## The Religion Business & Mega Churches - The church is supposed to be the bride of [[Jesus | Christ]] and the hope for mankind, but has it become nothing more than a business, with mega churches and mega pastors demanding transparency about their salaries and housing allowances [(00:00:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=11s). - Nathan Apffel, a filmmaker, is working on a docu series called "The Religion Business" and has confronted mega churches and mega pastors, including Ed Young's mega church in [[Grapevine, Texas]], and televangelist [[Kenneth Copeland]], demanding to know their finances [(00:00:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=26s). - Apffel got arrested last month when he showed up at Ed Young's mega church carrying signs asking for transparency about Young's finances [(00:00:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=38s). - He had a run-in with the security team of televangelist Kenneth Copeland prior to that, highlighting the issue of mega churches having security teams that protect them from honest questions [(00:00:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=47s). - Many congregations do not know what their pastors make, and Apffel is demanding transparency, which has led to him being called a scandalmonger, son of [[Satan]], and even the Antichrist [(00:00:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=52s). ## The Restore Conference - The Restore Conference, a conference designed to equip people to minister to those traumatized in the church, will be held on February 7th and 8th in [[Phoenix, Arizona]], and will feature leading abuse survivor advocates, experts, and authors [(00:01:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=98s). - Mar Hort of Bearington, a [[Buick]] [[GMC (marque) | GMC]] dealership, is recommended for its honesty, integrity, and transparency, values that are also important in the church [(00:02:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=142s). ## Nathan Apffel's Docu-Series Investigation - Nathan Apffel has 15 years of experience as a filmmaker and is getting into trouble making a docu series on the religion business, which has led to him being called the literal Antichrist [(00:02:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=159s). - Nathan Apffel, a filmmaker, has been working on a show about the 'religion business' for 12 years, filming it almost a decade ago but refining his approach over time, particularly after becoming a father and taking a more fatherly approach to the subject [(00:04:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=264s). - Apffel's show involves asking simple questions and seeking answers, which has led to him interviewing former Chief councils to the [[Internal Revenue Service | IRS]], whistleblowers across the [[Christianity | Christian]] spectrum, and professors at Oxford, Notre Dame, and [[Berkeley, California | Berkeley]] [(00:05:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=329s). - The filmmaker's approach has caused trouble for some mega churches and pastors, who are afraid of the simple questions he asks, starting with what constitutes a church [(00:05:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=346s). - Apffel's show explores the idea that the 'religion business' has been reduced to a business in many cases, which is a sad reality [(00:05:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=358s). ## Apffel's Arrest at Ed Young's Church - He was arrested at Ed Young's church, which he visited to investigate the pastor's housing allowance as an example of a loophole in the IRS tax guidelines [(00:06:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=393s). - Apffel had reached out to [[Fellowship Church]] multiple times over two years but never received a response, leading him to visit the church in person [(00:07:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=437s). - The filmmaker's visit to Ed Young's church was strategic, as was his visit to Kenneth Copeland's compound, which is another example of a loophole in the [[Internal Revenue Service | IRS]] tax guidelines [(00:07:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=422s). - A phone number was called to reach out to Fellowship Church, but the call was not returned until the caller asked how to give, and then the call was returned within 24 hours [(00:07:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=451s). - The caller, Nathan, spoke with Dennis Brewer Jr., the general counsel of Fellowship Church, who was ordained, and offered to talk, but the church did not want to engage in a conversation [(00:07:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=472s). - Nathan created signs asking about the salary and housing allowance of Ed, the pastor, which was seen as a threat by some, as this information is not typically disclosed by churches [(00:08:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=487s). - Former Elders at Harvest Bible Chapel were given a pie chart of the church's budget but were not allowed to know the salary of James McDonald, the pastor, which led to a confrontation [(00:08:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=500s). - James McDonald refused to disclose his salary, saying he would lose 10,000 followers before revealing the information, which is seen as a sign of a lack of accountability in churches [(00:08:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=527s). ## The Housing Allowance Loophole - Secular non-profits are required to disclose the salaries of their top three wage earners, including any housing allowances, but churches are exempt from this requirement [(00:09:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=563s). - The housing allowance is a tax benefit afforded to ministers, which allows them to offset their tax burden by setting aside a portion of their salary for housing expenses [(00:10:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=601s). - The housing allowance was originally intended for ministers who lived in a parsonage provided by the church, but it is now often abused by ministers who use it to cover their rent or mortgage payments [(00:10:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=630s). - Philip Hackney, a leading expert on the non-profit sector, explains that the housing allowance is taxed differently than a salary, allowing ministers to aggressively offset their tax burden [(00:10:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=607s). - Pastors can receive housing allowances, which are considered tax-free and can be used to cover various expenses such as down payments on homes, mortgages, repairs, HOA fees, and even household cleaners, as long as these expenses are defined as "reasonable" and are outlined in the church's bylaws or amendments [(00:11:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=665s). - These housing allowances can be substantial, with some pastors receiving upwards of $1 million per year, in addition to their regular salary, which can be lower and more publicly disclosed [(00:11:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=688s). - The documentation for these housing allowances can be difficult to access, and some churches may not make this information publicly available [(00:12:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=769s). ## Confrontation at Ed Young's Church - Filmmaker Nathan Apffel visited Ed Young's church to raise awareness about these housing allowances and was met with resistance from the church's security team, who were armed and attempted to intimidate him and his camera operator [(00:13:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=781s). - The security team, including a sheriff who was contracted by the church, attempted to restrict Nathan's camera operator from filming, despite this being a public place and a legal activity [(00:14:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=866s). - The sheriff was found to be in violation of the law by not wearing a body camera while contracted by the church and attempting to restrict filming [(00:14:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=876s). - Nathan Apffel's experience at Ed Young's church highlights the tension between churches and those who seek to expose their financial practices, particularly with regards to housing allowances [(00:13:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=832s). - A contracted sheriff and private security guards took Nathan's phone and handed it to a private citizen, which is not allowed as it's private property [(00:15:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=929s). - A private security guard grabbed Nathan's arm and yanked it back, causing damage to his elbow, and he now has a secondary doctor's appointment to follow up on the injury [(00:15:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=950s). - The sheriff took Nathan's camera operator's camera and threw it on the ground, snapping off an expensive anamorphic lens [(00:16:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=984s). - Nathan was detained for almost 40 minutes without being read his rights, and it wasn't until the police department (PD) arrived that he was read his rights and his cuffs were exchanged [(00:16:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1003s). - Nathan had a wire on him and was concerned that the sheriff or security guards might damage it or his glasses, but the officer assured him that they would stay in his possession and not be touched [(00:17:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1037s). - When the story was published, Nathan received pushback from anonymous accounts created that month, with some claiming that the incident was a publicity stunt and that Nathan knew what would happen when he came to the location [(00:17:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1056s). - Nathan responds to these claims by stating that he has footage from his first interaction with employees, in which he offered to leave the property and was refused, and was instead met with hostility and a refusal to answer his questions [(00:17:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1079s). - Nathan was simply asking questions about the property and its ownership, but was met with resistance and aggression from the sheriff and security guards [(00:18:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1102s). ## The Genesis of the Investigation - A filmmaker began investigating a church after attending one of its satellite campuses in [[Dallas]], where something unusual caught his attention, prompting him to start looking into the church [(00:19:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1171s). - The filmmaker had been traveling in the US, visiting churches, and this particular experience led him to start a two-year investigation that would eventually become a documentary series [(00:19:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1163s). - The documentary series features footage of [[Homer Edwin Young | Ed Young]], a church leader, and his behavior, including reckless driving in a [[Range Rover]], which was not shown in his social media posts [(00:18:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1120s). - The filmmaker suggests that the church's leadership, including Ed Young and Dennis Brewer Jr., were unaware that they were being filmed for an extended period [(00:19:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1162s). - The investigation led to the filmmaker's arrest, but he claims there was a 40-minute lead-up to the arrest that will be shown in the documentary series [(00:19:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1153s). - The filmmaker believes that the church's aggressive behavior towards him is typical of how staff and donors are treated when they ask questions [(00:20:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1235s). - The church's behavior is seen as part of a larger problem in the US, where institutions are struggling and using aggressive authority to maintain control [(00:21:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1272s). - The filmmaker's mentor, who has worked with him for 22 years, was not surprised by the church's behavior, as he understands the structure of the sector and its "death cycle" [(00:20:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1256s). - The filmmaker has received over 200 messages from people who have worked at or left the church, including a 22-year-old who thanked him for exposing the church's behavior [(00:21:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1285s). - The filmmaker sees the implosion of churches in [[Dallas]] as an opportunity for something new to grow, with the micro church movement experiencing rapid growth as people seek alternative forms of worship [(00:20:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1205s). ## Exploitation in the Church - A person shared their experience of working as a character in a children's show at a church, where they were physically abused by a coworker wearing a polar bear costume for not moving quickly enough, highlighting the prioritization of production over people's well-being [(00:21:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1303s). - The film industry's mantra "the show must go on" can lead to people being exploited and mistreated, and a similar phenomenon is observed in some churches and religious organizations, where the mission is prioritized over the people it is supposed to serve [(00:22:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1335s). - The example of [[Mars Hill Church | Mars Hill]] and [[Mark Driscoll]] is cited, where people were either expected to get on board with the mission or be left behind, illustrating the prioritization of the mission over the people [(00:22:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1356s). ## Kenneth Copeland's Parsonage and Unfulfilled Promises - The concept of a "parsonage" is explained, referring to a house owned by a church or ministry for the pastor to live in, and Kenneth Copeland's 19,000 square foot waterfront home is cited as an example [(00:23:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1405s). - Copeland's compound is a 1,200-acre property owned by the church, which was reshaped to accommodate his house, and he has been accused of making promises in his marketing material that he never fulfilled, raising questions about the use of donations [(00:23:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1421s). - The original marketing material for Copeland's "Revival capital of the world" is mentioned, which included promises that were never kept, and it is suggested that this would be considered a form of fraud in the for-profit world [(00:24:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1460s). - The documentation of Copeland's marketing material and the 1,200-acre property is mentioned, and it is stated that the county and state were contacted to verify the claims, which appeared to be unfulfilled [(00:24:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1489s). ## Visit to Kenneth Copeland's Compound - A group of individuals planned to visit Kenneth Copeland's church and parsonage, sketching out a map of the roads and property to determine the best route, without knowing what would happen upon arrival [(00:25:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1506s). - The group discovered that the [[Kenneth Copeland]] airport, located in the middle of the property, had a runway that led to the parsonage, and they found an open gate that allowed them to enter the property without touching any gates [(00:25:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1522s). - As they proceeded through the property, they found that the gates were equipped with motion sensors, allowing them to pass through without any issues [(00:25:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1550s). - The group eventually reached a final gate with a keypad, which prevented them from advancing further, and they were unable to obtain the gate code from the church's prayer line [(00:26:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1596s). - A prayer line representative, Abraham, answered the call and initially asked for verification information before realizing the caller's intentions and hanging up [(00:26:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1602s). - The group waited for approximately 30 minutes without any response or security presence, leading them to believe that their presence was not detected [(00:27:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1662s). - They decided to drive back to their car, park on the private runway, and wait for security to arrive, eventually spotting a security car that stopped nearby [(00:28:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1681s). ## Confrontation at Kenneth Copeland's Church - A confrontation occurred between a filmmaker and security personnel at Kenneth Copeland's church, where the security guards threatened to arrest the filmmaker and his team for trespassing, but ultimately decided against it due to the potential bad optics [(00:28:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1703s). - One of the security guards, who had previously worked for multiple churches and had been fired or let go, impersonated an officer, refused to show his badge, and pulled out a gun, stating that the camera was more dangerous than his gun [(00:28:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1726s). - The security guard's behavior was in contrast to another guard, who was professional and military-trained, and intervened to de-escalate the situation [(00:28:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1733s). - The filmmaker was trying to ask questions about the church's financials, but was not given a contact person to speak to and was instead told to leave [(00:29:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1799s). - The incident highlights the difference in approach between Copeland's church and Ed Young's church, with Copeland's security team being more aware of the potential repercussions of arresting a filmmaker [(00:29:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1781s). - The filmmaker did not make it into Copeland's parsonage, but has used drones to gather footage and has been working on the story for two years [(00:30:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1847s). ## Accountability and Fraud in Church Fundraising - The [[Kenneth Copeland | Copeland]] storyline is not just about the parsonage, but about the idea that churches can present marketing pitches without being held accountable for delivering on their promises, which would be considered fraud in the for-profit world [(00:31:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1885s). - The filmmaker argues that there is a disconnect between the religious world and the for-profit world, where churches can raise money for projects without being held accountable for using the funds as promised [(00:31:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1907s). - The filmmaker notes that there is often fine print in church fundraising campaigns that allows for funds to be used for other purposes, such as a general fund [(00:32:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1920s). - An investigation into Harvest Bible Chapel found that Walk In The Word Ministry was using its funds to purchase a camp in [[Michigan]], where James wanted to build a trophy herd of deer, with the ministry cutting checks for tens of thousands of dollars [(00:32:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1931s). - This raised questions about the legality of using donations for personal projects, with the ministry claiming that 100% of the money goes to further the ministry [(00:32:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1972s). - A similar incident involved a pastor bringing a box of dirt on stage and raising $7 million for a new building that was never constructed [(00:33:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=1982s). - Despite reporting these incidents to the [[Internal Revenue Service | IRS]], attorney general, and [[Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability]], no action was taken, highlighting the lack of policing in the religious sector [(00:33:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2007s). ## Lack of Oversight and Donor Intent - The IRS is limited in its ability to enforce laws due to a lack of resources, with Philip Haon comparing the situation to a Ferrari racing ahead of a golf cart, representing the religious exemptions and the IRS, respectively [(00:34:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2042s). - The concept of donor intent, which requires honoring the intended use of donations, is not legally enforceable, leaving donors with no recourse if their money is misused [(00:34:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2082s). - Without a trust or bylaws protecting funds, donors have no legal obligation to ensure their money is used for the intended purpose, as seen in the case of Fellowship Church's website, where donations can be made without a guarantee of use for the chosen fund [(00:35:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2101s). ## The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and the Business of Churches - The [[Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability]] (ECFA) was founded to address financial issues within churches, but decades later, nothing has changed [(00:35:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2149s). - Churches are considered businesses, as they file corporate documents with the state, have revenues coming in and going out, and are nonprofit corporations [(00:36:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2192s). - This business aspect of churches requires them to be run with accountability, transparency, and honesty, similar to any other business [(00:37:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2231s). - The goal is to acknowledge that churches are businesses and should be run as such, rather than ignoring this reality [(00:37:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2255s). ## Micro Churches and Transparency - There is a movement towards micro churches, which may be a way to move away from the business aspect of institutional churches [(00:37:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2265s). - Some churches may be too entrenched in their business-like practices to change, but those that want to be honest can be [(00:38:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2293s). - Educating consumers, donors, and people in the pews about the business aspect of churches is crucial in bringing about change [(00:38:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2313s). - Some large philanthropists have given millions of dollars to churches, only to see the funds squandered, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency [(00:38:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2324s). - Empowering donors and consumers with knowledge can help bring about positive change in the way churches are run [(00:39:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2342s). ## The Potential of the Christian Church - The nonprofit sector, particularly [[Christianity]], has enough resources to transform the world, but internal theft and mismanagement of funds hinder this potential [(00:39:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2390s). - If the [[Christian Church]] could stop internal theft, it could fund and solve the top 30 global social issues, and with better resource management, it could solve the top 50 issues [(00:40:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2400s). ## The Broken Shepherds App - A new app called Broken Shepherds aims to increase accountability and transparency in the nonprofit sector by providing a platform for donors to find and support trustworthy organizations [(00:40:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2431s). - The app works like a dating app, where nonprofits and churches are matched with donors based on their transparency and accountability, with the goal of reducing fundraising costs and increasing efficiency [(00:40:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2445s). - The app has scraped federal and state databases and will go into beta on December 1, with 200 churches and nonprofits already on board [(00:41:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2470s). - The average nonprofit spends about 30% of its budget on fundraising, and the app aims to eradicate this cost center and energy drain by providing a more efficient way for donors to find and support nonprofits [(00:41:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2508s). - The app uses an AI algorithm to rate nonprofits based on their financial information and transparency, with the goal of providing donors with a clear picture of where their money is going [(00:42:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2547s). - The goal is to democratize the donor process, allowing smaller nonprofits to access a larger pool of donors, thereby stabilizing revenue and reducing the risk of failure if a major donor stops giving [(00:42:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2557s). - This approach also aims to repurpose the 30% of fundraising time and resources typically spent on securing large donations, making it more efficient for nonprofits [(00:43:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2604s). - The focus is on supporting smaller, local churches and nonprofits, which are often more accountable and transparent due to limited resources, and are doing the majority of the heavy lifting in their communities [(00:43:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2620s). ## A Model Nonprofit: Transparency and Trust - The concept of "local [[Social capital | Social Capital]]" is emphasized, where the point of a church is to focus locally and help the community, building social capital in the process [(00:43:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2627s). - A recent financial review of a nonprofit organization revealed that only 6% of their budget was spent on fundraising, with 80% going directly to programs, which is an unusually high percentage [(00:44:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2680s). - The organization's approach to fundraising has been to focus on transparency, reporting their financial statements and salaries on their website, and trusting that [[God]] will provide the necessary resources [(00:44:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2663s). - The nonprofit's leader believes that if they are faithful to their mission, God will bring in the resources, and this approach has been successful so far, with people giving generously without much effort put into fundraising [(00:45:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2706s). - Many donors give small gifts, such as $50, but there are a few larger donors who give $1,000, $5,000, or $10,000, and the organization is starting to see major philanthropists take an interest in their work [(00:46:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2771s). - [[Americans]] and American [[Christianity | Christians]] are considered the most generous people in the world, and the goal is to encourage both faith and discovery of faith, as well as shrewd generosity, where every dollar can make a major impact [(00:46:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2812s). ## Sister Rosemary: The Mother Teresa of Africa - Sister Rosemary, known as the Mother Teresa of [[Africa]], was interviewed in [[Uganda]], and she has taken a vow of chastity and poverty, which she refers to as a vow of charity, as she immediately uses any donations to help those in need [(00:47:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2839s). - Sister Rosemary's organization does not receive any funding from the [[Catholic Church | Roman Catholic Church]], so she has to fundraise and refers to donors as "partners" because they are partnering with her to help those in need [(00:48:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2903s). - Sister Rosemary finds [[God]] when she steps out into the unknown and has faith that God will always catch her, and she believes in living a simple life and being self-sustainable [(00:48:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2919s). - Sister Rosemary's organization has 300 kids and women in their programs, and they grow food for 2,000 kids in [[South Sudan]] every year, and she sees her work as a business that should be self-sustainable [(00:49:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2943s). - The girls in Sister Rosemary's program learn tailoring and make uniforms for local restaurants, which then buy the uniforms, allowing the organization to be self-sustainable and not reliant on donors [(00:49:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2967s). - A woman runs a program for 300 single mothers and their children, providing them with a school, hospital, and three meals a day, all on a $80,000 annual operating budget, which is inspiring and shows a radical transformation in her city by living out her faith [(00:49:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=2983s). ## The Documentary Series and Its Impact - The woman's program is an example of the good work being done by various churches and denominations, which will be showcased in a documentary series [(00:50:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3049s). - The documentary series will also highlight the different varieties of churches, from denominational to theological differences, and how some pastors are reutilizing empty buildings on their property [(00:50:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3050s). - The creators of the documentary series were permanently banned from [[TikTok]] due to a report of child endangerment, allegedly made by a politician or wealthy individual, but have been allowed to stay on [[Instagram]] [(00:51:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3101s). - A clip from an interview shows the type of work being done by the creators of the documentary series, which includes exposing the truth about religion and its business side [(00:52:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3149s). - A person of means was asked to donate to the documentary series, but declined, saying that people prefer to build buildings and houses, rather than fund watchdog organizations like the documentary series, which is likened to a housing inspector [(00:52:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3157s). - The statement highlights the difficulty of raising money for a watchdog organization, as people prefer to fund more visible and tangible projects [(00:53:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3201s). ## Measuring Ministry Success and Accountability - A ministry's success can be measured by the impact it has, and people are more likely to donate when they see the good work being done, rather than just being asked for money [(00:53:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3211s). - The goal is to hold organizations accountable for their actions, and donations can be seen as a form of insurance to ensure this accountability [(00:53:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3239s). ## The Project's Budget and Goals - The budget for the project is not disclosed, but it is mentioned that the team has been able to produce high-quality content on a relatively low budget by "milking a dollar" and bringing together the right crew and developers [(00:54:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3278s). - The project's goal is to reform the [[Internal Revenue Service | IRS]] tax guidelines, and the team is being careful to ensure that all the necessary steps are taken to achieve this goal [(00:55:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3343s). - The plan is to launch the trailer on [[Christmas | Christmas Day]] and the full project at [[Easter]], with the app being ready for beta testing in December and launching in January [(00:55:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3320s). ## Uncovering the Truth and Seeking a Key Document - There are still a few stories that need to be completed, including the Said [[Homer Edwin Young | Young]] story, which has the potential to open up a "can of worms" and reveal new information [(00:56:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3370s). - The project has the potential to have subpoena power, which could lead to the release of previously undisclosed documentation [(00:56:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3391s). - The project's creator believes that [[God]] is using them to bring together expert voices and create a big idea that could have a significant impact [(00:56:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3396s). - There is one specific document that the project's creator is trying to obtain, which is deeply buried and could be a key part of the project's success [(00:56:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3414s). - The goal is to obtain a specific document, referred to as the "coveted ring," which is believed to be the foundation of the institution of registered churches in the US, with around 400,000 registered churches [(00:57:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3427s). - Obtaining this document could lead to the unraveling of the entire institution, as congregants would begin to question the foundation of their churches [(00:57:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3442s). ## Subpoena Power and Revealing Information - A past experience of being sued provided an opportunity to gain subpoena power and access to information that was previously unavailable, allowing for the publication of revealing information about certain individuals and institutions [(00:57:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3457s). - The actions of some mega churches and celebrity pastors are seen as revealing their true heart and tactics, which are often driven by a desire for control and a lack of awareness of the consequences of their actions [(00:58:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3485s). - These individuals, including Ed, [[Joel Osteen]], and [[Kenneth Copeland]], are viewed as mere "cogs" in a larger institutional machine that has been in place for over 111 years, dating back to the introduction of income tax in 1913 [(00:58:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3511s). ## The Decline of the Institutional Church - The institutional church is seen as being in a state of decline, with some leaders trying to protect the institution at all costs, rather than allowing it to die and make way for new growth and the emergence of home churches and other forms of community [(00:59:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3545s). - The desire for control and greed is seen as a major obstacle to the transformation of the church, with a $40 million a year budget being a significant factor in the desire to maintain the status quo [(00:59:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3564s). - There is a hope that a new and healthier form of church will emerge from the current state of decline, one that is God-honoring and able to disciple future generations [(00:59:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3594s). - The desire for a healthy church is driven by a desire to see future generations, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren, being discipled and growing in their faith [(00:59:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3599s). ## The Roy Report Podcast - The Roy Report is a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church, hosted by Julie Roy [(01:00:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3638s). - The podcast relies on donations from listeners who care about truth and transparency within the church, as it does not have advertisers or large donors [(01:00:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3657s). - To support the ongoing work of The Roy Report, listeners can donate by visiting [[Donation | JulieRoy.com/donate]] [(01:01:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3664s). - Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to The Roy Report on [[Apple Podcasts | Apple Podcast]], [[Spotify]], or [[YouTube]] to stay updated on new episodes [(01:01:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3675s). - Julie Roy also requests that listeners help spread the word about the podcast by leaving a review and sharing it on social media [(01:01:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k&t=3684s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tDPn5nQ7k?si=B1IDp1FmggE8yGP5)