After losing his building, Megachurch Pastor Jerry Johnston starts over

[pstokely]

Source: Kansas City Star

Inside the hollow of one of Johnson County’s most massive churches, where thousands had dwindled to hundreds, no collection plates were passed.

No one walked up the aisle to be saved.

Last Sunday, it was just Pastor Jerry standing alone at the altar, in the light-colored summer suit he had worn two days earlier at his daughter’s beach-front wedding, convincing his followers it would be OK.

The bank would come in, he told them, take their building and everything in it — the cribs and chairs, playground equipment and pulpit — yet together, they would conquer this trial.



Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/17/3149389/after-losing-his-building-first.html

[hobbit709]

1. He'll find more believers to fleece.

Where did all the money he was raking in go?

[pstokely]

2. His piggy bank (nt)

nt

[hobbit709]

3. just like all the other ones.

[RKP5637]

8. Sometimes I think politicians and religious leaders have a lot in common, pass the

collection plate and I'll give you my brand of religion/politics. (And keep my lifestyle in the manner to which I'm accustom.) Yep, fleece the little people, pass the collection plate, please.

[hobbit709]

9. contrary to popular belief, shaman is the world's oldest profession.

Promise something that there is no proof of, convince them to give you their money up front, and no one has ever returned to demand a refund.

[onethatcares]

4. light colored summer suits, his daughters beach front wedding

an undercover trip to the Dominican Islands, brilliant white teeth, diamond pinkie rings, a face lift for his wife, and myriad other neccessary projects

except for feeding the poor and housing the homeless. Those folks will just have to pick themselves up.

BTW, that was just me expressing my opinion

[Kolesar]

6. He could start a "minichurch"

Express his humility.
I like your post, though. Obviously, you have been following the story better than I.

[onethatcares]

7. no, I haven't. mega church pastors sicken me

most times they're bible thumpers with trophy wives being driven around in mercedes benz sedans while preaching the gospel of prosperity.

I think Jesus would feel about the same.

[Javaman]

16. They don't do "mini"...

it doesn't properly compensate for their "inadequacies".

[chollybocker]

5. What does he care?

He pays no taxes. His church pays no taxes. There's no official record keeping.

His church is like a lottery, fleecing people for 10% of their net, with no big pay out, ever. Maybe next $unday morning....

[RKP5637]

10. Next to wall street, it's one of the best going rackets in America. n/t

[Javaman]

17. I'm sure he's crying all the way to his Swiss bank account. nt

[Safetykitten]

11. Baby Jesus wants him to get more marks...er...get a bigger flock.

[sarcasmo]

12. Taking money tax free from suckers, why wouldn't he start over.

[yellowcanine]

13. So when does he get prosecuted for embezzlement, fraud, and/or income tax evasion?

Seems to me one or more of those must apply to "Pastor" Jerry.

[TlalocW]

14. I'm moving to Kansas City around the end of the year

It's nice to know there will be one less mega-church awaiting me.

TlalocW

[Rex]

15. The fleecing of the gullible.

"The saga is being watched both locally and nationally by those who say Johnston is a preacher of prodigious gifts but also filled with very human flaws. He himself told his congregation that church leaders are paying attention to the dissolution of First Family because so many churches are going through tough economic times."

Poor criminals, hope they all end up eating out of a dumpster. His kids left to find other suckers to steal from...er start their own church!

Poor fella was living in a 900k house! Not even a One Mil McMansion...bless his humble butt!