View Full Version : LEE GRADY uncovers More Dirt on Bishop Earl Paulk!
It’s Time to Blow the Whistle on Corruption
We’ve created a toxic religious culture that requires people to be quiet when they should be confronting sin and challenging injustice.
When I started my job at Charisma in 1992, one of my first assignments was to sort through dozens of files of disturbing allegations made against one of the largest charismatic churches in the country. A group of women had contacted our magazine with shocking claims that Bishop Earl Paulk Jr. and other staff pastors at the 15,000-member Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Atlanta had sexually abused them. These frustrated women came to the Christian media because no pastors in our movement would listen to their horror stories.
Despite the fact that several women had the same experience with Paulk or other men on his staff, he insisted he was innocent and even brought legal action against a group of the women after they staged a press conference to make their grievances public. He also put a guilt trip on his followers, warning them that anyone who accused him of wrongdoing was “touching the Lord’s anointed.”
When I asked some national ministry leaders about Paulk’s questionable behavior, I was told it was not appropriate for me to listen to scandalous allegations against a man of Paulk’s spiritual stature. One leader even accused me of having “a spirit of journalism.”
Fifteen years later, it’s obvious that most of the leaders who knew Paulk had their heads in the sand. They thought it was more spiritual to ignore the whistle blowers. After all, they said, these women were probably all “Jezebels” who were being used by the devil to destroy a powerful ministry.
Today, people are finally admitting that Paulk was a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing. He was the liar and we were the naive dupes who fell for his act.
This became obvious last year when former Cathedral staff member Mona Brewer filed a lawsuit claiming that Paulk coerced her into a sexual relationship that lasted for years. Her suit forced Paulk, other staff members and numerous Paulk relatives to give depositions in court—and the ugly truth began to unfold. The church quickly shrank to a few hundred people, and today the congregation can’t afford to maintain their 7,000-seat gothic building.
The most revolting side of the Paulk scandal hit the fan last Sunday. The Cathedral’s current senior pastor, Donnie Earl Paulk—who has been known his entire life as Earl Paulk’s nephew—admitted to his congregation that he is actually Earl Paulk’s son. A DNA test required by the court has proved that Donnie Earl is not the son of Earl’s brother, Don. He is actually the product of a relationship between his mother, worship pastor Clariece Paulk, and his “Uncle Earl.”
I know it’s beyond outrageous. But as repulsive as the Paulk scandal is to us, we should try to imagine how grieved God is that such blatant immorality was allowed to thrive unchallenged for so long in a church that dared to call itself “Spirit-filled.” Why have some staff members remained at the Cathedral to this day when they know the truth? Why didn’t national charismatic leaders listen to the countless people who left the Cathedral years ago when they learned about the wife-swapping and debauchery? We should be ashamed that our spiritual fathers ignored the whistle-blowers, withheld biblical discipline and allowed Paulk to ruin the lives of countless people.
When the apostle Paul learned that incest was occurring among Corinthian believers (“immorality of such a kind that does not exist even among the Gentiles,” he said), he rebuked the church for refusing to bring correction and gave them a clear directive: “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves” (1 Cor. 5:1-2,13, NASB).
Paulk and his cohorts at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit created a bizarre environment full of mind control and emotional manipulation. We charismatics, who claim to have the gift of discernment, should have smelled this cultic deception a mile away. But instead, even though the list of allegations grew year by year, leaders in our movement continued to allow Paulk to air his broadcasts on national television.
We are now reaping the consequences of this sloppy grace and misdirected mercy. Throughout our movement today, ministries and marriages are imploding because we built our spiritual houses on the shifting sands of “anointing” rather than on the solid rock of character and integrity. The embarrassing scandals of 2007—from the high-profile divorces to the parking lot wife-beatings to the Oral Roberts University fiasco—should prompt us to cry out to God for a biblical reformation that will restore genuine holiness in a wayward church.
J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma.
mfblume
10-20-2007, 04:25 PM
Is Grady implying incest? Brother and sister parenting Donnie?
Is Grady implying incest? Brother and sister parenting Donnie?
No. Earl was the father rather than Earl's brother. The woman was married to Earl's brother.
It was Earl having an affair with his brothers wife.
Sherri
10-20-2007, 04:40 PM
No. Earl was the father rather than Earl's brother. The woman was married to Earl's brother.
It was Earl having an affair with his brothers wife.
Well, nothing surprises me anymore coming from that bunch. How sad!
I'm wondering how the boy learned this and how long he has known who his daddy is?!
Well, nothing surprises me anymore coming from that bunch. How sad!
why is it not a surprise- Paulk was a regular on TBN for many years was he not ?
Seems i heard Donnie Earl was the next in line to take the church over?
He is Very Liberal sort of on the line of Jim Baker's son- I can't remember his name right now - does anyone ???
The saddest part of this whole mess is the people who came to Christ through this ministry and now are disillusioned because of the gross moral failure of a man they looked up to as a Spiritual leader.
The saddest part of this whole mess is the people who came to Christ through this ministry and now are disillusioned because of the gross moral failure of a man they looked up to as a Spiritual leader.
I talked to someone from Atlanta and asked her about the church this church. she told me that at the height of their peek, they ran 7000.
now they are lucky if they have 150-200.
I also asked how they were able to continue in that huge building. There must be tremendous overhead and bills. they told me that the Paulks have a lot of property that they are having to sell off to keep afloat.
seems they'd be better off selling the church and getting out of it altogether- why do people like this milk it till there is nothing ?
I talked to someone from Atlanta and asked her about the church this church. she told me that at the height of their peek, they ran 7000.
now they are lucky if they have 150-200.
I also asked how they were able to continue in that huge building. There must be tremendous overhead and bills. they told me that the Paulks have a lot of property that they are having to sell off to keep afloat.
seems they'd be better off selling the church and getting out of it altogether- why do people like this milk it till there is nothing ?
I agree. You would think they would try to sell the church and buy a smaller one since ministries this big that have gross failure always still seem to hang on to a few hundred die hards that will follow them anywhere including over a cliff.
The saddest part of this whole mess is the people who came to Christ through this ministry and now are disillusioned because of the gross moral failure of a man they looked up to as a Spiritual leader.
I wonder if any of the past rumors were why Reba & Donnie left several years back, or did they just leave?!
I wonder if any of the past rumors were why Reba & Donnie left several years back, or did they just leave?!
I have wondered the same thing. As I recall I think they left around the time of the first round of accusations.
However they don't strike me as a couple who that would matter a lot to. Of course back then they might not have been as off the wall as they are now (saying that based on the recent reports that their church is welcoming gays now)
AtlantaBishop
10-20-2007, 07:18 PM
I was told this info well over a year ago and they have known it for years. If I were Donnie - I would sell EVERYTHING and take the money and go to another part of the nation and start over. He will never live down what they have all done. He did leave the Cathedral and started a church - a GAY CHURCH and then when the Bishop - Uncle/Daddy called - he ran back on the promise that he could bring his gay buddies/staff with him and then even more people left. It is a sad, sick and twisted bunch and has been for years.
I was told this info well over a year ago and they have known it for years. If I were Donnie - I would sell EVERYTHING and take the money and go to another part of the nation and start over. He will never live down what they have all done. He did leave the Cathedral and started a church - a GAY CHURCH and then when the Bishop - Uncle/Daddy called - he ran back on the promise that he could bring his gay buddies/staff with him and then even more people left. It is a sad, sick and twisted bunch and has been for years.
I was wondering what happend to this church he started.
I posted the interview they had with him in the Atlanta constitution
It's interesting how he and the son of Baker went so far to the left even politically. I wonder if the hypocricy they saw growing up caused this
AtlantaBishop
10-20-2007, 07:44 PM
I was wondering what happend to this church he started.
I posted the interview they had with him in the Atlanta constitution
It's interesting how he and the son of Baker went so far to the left even politically. I wonder if the hypocricy they saw growing up caused this
Well - both of them EMBRACE the Affirming Gay/Lesbian/Transgendered doctrine. Jay and Donnie each have a wife - but major rumors in Atlanta for years that they go both ways. I have been told for years that the Bishop was gonna put DEP out if he kept catching him with guys. That is why they made DEP sleep with Beth as they tried to make him go straight! He has a cute little wife and a couple of kids - the whole thing is CRAZY!
What is with these low life preachers and them bringing such a reproach on the ministry - especially here in Atlanta. Paulk has been doing this crazy stuff for MANY MANY YEARS - then Juanita Bynum and Weeks - they are BOTH CRAZY and mean and hateful. God have mercy on these crazy peoples minds.
I am sick of them - they have turned Church here in ATL into a circus.
Well - both of them EMBRACE the Affirming Gay/Lesbian/Transgendered doctrine. Jay and Donnie each have a wife - but major rumors in Atlanta for years that they go both ways. I have been told for years that the Bishop was gonna put DEP out if he kept catching him with guys. That is why they made DEP sleep with Beth as they tried to make him go straight! He has a cute little wife and a couple of kids - the whole thing is CRAZY!
What is with these low life preachers and them bringing such a reproach on the ministry - especially here in Atlanta. Paulk has been doing this crazy stuff for MANY MANY YEARS - then Juanita Bynum and Weeks - they are BOTH CRAZY and mean and hateful. God have mercy on these crazy peoples minds.
I am sick of them - they have turned Church here in ATL into a circus.
not to mention your buddy bishop Owens (LOL JK!), Nathan Simmons, murphy Pace, Ricky Dillard, Dr.Jonathan Greer, william murphy and others ... some of their names escape me right now
Steve Epley
10-20-2007, 07:58 PM
Well - both of them EMBRACE the Affirming Gay/Lesbian/Transgendered doctrine. Jay and Donnie each have a wife - but major rumors in Atlanta for years that they go both ways. I have been told for years that the Bishop was gonna put DEP out if he kept catching him with guys. That is why they made DEP sleep with Beth as they tried to make him go straight! He has a cute little wife and a couple of kids - the whole thing is CRAZY!
What is with these low life preachers and them bringing such a reproach on the ministry - especially here in Atlanta. Paulk has been doing this crazy stuff for MANY MANY YEARS - then Juanita Bynum and Weeks - they are BOTH CRAZY and mean and hateful. God have mercy on these crazy peoples minds.
I am sick of them - they have turned Church here in ATL into a circus.
I met his nephew DS he is in the Hollywood, Fl. area worked with Dad fro a season. Him and his wife were way out!!!!!!!!!!! They had a group with them and I wondered about the whole bunch and told Dad so. Dad did not like it but later there was a HUGE scandal. SLEAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*** The Latest on Bishop Weeks ***
Bynum's Husband Holds 'Last Call Sale'
By ERRIN HAINES
Associated Press Writer
ATLANTA — Less than two months after his arrest on a wife-beating charge, Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III is offering a steep discount on DVDs of his million-dollar wedding to televangelist Juanita Bynum and a book they wrote together.
His lawyer says he may seek alimony because of the losses her accusations are causing him.
Describing his "Last Call Sale" offer, Weeks tells visitors to his Web site, "Make sure that you get it right now because plenty of people are going to ask for it immediately. Get it while it lasts."
Bynum made a reputation on her no-nonsense talk for black, Christian single women about breaking free of sexual promiscuity. After she and Weeks married in a televised ceremony in July 2002, they wrote "Teach Me How to Love: The Beginnings" and held seminars on marriage and relationships.
But they separated earlier this year and on Aug. 22, Bynum claimed her estranged husband beat her in a hotel parking lot. According to a police report, she told officers Weeks "choked her, pushed her down, kicked and stomped her ... until a bellman pulled him off of her."
Weeks has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault and making terroristic threats. He is free on $40,000 bond and is not allowed to have contact with Bynum. Bynum's divorce papers cited "cruel treatment" and said the marriage is "irretrievably broken."
It was not clear how long the "Last Call Sale" has been going on Weeks' site. The wedding DVD, book and a T-shirt are now available online for $10, advertised as a $60 discount.
Last Call Sell
Steve Epley
10-20-2007, 08:07 PM
Good Grief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They have absolutely NO shame.
AtlantaBishop
10-20-2007, 08:22 PM
Good Grief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They have absolutely NO shame.
You are so right - NO shame and no sense.
Sherri
10-20-2007, 09:01 PM
why is it not a surprise- Paulk was a regular on TBN for many years was he not ?
I've never believed Earl Paulk was innocent. The whole bunch grosses me out; has for years.
Most people on TBN, I don't have any use for (Vicki is the exception).
I've never believed Earl Paulk was innocent. The whole bunch grosses me out; has for years.
Most people on TBN, I don't have any use for (Vicki is the exception).
WOW!!! really??? That's a surprise Sherri- it really is
Okay , here is a check off list for you. these are regulars on TBN.Tell me if you are Including or EXcluding the following names:
( ) Jaunita Bynum
( ) Paul and Jan Crouch
( )paula and randy white
( ) steve and phil munsey
( ) TD Jakes
( ) Eddie long
( ) Benny hinn
( ) Rod Parsely
( ) Jenezen Franklin
( )Zachery Tims
( ) Tommy tenney
( ) matt and Lauire Crouch
Sherri
10-20-2007, 09:15 PM
WOW!!! really??? That's a surprise Sherri- it really is
Okay , here is a check off list for you. these are regulars on TBN.Tell me if you are Including or EXcluding the following names:
( ) Jaunita Bynum
( ) Paul and Jan Crouch
( )paula and randy white
( ) steve and phil munsey
( ) TD Jakes
( ) Eddie long
( ) Benny hinn
( ) Rod Parsely
( ) Jenezen Franklin
( )Zachery Tims
( ) Tommy tenney
( ) matt and Lauire Crouch
I like Tommy Tenney (friends for many years), TD Jakes, and Eddie Long. I do respect the anointing in many of these others because they definitely have an anointing from God, but I don't personally like to hear or see them preach. Having an anointing also does not necessarily mean that they live right; the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. What they do with their lives is between them and God; He will ultimately judge. But I do think that people have been won to God by all of these ministries.
dizzyde
10-20-2007, 09:15 PM
WOW!!! really??? That's a surprise Sherri- it really is
Okay , here is a check off list for you. these are regulars on TBN.Tell me if you are Including or EXcluding the following names:
( ) Jaunita Bynum
( ) Paul and Jan Crouch
( )paula and randy white
( ) steve and phil munsey
( ) TD Jakes
( ) Eddie long
( ) Benny hinn
( ) Rod Parsely
( ) Jenezen Franklin
( )Zachery Tims
( ) Tommy tenney
( ) matt and Lauire Crouch
Phil Munsey preached my high school (private school) graduation. He was my favorite preacher back then. Are he and Jeannie still in SoCal??
Phil Munsey preached my high school (private school) graduation. He was my favorite preacher back then. Are he and Jeannie still in SoCal??
Yes, pastoring in the Orange Co. area.
I love and respect T.D. Jakes. I don't watch him on TV hardly any but I have seen him preach in person once and listened / watched a couple more times. He was a blessing.
I like Tommy Tenney (friends for many years), TD Jakes, and Eddie Long. I do respect the anointing in many of these others because they definitely have an anointing from God, but I don't personally like to hear or see them preach. Having an anointing also does not necessarily mean that they live right; the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. What they do with their lives is between them and God; He will ultimately judge. But I do think that people have been won to God by all of these ministries.
I think that is one of the bittersweet aspects of TV ministry.
You do reach a lot of people no doubt, but if you fail , a lot more people are hurt too, plus the secualr media has more opportunity to attack the church in general - what do you think ?
dizzyde
10-20-2007, 09:21 PM
Yes, pastoring in the Orange Co. area.
He used to do the southern PK retreats a lot. He really was powerful in that arena (youth). We had a pretty close relationship with her family back in the day.
I love and respect T.D. Jakes. I don't watch him on TV hardly any but I have seen him preach in person once and listened / watched a couple more times. He was a blessing.
I-ve been to a number of his conferences- some of the best i've ever been to. They seem to be a little more on the line of business and finances which has it's place for the church.
what do you think of his joining with Dr Phil? Good or Bad?
sherri, i'd like your opinion on this too please
He used to do the southern PK retreats a lot. He really was powerful in that arena (youth). We had a pretty close relationship with her family back in the day.
Jeanie is a southern CA girl. she and her family use to have a singing group called " The coffee singers"
Phil use to assist Bro haney years ago and preach our youth camps. one of the best
SoCaliUPC
10-20-2007, 09:24 PM
I think that is one of the bittersweet aspects of TV ministry.
You do reach a lot of people no doubt, but if you fail , a lot more people are hurt too, plus the secualr media has more opportunity to attack the church in general - what do you think ?
This tends to happen when people follow the man rather than the Man (God).
This tends to happen when people follow the man rather than the Man (God).
in reference to who ??
any specifics?
Sherri
10-20-2007, 09:28 PM
I think that is one of the bittersweet aspects of TV ministry.
You do reach a lot of people no doubt, but if you fail , a lot more people are hurt too, plus the secualr media has more opportunity to attack the church in general - what do you think ?
I think you're exactly right. Greater exposure brings greater responsibilty. Some people cannot handle that.
The guy who wrote the book apologizing for his part in the PTL scandal (can't think of his name) says that when that little red light goes on during filming, the people morph into some strange creature that they weren't before. I think that does happen to some people, but not to everyone. Greed and fame become more important than reaching the lost.
Sherri
10-20-2007, 09:29 PM
I-ve been to a number of his conferences- some of the best i've ever been to. They seem to be a little more on the line of business and finances which has it's place for the church.
what do you think of his joining with Dr Phil? Good or Bad?
sherri, i'd like your opinion on this too please
I don't know enough about Dr. Phil to make a judgment call on this. I've heard that he's a Christian, but some of the things I've read on here don't sound like it. I don't really watch him, so I don't know.
I-ve been to a number of his conferences- some of the best i've ever been to. They seem to be a little more on the line of business and finances which has it's place for the church.
what do you think of his joining with Dr Phil? Good or Bad?
sherri, i'd like your opinion on this too please
* * * BUMP FOR SHERRI & CC1 ****
I don't know enough about Dr. Phil to make a judgment call on this. I've heard that he's a Christian, but some of the things I've read on here don't sound like it. I don't really watch him, so I don't know.
Go to link provided on the threads and see where he stands on moral issues.
I don't really have an opinion pro or con on Dr. Phil. I have watched a few minutes of him a few times and he gets on my nerves. I am not into those type shows. I really don't care to hear peoples dirty laundry and then some off the cuff dime store counseling.
He may in fact give good advice I just have not listened to him enough to make a judgement. I have read that he is big on personal responsbiility which I am glad to hear.
Sherri and CC, this was taken from Dr Phil's site:
Christine: My 22-year-old daughter is in a relationship with a woman. I don’t believe she is a lesbian. Could this be a form of rebellion and a result of getting in with the “wrong” crowd[/B]? Can homosexuality be learned and unlearned?
[B]Dr. Phil: Homosexuality is not a learned behavior. A sexual orientation is inherited; you are wired that way. Certainly some people will experiment with a gay lifestyle, and a gay person might experiment with a heterosexual one. If she is really gay, she will find a place in that life and in that community. The important thing is that you just love her through that. What difference does it make if she is gay? Accept her, support her and do not be judgmental. It is difficult enough for her to live openly and honestly in this society; don’t put your judgment on top of that.
Sherri
10-20-2007, 09:39 PM
Go to link provided on the threads and see where he stands on moral issues.
I read some of it. It doesn't sound good, but honestly, Thad, sometimes I don't trust the stuff that's written out there. I still like TD Jakes and I've heard stuff about him for years.
I just don't know enough personally about Dr. Phil to make any kind of judgment.
Sherri
10-20-2007, 09:41 PM
Sherri and CC, this was taken from Dr Phil's site:
Christine: My 22-year-old daughter is in a relationship with a woman. I don’t believe she is a lesbian. Could this be a form of rebellion and a result of getting in with the “wrong” crowd[/B]? Can homosexuality be learned and unlearned?
[B]Dr. Phil: Homosexuality is not a learned behavior. A sexual orientation is inherited; you are wired that way. Certainly some people will experiment with a gay lifestyle, and a gay person might experiment with a heterosexual one. If she is really gay, she will find a place in that life and in that community. The important thing is that you just love her through that. What difference does it make if she is gay? Accept her, support her and do not be judgmental. It is difficult enough for her to live openly and honestly in this society; don’t put your judgment on top of that.
Did YOU take it from his site? If so, then I believe it. If it's just a rumor, then I don't know. If this is really what he teaches, then I think he's dead wrong.
I read some of it. It doesn't sound good, but honestly, Thad, sometimes I don't trust the stuff that's written out there. I still like TD Jakes and I've heard stuff about him for years.
I just don't know enough personally about Dr. Phil to make any kind of judgment.
the above post came directly from Dr Phil' site
Do you think he'd allow that on his own site if it was not true ?
Sherri
10-20-2007, 09:46 PM
G'night. I've got to get to bed. It's nearly eleven here and we have three services tomorrow in two different cities.
G'night. I've got to get to bed. It's nearly eleven here and we have three services tomorrow in two different cities.
GOOD DODGE !!!! :pirate:pirate:pirate:pirate:pirate
SoCaliUPC
10-20-2007, 10:09 PM
in reference to who ??
any specifics?
In reference to your statement that when men on TV fall many people are hurt as well.
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