled to give in a manner that is totally contrary to Scripture.

In light of all this, I publicly call upon Bishop Ellis to:

1. Explain the reasoning for refusing to allow the supporting churches to fund the “revival” that they say is here, especially when they are financially capable of doing so.

2. Fully and frankly disclose the budget and all income amounts and sources and expenses related to the event. This would obviously relate to any form of financial support (or in kind support) from the Bahamas government and Dr. Bynum’s agreed and eventual compensation and cost coverage.

3. Because this event has the overtones of a public one, I am calling on Bishop Ellis to encourage Dr. Bynum to provide answers to the questions being asked of her in this Statement of Concern.

I decided I would make another attempt to encourage Bishop Ellis to see it would be prudent to agree to a ZERO offerings policy so on January 29th I asked Bishop Samuel Greene, President of The Bahamas Christian Council, to speak with him. Bishop Greene and I subsequently spoke briefly on January 30th and he promised to get back to me.

I followed up my phone conversations with Bishop Greene with a letter dated January 31st and hand delivered on February 3rd (Appendix 2).

On February 4th, I attended the Bahamas Christian Council’s monthly meeting for the specific purpose of following up with Bishop Greene. He advised that Bishop Ellis was away and I again indicated my preference to not address this matter publicly but at the same time I would not draw back from my responsibility. While Bishop Greene said I should do whatever I felt I needed to, I have not received any reply to my letter from him.

On January 30th, I made 3 separate attempts to speak with Dr. Juanita Bynum’s office by telephone but was unsuccessful due to unhelpful automated phone recordings. Therefore, on January 31st, I wrote to Dr. Bynum and had the letter delivered to her office by overnight courier (Appendix 3). To date, I have received no reply.

The bottom line of the due process is this: Had Bishop Ellis agreed to a ZERO offerings policy and publicly announced the same, you would not be reading this Statement of Concern. I would have been faithful to my responsibility to the Church and the public at large regarding the allegations that had come to me. Then, after the “Revival Is Here!” event was over, my next step would have been to encourage The Bahamas Christian Council to convene a forum in which moral suasion could be used to cause Church leaders to embrace Scriptural Church financial reform.

The Specifics of My Concern

1. Financial disclosure is needed for the “Revival Is Here!” event

In my view, since the “Revival Is Here!” event is being promoted as a national one. Therefore, all aspects of the budgeted and actual finances should be disclosed to the Church and nation.

I call upon Bishop Ellis to follow the courageous lead of the Hon. Neville Wisdom, Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture, who allowed an independent accounting firm to prepare financial statements for the recent controversial Junkanoo parades. Sir, do the same and let an independent accounting firm prepare financial statements for this event…. allow the nation and the world to see. Let us be informed: From whom were monies received and how much, and to whom and for what were monies paid, and how much? After all, as I understand it, you have been saying that this “revival” is for the nation and the world. Please then show us.

I call on the 192 supporting pastors to require financial disclosure…ask Bishop Ellis to share written details of the budget, the expenses and the revenue for the initiative. .

2. We need to protect our people from financial exploitation

I believe that Church leaders and government officials have a God given responsibility to protect their people from financial exploitation wherever it might occur. Sadly, financial exploitation of people takes place today in some unlikely places: churches and church related events. It is done by some unlikely people: some who come in the Name of the Lord.

I take this opportunity to draw attention to a popular practice of some ministers who, in the tradition of Balaam, the first prophet for hire, abuse prophecy to manipulate people to give. These prophecies are almost always very positive, but they are seductive and not from God. Further draw attention to the words of the Lord Jesus about false prophets in His first public sermon recorded in Matthew 7:15-23. Jesus said that false prophets will cite their wonderful, powerful prophetic ministry done in His name. While Jesus never refutes that they did indeed prophesy in His name, He tells them something we should all note and remember ….. “I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of iniquity.”

Church leaders, you are responsible to not expose the flock of God to the false ministers described by Jesus in Matthew 7:15 as “wolves in sheep clothing” and by Apostle Paul in 2nd Corinthians 11:15 as “masqueraders of righteousness”. It is my sincere, informed conviction that all ministers who engage in or encourage unchristian financial practices such as the ones which are being addressed in this Statement of Concern would fit both of these descriptions by the Lord Jesus and Apostle Paul.

It is interesting to note the common denominator between Jesus identifying false prophets as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” and Apostle Paul branding them as “masqueraders of righteousness” ……their lack of true concern for the people and how they abuse them (see especially 2nd Corinthians 11 & 12).

Fellow Church leaders, it is generally the hardworking people who find it difficult to make ends meet who are most vulnerable in situations where aggressive, manipulative offerings are raised. For many of them, when told by ministers to “plant a financial seed” with the promise of a BIG financial harvest, they do so to their own financial hurt. I appeal to you and remind you of your responsibility before the Lord to protect God’s flock from financial and other harm.

Church members, I urge you to commit to being more discerning. If an angel tells to you give a special offering, ALWAYS pray first and then obey God (trust me the angel would not be offended!). Not every offering request dressed up with Bible verses and moving stories is from God. Trust the inner witness of the Holy Spirit and do not allow seduction, manipulation and aggression to cause you to give to your own hurt. God does not call you to do that.

3. We need Church financial reformation

We are living in a day when God is reforming the Church. Church financial practices and management are key areas that are crying out for reform and the Lord through His Holy Spirit is demanding that we do so. It is no longer acceptable for those who come in the Lord’s name to take or receive amounts that would be considered excessive, outlandish compensation by reasonable standards. Equally so it is no longer acceptable for Church leaders to agree to or to give such compensation. This is especially true when manipulation, intimidation and plain craftiness are used to raise the funds.

In particular we must put a stop to the practice where foreign BIG NAME celebrity speakers come and either in word demand or by reputation expect outlandish financial compensation and cost coverage. The Church has always survived without persons who make such demands and in my view will do better without them. Requesting outlandish fixed daily amounts and percentages of offerings are contrary to the sacrificial leadership values upon which the Church was built. These practices are unacceptable and must stop.

Going forward, the raising of offerings and the compensation of ministers must reflect the Scriptural reformation that God is seeking to bring to the Church.

4. We need Exchange Control compliance

If the dollar amounts Dr. Bynum is alleged to have received from previous speaking engagements in the Bahamas are true, we as a country have reason to be very concerned. I do not know the extent to which the Central Bank would have been involved, if at all (if the allegations are true), with any approvals for amounts alleged to have been paid to Dr. Bynum.

In my view, this is an issue that the Government, perhaps with the assistance of the Christian Council, needs to look at.

The Implications of my concern

If you have read this Statement of Concern in its entirety to this point, I believe that you are by now convinced that there are weighty implications for the Church at large, leaders and members. In my view, the implications are earth shaking beyond the Church in the Bahamas. We must all come to a conviction one way or the other concerning this matter, in sincerity before the Lord. The issues raised are too major for anyone to be silent. What do you say? In addition, they are too clear for anyone to be uncertain where he stands: In my view there is no fence to sit upon. Where do you stand?

Clearly, there are questions to be answered. As it relates to Dr. Bynum, I call upon her to:

1. Confirm whether or not her financial pre-arrangement for speaking engagements in the Bahamas prior to 2002 was 50% of the offerings raised.

2. Confirm or deny whether, prior to 2002, she received approximately $25,000 for one occasion and approximately $125,000 for another, each in fulfillment of a 50% of the offerings arrangement.

If she denies having received these approximate amounts, I call upon Dr. Bynum to fully disclose the total dollar amount of monies she received in connection with each of her ministry events in the Bahamas through December 31, 2002.

3. Substantiate Biblically the practice of any minister setting offering percentages or fixed dollar amounts as compensation for them speaking to the people of God as a servant of Jesus Christ.

4. Fully and frankly disclose the written and or verbal compensation arrangements and cost coverage for her and her team for the upcoming 5 day event.

In light of the past allegations regarding compensation and the public nature of this event, all of these requests are reasonable.

There are implications for Bishop Ellis and I publicly call upon him to:

1. Explain the reasoning for refusing to allow the supporting churches to fund the “revival” that they say is here, especially when they are financially capable of doing so.

2. Fully and frankly disclose the budget and all income amounts and sources and expenses related to the event. This would obviously relate to any form of financial support from the Bahamas government and Dr. Bynum’s agreed and eventual compensation and cost coverage.

3. Because this event has the overtones of a public one, I am calling on Bishop Ellis to encourage Dr. Bynum to provide answers to the questions being asked of her in this Statement of Concern.

Because the general nature of the issues being addressed are very relevant to the Church in our nation, I publicly call upon Bishop Samuel Greene to make a public statement regarding The Bahamas Christian Council’s position on financial pre-arrangements by ministers, and the need for financial reform in the Church in the Bahamas.

Last, because the wider public interest has to be served, I call upon the press, local and international (Christian magazines, newspapers, radio stations, talk shows, and television stations), to use your powerful platforms to encourage open dialogue on the issues raised in this Statement of concern, in addition to following up with the various parties from whom you feel answers and explanations should be forth coming.

The Conclusion of my concern

I conclude this Statement of Concern the way I began…by stating my sole purpose for it; to be faithful to the Lord, and His Church and to serve the fine people of this nation. The unfolding of events as I have truthfully outlined attest to my sole purpose.

Some who misunderstand true unity are no doubt saying that this Statement of Concern is divisive. Well, it is…..but in a positive way. Apostle Paul told the Church at Corinth that divisions among them were necessary because it would show those who have God’s approval and those who did not (1st Corinthians 11:18-19). My prayer is that this Statement of Concern helps to better define the clear line between those who wish to buy and sell in the Church versus those who want to restore it to a true House of prayer for ALL nations and people, of all walks of life.

Some have made unity an idol they worship at any price, even the price of compromise and sin. They have mistaken a show of unity for true unity. Strength is only in TRUE unity, not in a show of unity. Many pastors laugh and smile with one another while posing for news paper pictures and then they go off and back stab and back bite their bothers with whom they just smiled.

This Statement of Concern issues the Lord’s clarion call to all Church leaders (myself included) to again consider our ways and see the ministry height from which we have fallen. It urges us to return to the high place of serving out of the conviction of an irresistible call, and not based on money. It calls us to recommit to the qualities of selfless, sacrificial, servant leadership that the Church was built upon and thrived upon.

To Church members a different but complimentary call is issued. This is the day for the saints to begin to arise to new levels of maturity. Your call is to stop being mesmerized by human personalities and return to single, sincere devotion to Christ and Christ alone. You are being called to follow the example of the saints at Berea who gladly received the Word of God from Paul but also daily sought the Scriptures for themselves to ensure that what Paul was saying was indeed true (Acts 17:11). You are being called to not compromise God’s Word just because a BIG NAME celebrity preacher tells you something different and his or her following is large. Hitler’s following was large also.

The great reformers like Martin Luther and William Tyndale gave their lives to make the Word of God available to the saints. This is not a time to be caught up in the “election like” activity of the “Revival Is Here!” campaign. Instead become captivated again with Christ and the Word of God. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, diligently search the Scriptures for yourself to see if the issues raised in this Statement of Concern are true.

The Bottom line of this Statement of Concern is that I have now been faithful to responsibly steward the allegations that have come to me for the good of the Church and our nation: To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

I pray that, like Martin Luther’s 95 theses nailed on the door of an obscure church building in Wittenburg, this 10 page Statement of Concern evokes a process that leads to lasting reformation of Church financial practices and management in our nation and to the ends of the earth.

Church members, your leaders should lead the obvious necessary discussions of the issues contained in this statement. Give them some time to do so. But if they do not, I urge you to raise these issues with the utmost respect for your leader’s and their place of authority in your life. If they dance and dodge and avoid discussion, then I suggest that you join the saints all over the earth who desire to reform all aspects of the Church and begin the revolution that will lead to that desired reformation.

I believe that there will be a modern protestant movement against the kinds of financial practices being addressed in this Statement of Concern. As I was recently reminded by an insightful apostolic leader, Martin Luther’s number one gripe with Catholicism was the sale of indulgences in the church. In other words, the first reformation primarily attacked the unclean greedy money system of selling indulgences in the Church. Similarly, this reformation is also attacking a sick institutional system in the Church that is laced with greed and selfishness.

The establishment of Martin Luther’s day did not allow for discussion. Therefore, they got revolution. My prayer is that our process will be meaningful discussions that will lead to reformation. Failing that, with others, I will gladly welcome revolution as the means to lasting reformation based on God’s Word.

Similar to how I began this Statement of Concern with a Scripture from the Book of Proverbs, I conclude with another that has shaped my conviction and strengthened my resolve in this matter:

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
Proverbs 24:11-12 NIV

Friend, if you are similarly convicted, I ask you to develop a firm resolve to help…your voice will make a huge difference. I ask you to join the cause. Yes, it is unpopular…but it is both right and righteous.

Appendix 1-

January 31, 2003

By Hand

Strictly Private & Confidential

Bishop Neil C. Ellis
Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church
Pinewood Gardens
Nassau, Bahamas

Dear Bishop Ellis:

Warm Kingdom greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us.

I am glad that we were able to talk on Monday past concerning the issue of the unsolicited allegations that have come to my attention regarding the typical “financial pre-arrangements” of Dr. Juanita Bynum and the manner in which it is alleged that she raises offerings.

As I mentioned to you, based on the $286,000 budget amount that you indicated, the vast number of churches you said are in support and the possibility of receiving non-church funding for about 50% of the amount, I see no reason why this event cannot be funded in advance and a ZERO offerings policy for the event adopted and publicized. Further, I advised you that this approach would address my immediate concern about how offerings might be raised and I would not have to make any public statements about the allegations that have come to me.

At the end of our conversation, since I was not able to convince you on my ZERO offerings suggestion, I shared with you that I still had concerns. I also promised that I would give you due process concerning what I felt mandated and obligated to do in light of the allegations that had come to me and it is in this regard that I am now writing.

Since my preference still is to not make any public statement about the allegations that have come to me, I have spoken with Bishop Samuel Greene and shared my concerns. I have asked Bishop Greene to try to help you to see the prudence in my suggestion regarding ZERO offerings for the upcoming event in February 2003 at which Dr. Bynum is scheduled to speak.

I have also written to Dr. Bynum requesting a conference call to discuss my concerns and have enclosed a copy for your information.

As mentioned to you verbally, while I do not agree that revival has come to our nation, I again assure you that I have not desired or tried, and will not desire or try to in any way to stop what you are doing. The activities leading up to and the event itself are collectively a large crusade and not revival. Therefore, I wanted to help the Church and wider community to better understand true revival and the pre-requisites for it so that we can experience it.

Presently, I want to be faithful with the allegations that have come to me, hence my suggestion for a publicized ZERO offerings policy. The fact that I offered to help fund the crusade with other supporting churches should tell you that I have no interest in stopping it. No doubt some souls will get saved and that will be a good thing.

I sincerely hope that in this matter, we can all consider the overall good of the Church beyond our local assemblies and do the right thing which I believe is to let the supporting churches fund this event and publicize a ZERO offerings policy. Maybe this could be the beginning of truly being labourers together in the Lord’s Vineyard.


For His Kingdom


Apostle Cedric Moss,
Sr. Pastor

Cc: Bishop Samuel Greene,
President, The Bahamas Christian Council
_____________________________________



Appendix 2

January 31, 2003

By Hand

Strictly Private & Confidential

Bishop Samuel Greene
President, The Bahamas Christian Council
First Street, The Grove
Nassau, Bahamas

Dear Bishop Greene:

Warm Kingdom greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us.

Thanks for taking the time to speak with me on Wednesday past regarding my concerns about certain financial allegations that had come to me regarding Dr. Juanita Bynum, and for following up further yesterday.

In order to give Dr. Bynum Biblical due process, I have written to her regarding the allegations that have come to me. For your information, a copy of the letter is enclosed together with a copy of my letter of today’s date to Bishop Neil Ellis.

Bishop Greene, while it is my hope that I do not have to make any public statements detailing the allegations that have come to me, in any event I ask that you at your earliest opportunity convene a wide forum for Church leaders to discuss financial reform in the Church. We can share Biblical and practical insights on best financial practices in funding the work of God. I am a resolute believer that we don’t have to con and manipulate people to financially support God’s work and Scripture fully supports this view.

Sir, I appreciate the efforts that you are expending on this most serious matter and, as I have said to Bishop Ellis, I sincerely hope that we can all consider the overall good of the Church beyond our local assemblies and do the right thing, which I believe is to let the supporting churches fund this event and publicize a ZERO offerings policy. Maybe this could be the beginning of truly being labourers together in the Lord’s Vineyard.

I look forward to hearing from you.


For His Kingdom


Apostle Cedric Moss,
Sr. Pastor

Cc: Bishop Neil C. Ellis,
Sr. Pastor, Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church
____________________________________________



Appendix 3


January 30, 2003

Via Courier

Dr. Juanita Bynum
Juanita Bynum Ministries
415 North Crawford Street
Waycross, GA 31501

Dear Dr. Bynum:

Warm Kingdom greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us.

I have been the Sr. Pastor of Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre in Nassau, Bahamas for approximately 13 years. Recently, I have been advised by persons whom I deem to be credible and close to the events about which they were speaking, that your compensation for speaking engagements in the Bahamas, prior to 2002, has been a pre-arrangement of 50% of the offerings you raise. Further, the methodology of raising the offerings was mentioned to me. If the information that has been told to me is true, it gives me grave concern.

Prior to writing this letter, on Thursday, January 30, 2003, I tried reaching your office by telephone via the following three numbers posted on your website: 912-287-0032, 800-979-9195 and 415-499-7604 but was unsuccessful as the first 2 had unhelpful automation & recordings and third seemed to be a third party booking service who gave me the 912 number I already had.

If you would consent to a conference call I, and Mr. John Deal, a member of our church’s Board of Regents, would like to discuss this matter with you at your earliest opportunity.

I am preparing to make a public statement with regard to the matter of the financial practices of churches in the Bahamas and it might address the upcoming “Revival Is Here!” event in the Bahamas at which you are scheduled to speak. I would like to speak with you prior to doing so. I can be reached through any of the following options:

Office phone: 242-393-8262
Home phone: 242-327-1444
Cell phone: 242-357-8611
E-mail: apostle@kingdom-life.org

For the sake of good order, and because I have had separate preliminary discussions with Bishop Neil C. Ellis of Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church, and Bishop Samuel Greene, President of The Bahamas Christian Council, I am sending each of them a copy of this correspondence.

Mr. Deal and I would be available at any time of the day that suits your schedule. Since time is of the essence, if I do not hear back from you by 5:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) on February 6, 2003 to organize a time, I will proceed along the current lines being contemplated.

Thanks in advance for your kind and prompt attention to this matter and I look forward to hearing from you.

For His Kingdom


Apostle Cedric Moss,
Sr. Pastor


Cc: Bishop Neil C. Ellis,
Sr. Pastor, Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church

Cc: Bishop Samuel Greene,
President, The Bahamas Christian Council
________________________________________

In order to facilitate unlimited access to this Statement of Concern in its entirety, and consistent with the prophetic pattern and example of Martin Luther, the great reformer, I have appended it (together with copies of the connected correspondence) on this Internet Community Discussion Forum.

Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre, Nassau, Bahamas. Comments and feedback may be directed to him via e-mail at: apostle@kingdom-life.org

I intend to follow this story I am both shocked and suprised I can assure my fellow subscribers I will definitely remark to this some more as I check into this matter

Hey! Brother & Sisters:

Let's be real, everyone in The Bahamas these days using the name of "Jesus" but our country is in serious trouble!

No wonder so many are looking for 'revival' on posters & in flags etc. wake up people! Especially, people of God--allow God's discerning Spirit to let u see thru much of this scam and let's truly seek him--the true "revival giver"

God bless!

Originally posted by The Point
Hey! Brother & Sisters:

Let's be real, everyone in The Bahamas these days using the name of "Jesus" but our country is in serious trouble!

No wonder so many are looking for 'revival' on posters & in flags etc. wake up people! Especially, people of God--allow God's discerning Spirit to let u see thru much of this scam and let's truly seek him--the true "revival giver"

God bless!

I am not surprised concerning the amounts of money raised by these churches. It is amazing that it has taken this long to address it. Perhaps it is being addressed in the USA where i believe it is totally out of hand. We should be told what amounts are being given to the out of towner. Tmax

Apostle, I have e-mailed you before to commend you on your stance and preparedness to speak out for what is right and your latest article and exposure of what is happening is highly commendable. I notice how the devil is subtly and unnoticeably at work. Here is a man who is speaking the truth, revealing what unfortunately a lot of well meaning christians are being duped not to believe and take notice of and who when articles such as these are printed in religious sections of newspapers is given a small section in the corner "seemingly" oblivious in comparison to 2 page spreads of Revival is here motorcades etc...but i know the spirit of God is relentlessly at work to expose the debauchery that is going on in churches such as Mount Tabor. This is not a true revival, it is a covert event to raise monies principally for ongoing projects for that particular host church, to aid with the self-promotion (TV and otherwise) of the host Pastor, and to "buy" persons into becoming members by dangling carrots of new homes, mortgages being paid etc. These are the facts. On one local TV appearance the organiser when on to promote the revival, 'mistakenly' used the word conference instead of Revival and apologised for doing so. This was no mistake...that is what this is to the individual, there are already packages being advertised of tapes and videos for sale, persons are being encouraged to RENT booths at the park during the event, members of the 500 strong 'Conference" choir are being asked, sorry, i should say ordered to pay $20 each for a Tee- shirt and incidently it was mentioned on TV last week by the organiser that there was a deadline for any persons wishing to join the choir and that had now passed so they would have to wait until "the next time". Guest Artist Richard Smallwood will be there to sing with the choir, at what cost?: Psalmists Judy Jacobs and william Murphy III will be performing..at what cost???? Again we were told last sunday by the organiser that there were other famous artists who heard about the event and wanted to come and were told by the organiser that they were welcome but if they wanted to perform they would just have to flow with everything, in other words implying that we are not paying you to perform and naturally further implies the above mentioned artists are being paid. How can people not see this is not the REVIVAL??? God will be at the event because he is omnipresent and there are peope that will be there that genuinely want to worship God and hear from him and he will honour that if for their sakes alone. Of course any success will be deemed that God sanctioned this "move" and favoured accordingly. What they fail to see is that their wish for the event to aid catapult them to so-called further greatness will and is through articles such as yours along with the mysterious ways of God fully expose and root out this hireling demon that is plaguing our churches.

Rosspo:

It is amazing how all of the separate pieces of this manufactured "revival" are coming to the light. You are sharing things I was not aware of. It seems like on the t shirts alone they will make a profit of about $10 per T shirt or a handsome sum of $5,000! It is about MONEY!

What's sad is that the blind is leading the blind. The many blind pastors following along for the publicity ride cannot even see that they are just a cog in the wheel. They don't even have the discernment to find out about the budget and money and where the supposedly hundreds of thousands of dollars profit will go. I have a good idea, and I'm probably right.

Anyway, our consolation in all this is that God cannot be mocked...we all reap what we sow.

Thanks for your encouragement and please........keep writing on this forum and in others.

I want to also thank everyone shareing on this topic and i must say that I am sorely dissapointed and I have advised those near to me to be God-led about the upcoming event.

On another note; People of God,
revival never left us because if you would only renew your hearts and minds as the word orders us we would not be seeking a revival but flaming the one we have.

God bless you all and keep shareing

Thanks for your comments Apostle. Just on the point you were mentioning about blind being led by the blind you may or may not be aware that the organiser of the event is the founder member of 'House of Elijah" which is a group he set up and consists of some 12 to 15 churches (maybe more) who pledge their allegiance to its leader and has comitted their churches to all financial obligations that the Leader may incur or may require assistance with. It is obvious that these wannabe clergies are just looking out for themselves in that they feel that being aligned with certain individuals will promote them to notoriety. Of course as you say, they are unaware that they really are being fleeced for personal hidden agendas.

Rosspo:

I don't understand. Please send me a private e-mail at apostle@kingdom-life.org and let me know the details that you have.

Thanks.

Pastor, remember that before there can be revival there must be destruction. Destruction and not revival is occurring now.
For example in a savannah or a forest ,before seeds can spurt up into plants ,there must be great fires that destroy everything but the seeds.

Jesus said that the weeds are allowed to grow with the wheat until harvest time,when they are separated at harvest
time..

And I believe that in revival or rebirth time , people are supposed to change from their evil ways and we are supposed to see a decrease in evil, crime and malice in our actions.

GOd BLess YOU and Keep the Faith.

Crabrice:

Your analogy of the natural vs. spiritual is profound! I never saw that. Actually, I must tell you that although I wanted to see and still want to see revival come to the Church and our nation, I was praying that no destruction came with it even though I saw it impending.

Now I have perspective. My prayer now is, "Lord, send destruction!" After the destruction, I will pray, "Lord send the rain!"

Thanks for your spiritual insight.

Apostile Moss:

Most followers in churches really think they are real sheep. They simply do not read for themselves. Why don't they ask their pastors how much money they are paying out to these big name speakers? Why is there no answer from Bishop Ellis and Green? Why did the prophetess not answer? Surely this would be an opportunity for them to clear themselves and state the biblical their reasons.
I agree with you and thank God that you have the fortitute to stand up. There are many of the 192 pastors who what to ask the Bishops about the budgets and payments but are to coward to do so or perhaps are planning a similar event and do not want anyone to question them.

T. Max
:angel: