[El Scorcho]

Religious broadcaster builds $4M home despite layoffs at his ministry
Posted July 2, 2009

CHARLOTTE (AP) — A religious broadcaster is building a $4 million home in a gated, lakefront community in western South Carolina at the same time that the ministry has cut jobs and reset thermostats to save money in its new headquarters.
Inspiration Networks' CEO David Cerullo is building the 9,000-square-foot home on a lot that overlooks Lake Keowee, The Charlotte Observer reported Monday.

Inspiration Networks has drawn scrutiny for up to $26 million in incentives it won from South Carolina to move from Charlotte to Indian Land, S.C., in Lancaster County. The network's revenues are expected to approach $100 million, largely donations from people who are told God favors those who donate.

Cerullo has said 80 cents of each donated dollar is spent to spread the Gospel.

In addition to laying off workers, the newspaper reported, the ministry froze wages and stopped making contributions to 401(k) retirement accounts. The thermostat on the network's new building was cut to 65 degree during the winter.

Full Article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2 ... oney_N.htm

Fair scrutiny or media hype?

[LUconn]

Was this money embezzled? Did he rob a bank to buy it? It's his salary and that is a business. Do CEOs normally supplement a company's operational cost so that they don't have to lay off workers? No. That's not his job. I don't even see why this was worthy of a news article other than pandering to the anti-religion crowd.

[Covert Hawk]

It seems fair. A four million dollar home is a little extravagant. Hopefully this won't cause the public to turn against the tax-exempt statuses of pastors' and churches. Most pastors that I know certainly do not live that well. In fact, many of my friends struggle to make ends meet so that they can be pastors.

[Liberty4Life]

I dunno, it shows where the pastor's priority is.

[Liberty4Life]

I dunno, it shows where the pastor's priority is.

Plus, 80 percent of every dollar earned goes to the ministry's mission is pretty pathetic. It's better than welfare, sure, but seriously. Get that up into the 90s.

[El Scorcho]

Was this money embezzled? Did he rob a bank to buy it? It's his salary and that is a business. Do CEOs normally supplement a company's operational cost so that they don't have to lay off workers? No.

In a for-profit business, no. In a non-profit ministry? I'd think they'd be playing by different rules.

[RubberMallet]

does it say his salary?

[Hold My Own]

what's that website that rates all 501c3 ministries?


No, this is shady business without a doubt. I hear all the time of CEO's not taking a bonus or cutting their salary in order to show his priority and thats in FOR PROFIT this is a ministry and it's in the Bible that when you're using God's money you will be held at a higher standard so I hope he's ready for it and has crossed all of his T's and dotted his I's

[Liberty4Life]

If anyone has any last-minute gift ideas for the employees of Inspiration Networks, I have one. I'd like David Cerullo, their boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him rght here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, weiner-less, hopeless, heartless, fat-butt, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey poop he is.

Where's the Tylenol?

[Liberty4Life]

what's that website that rates all 501c3 ministries?


No, this is shady business without a doubt. I hear all the time of CEO's not taking a bonus or cutting their salary in order to show his priority and thats in FOR PROFIT this is a ministry and it's in the Bible that when you're using God's money you will be held at a higher standard so I hope he's ready for it and has crossed all of his T's and dotted his I's

check out ministrywatch.com

[LUconn]

If anyone has any last-minute gift ideas for the employees of Inspiration Networks, I have one. I'd like David Cerullo, their boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him rght here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, weiner-less, hopeless, heartless, fat-butt, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey poop he is.

Where's the Tylenol?

I wasn't so sure about you. We disagree a lot. But this is gold.

[Liberty4Life]

I wasn't so sure about you. We disagree a lot. But this is gold.

Give it a few days and I'm sure you'll despise me again... I think I've rattled a bunch of cages in just 50 posts.