Reply To: Topix 2007-2009, Discussing: Financial Violations and Abuse at The Brooklyn Tabernacle

[Foundation]

BT Pastor
10/8/2008
Comment #459

“This is so very sad. But this is the result of years of abuse that never has been properly addressed. Years of people turning their heads the other way out of total fear. Years of reaping the benefits and then holding steadfast to a position, and yet not willing to rock the boat and lose that position.
This is a pattern that I myself have witnessed over the years and partook of. It is very disheartening. And I am as guilty as the rest. So many times I wish I would have stood up but like the rest I just stood their silent.
Pastor Cymbala I want to ask you a question: What was on the piece of paper that you so abruptly grabbed out of Pastor O’Neil’s hand and said to him “you never saw this”?
What was on that piece of paper that caused you to make Pastor O’Neil sign a disclosure when you offered him a very large severance package saying he would never disclose the information on that document?
I just have to remind you: God saw what was on that piece of paper and you can try to hide and cover it up but you know that you will answer to God for it.
The New Building project at 180 is not about children. It is about money. A quote from you Pastor Jim “when children do not come to church, parents do not come to church, when parents do not come to church they do not tithe. Tithing pays our salary. The reason for the new childrens facility is to bring in more adults. The sister who came from Washington told you about the One Million Dollars her pastor put into the Children’s Ministry and how it doulbed the tithes.
Why wouldn’t you keep to your promise to build a Youth Center and instead build a larger children’s church? Answer: Youth do not bring in tithes. Most of them come alone without their parents so it is not financially feasible to build a youth center because the profit would be far less then building a Childrens Church. You promised the youth and the church and begged them to give. What did you do with all of that money you collected from those people who gave sacrificially for a youth center? If you are so concerned about the finances of the church. Sell your $5,000,000.00 Home and buy a condo. It is only you and Carol anyway, why do you need such a BIG HOME when your parishoners who “pay your salary” live in the projects?”

[Editor’s note: documentation has not been found indicating the house was worth over $5,000,000. In April 2010 the house was listed for sale at $3,800,000, and in July 2010, the house was estimated at around $3,500,000. Average homes in the Douglaston-Little Neck area around that time were $506,000. The house eventually sold for $1,875,000 in October 2013.]

Segments of the original Topix Discussion can be found on The Wayback Machine, HERE.