Benny Hinn Answers Top Questions Concerning Financial Stewardship

To honor your trust in this ministry, I want to give you a few straightforward answers to the top 20 questions we receive concerning our financial stewardship and the many ways we are accountable to God, to you, and to the authorities. For well over three decades I have been adamant that our ministry have an “above and beyond” standard when it comes to the seed you plant.

I fear God too much to ever trifle with the money entrusted to me by His precious people. Because of my fear of offending my precious Lord or bringing shame to His name, I insist that we go far beyond what is required to ensure that our ministry’s finances are above reproach.

It is that level of accountability that makes me want to do more than ever, to be better stewards, to redouble our ministry efforts. We must do this now because this is the time, right now, to fulfill the mandate to take the Gospel to all nations, the commission given by Jesus Christ.

1. Some who are antagonistic toward evangelistic media ministries have characterized many ministries like yours as having a lack of restrictions and regulations. What is your answer to questions pertaining to accountability and governance of Benny Hinn Ministries?

When anyone says that our ministry doesn’t answer to anyone concerning finances and the gifts received from partners, I always answer that nothing could be further from the truth. 

We are directly and purposefully accountable to God, to the governmental authorities that oversee not-for-profit ministries, to independent auditors, to our Board of Directors, and ultimately to our partners.

Arising from the belief that a church is, by its very nature, an accountable entity, our ministry complies with, and exceeds, the legal requirements set forth by the Internal Revenue Service and other governing bodies which oversee the financial practices of churches.

Going above and beyond the government guidelines, each year our ministry undergoes a thorough audit by an independent firm that is noted for its expertise in the area of not-for-profit law and IRS compliance. This is significant, for these financial audits occur at the voluntary invitation of our Board of Directors and is not a requirement of the IRS or any other governmental body.

2. Specifically, how is your ministry governed?

Our highest calling is to honor God in all we do. This basic tenet of the Christian faith—satisfying Him first—is our foremost desire, and this certainly includes the fiduciary governance of Benny Hinn Ministries.

Recognizing, however, that we have a duty to maintain the confidence of our donors and adhere to the laws governing religious organizations, I intentionally set forth the policy of engaging external auditors to scrutinize the financial practices of this ministry beginning at the time of the ministry’s inception in 1984.

We differ from many not-for-profit ministries or charities, insofar as we are incorporated and operated as a church—World Healing Center Church. The IRS acknowledges this distinction and sets forth certain guidelines that govern financial disclosure and accountability.

While our first priority is to the Lord Jesus Christ, we have a solid reputation of going “above and beyond” when it comes to our governance and compliance with governmental agencies. My administration and staff follow our strict standards, as set forth by our Board of Directors.

3. What about Benny Hinn Ministries’ Board of Directors? Some critics have implied that your Board of Directors’ (along with other similar ministries) is not independent; so can you tell me about yours?

Benny Hinn Ministries has a fully functional and independent Board of Directors that governs the financial and operational affairs of the ministry. Its members include pastors and business leaders from around the country. They are elected (not appointed by me) and are not members of my family.

Although the day-to-day operations are carried out by the employees of the ministry, the Board is responsible for setting overall ministry policies as well as establishing fiduciary checks and balances. And as a part of our various Board meetings each year, our legal counsel is always present to ensure that the highest standards of care and governance are implemented in oversight of this ministry that you support so faithfully.

The duties of the directors include approving annual budgets, major capital expenditures, and fund-raising procedures and setting compensation for officers and executive leadership.

4. Do you have family members on your Board of Directors? If so. why? If not, why not?

None of my family members serve on the ministry’s board. We do this to avoid any conflict of interest, since the Board of Directors is the legal protectorate for the interests of all of the ministry's employees and partners.

5. Do you have a breakdown of how you use the contributions you receive? If so, what percentage actually goes to ministerial projects, as opposed to administrative costs and salaries?

On www.BennyHinn.org we openly publish both general financial information (click here to view the easily readable distribution of income chart for 2008) and specialized miracle service and missionary outreach reports which detail what the ministry is doing around the world with the gifts invested by our partners. As you can see on the chart, our administrative costs are exceptionally low compared to most organizations and corporations.

6. To which state and federal guidelines are churches and ministries obligated to submit, and how do you ensure your adherence to these guidelines?

As good citizens, we in this ministry also go above and beyond to “render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21), as the Lord instructed, and each year we submit all legal filings to the appropriate governmental authorities, ensuring that our ministry complies with both the spirit and the letter of the law in relation to all government agencies that have the authority to regulate church organizations.

As such, each year we file all required documentation to every municipal, state/provincial, and federal agency that requires us to do so. To accomplish this, we use preeminent legal firms in Washington, D.C., with professionals of the highest caliber, to oversee our ministry. Comprised of former IRS directors and agents, our legal team is guided by the finest tax, nonprofit, and general lawyers in the world.

We have done this in the past, and we are committed to always doing so without fail.

7. It has been reported that Benny Hinn Ministries, along with hundreds of other churches, charities and ministries, received a letter of inquiry from the IRS pertaining to the church’s use of exempt funds (donations).  Is that correct, and what was the outcome?

Over three years ago, Benny Hinn Ministries (along with many other large ministries, charities, and other exempt organizations) was contacted by the Internal Revenue Service, which asked a series of in-depth questions about our activities, expenditures, and governance. These questions probed deeply into every aspect of our organization and included questions on my compensation, my housing, our use of the ministry aircraft, my family’s employment, travel expenses, and many other areas—even going so far as to query our status as a church and a 501(c)(3) organization.

Following this exhaustive examination of our ministry, the IRS issued a letter to Benny Hinn Ministries on December 6, 2007, that stated: “As a result of our review, we have determined that your activities continue to meet the requirements of IRC [Internal Revenue Code] section tax-exempt, religious 501(c)(3) and you continue to qualify as an organization exempt from Federal income tax under that section. Furthermore, you remain classified as a church within the meaning of IRC section 170(b)(1)(A)(i) and 509(a)(1).” This “no change” declaration by the very branch of the federal government dedicated to the oversight of tax-exempt organizations was an affirmation of our ongoing commitment to compliance with the federal tax laws. Read more... 

8. To whom does Benny Hinn Ministries have any external financial accountability?

For well over three decades I have been adamant that our ministry must have an “above and beyond” standard when it comes to the seed you plant. In fact, each of our global ministry offices voluntarily complies with an independent annual audit performed by the best of the best.

The U.S. office is audited annually by one of America’s most respected CPA firms, Stanfield and O’Dell, founded in 1952. At a considerable annual cost, the ministry’s books are thoroughly scrubbed from top to bottom—including my compensation and travel—and have consistently been given the seal of approval.

In fact, for fifteen consecutive years, independent audit firms have given Benny Hinn Ministries a clean audit (Click here to view our audit cover letters). Because of my fear of offending my precious Lord or bringing shame to His name, I insist that we go far beyond what is required to ensure that our ministry’s finances are above reproach.

9. What are the basic legal requirements for financial disclosure the ministry has to meet?

In addition to the practice of a voluntary annual audit, voluntary submission to exceed governmental scrutiny, and our deference to a Board of Directors, we believe that the relationship with our donors is, ultimately, our most sacred trust. Pastor Benny Hinn is only one among his elected Board of Directors.

Decisions made by the Board of Directors require a majority vote of the Board and, in accordance with IRS rules and regulations, a vote of the Board is required to ratify such major financial commitments as property acquisitions, the incurring of significant debt, the annual operational and capital budget, and church expansion.

10. Does the ministry make public its annual financials or publish an audited financial report? If so, how is this information made available? If not, why not?

As mentioned previously, on www.BennyHinn.org we openly publish both general financial information (click here to view the easily readable distribution of income chart for 2008) and specialized miracle service and missionary outreach reports which detail what the ministry is doing around the world with the gifts invested by our partners.

However, mindful of the fact that both corporate and ministry financial reports can be manipulated by unscrupulous people with unsavory agendas, and in accordance with the regulations set forth by our Board of Directors, we do not publicize itemized annual financials or produce and distribute annual financial reports to the general public.

It is important to note that the practice of submitting to a governing board, adherence to governmental regulations, and compliance with all sanctioned regulatory bodies fully and legally complies with the IRS and the federal government.

As the recipient of charitable giving, our ministry is constantly reminded of its need to exercise prudence. And throughout the growth of our ministry we have recognized the scriptural imperative that, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48).

11. Benny Hinn Ministries (along with many other charismatic groups) has been criticized by independent “watchdog” groups. Does the ministry have concerns about disclosing its financial information to independent accountability organizations?

Established accountability groups certainly have their place and serve a worthwhile service to certain not-for-profit groups. However, Benny Hinn Ministries, along with many larger media-oriented ministries, has chosen not to be part of these groups which are geared more toward more traditional-type churches and ministries.

Some groups, for example, focus on comparing, ranking, and giving information in areas that include efficiency and transparency. Since these rating systems are often based on financial data derived from each organization’s IRS Form 990 or audited financial statements, in theory this should put the charities on a level playing field. Theories don’t always work, and financial statements can be interpreted many different ways, especially since there are many intangibles that cannot be measured. Efficiency of operation, for example, is very, very different from effectiveness of mission.

Ministries, as with corporations, may have excellent financial and efficiency ratings, yet aren’t necessarily effective on a long-term basis. It is especially challenging to evaluate ratios, numerical performance, and ministry criteria in the nonprofit sector.

It is ironic, though seldom mentioned in mainstream media reports, that many of these watchdog groups—undoubtedly well-meaning and ostensibly created for the purpose of monitoring and policing the financial activities of other not-for-profit ministries—seldom are able to come to agreement on how to effectively evaluate a ministry’s financial integrity. This fact alone illustrates the inherent limitations of such organizations.

12. How are you compensated, and who determines your salary?

My compensation (annual salary) is set by the members of Benny Hinn Ministries’ Board of Directors with the aid and counsel of Mercer and Company, one of the most respected executive compensation firms in America. This matter is then reviewed by numerous layers of legal counsel and compared with other ministry leaders of similar size and scope and other nonprofit and church organizations.

I am never a part of their decision when it comes to my compensation. And although the ministry’s Board of Directors believes that my total compensation is a private matter, it is well within what is considered prudent and reasonable.

13. Do you get royalties from the ministry for the books, CDs, and DVDs that are offered through the ministry?

I receive no royalties from the ministry for the products I offer on This Is Your Day! or at the miracle services, on our Web site, or on any other extension of the ministry. Every penny that comes to the ministry from product sales is invested back into the ministry.

14. What is the “prosperity teaching” referred to by critics, and how do you stand on that issue?

The term “prosperity teaching” or “prosperity Gospel” is one of the most misunderstood and misused in today’s language. (See additional teaching on biblical prosperity.) 

I believe in biblical prosperity. It is taught throughout the Bible. Giving to the Lord is so important that God has promised that those who give for the work of the Gospel will be blessed and protected.

We give because it is God’s will. We give because it is His command! We give because it is His law. We give because the Lord has commanded every believer to give. And the Lord Jesus promises that when we give, we will surely receive.

We cannot deny the fact that the Lord Himself tells us that we will receive. In fact, Paul the apostle went on to say that if we give sparingly, we will receive sparingly, and if we give bountifully, we will receive bountifully. But the purpose for giving is the fulfillment of God’s will—and that is the preaching of the Gospel!

When we give for the preaching of the Gospel, we don’t have to wait for the harvest. The harvest will be waiting for us! The harvest will come our way as surely as the sun will rise again tomorrow morning.

When we give for the Gospel—when we give for the right reasons—the harvest will surely come!

The Gospel must be preached, and true biblical prosperity is mentioned in Acts 4:32, which the Word of God declares:

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked. (Acts 4:32-34)

Here we see true biblical prosperity, which is no lack! That is what I believe will come when you give for the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Not only that, but the Bible goes on to say that when we give for the Gospel, our future will also be protected. In Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 we are told: “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.” It clearly says that when we give, we will be protected from the evil to come.

Remember that the Lord tells us in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” You don’t have to worry about God fulfilling His promises. If we do our part, He most certainly will do His.

Also, remember the great promise to us in Psalm 37:25, where the Bible says, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not see the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). The Lord has promised to take care of our needs and our children’s need, and neither we nor our children will ever be forsaken—as long as we obey the Lord and live a righteous life.

As I have said to you before, the days are short. We must get the Gospel out, and I believe with all my heart that harm to the unbeliever is on the way. The Scriptures tell us clearly that evil is coming to the wicked, but God’s people, who love and obey Him, will be protected. That is God’s Word!

That is true biblical prosperity, for God has also promised to protect your finances and to keep you safe financially, as you obey Him and continue to sow into His work. The Word of God tells us in Ecclesiastes 11:6, “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.”

15. Many of the medium and large ministries reportedly have private airplanes? Is that necessary? What about Benny Hinn Ministries?

Occasionally we receive inquiries about our use of Dove One, the ministry airplane, and I want you to know that we seek to be the best possible stewards in this area of ministry, as well. During the past year I crisscrossed the globe many times to present the Gospel in person to unprecedented multitudes. Millions of souls have accepted Jesus Christ as their eternal Savior as a result.

Our flight logs show that each of the hundreds of times I have flown aboard Dove One in 2007—spending an astonishing 540 hours in the air as of the date of this letter—has been exclusively for ministry-related travel.

As you may remember when you were helping me acquire this aircraft, the Board of Directors of Benny Hinn Ministries retained the services of Klaskin, Kushner and Company, a nationally respected aviation consulting firm, to assess our aviation needs and requirements. When calculating the time spent in the air annually, coupled with the number of worldwide ministry destinations, the firm confirmed that our chosen aircraft meets minimum standards of need.

By comparison, according to the National Business Aviation Association, the average major corporation’s plane spends 408 hours in the air—for all of their executives combined! And the upcoming months point to an even greater pace for us as we seek to fulfill Matthew 24:14, to take this end-time witness to the nations!

16. Why does a ministry like yours need an airplane?

In the past we have utilized smaller planes and often had to resort to restrictive and cumbersome commercial flights for overseas travel. Having our own airplane is the only way I can continue to minister as we are doing now. By going to the nations on commercial airlines, the preparation and flight times alone would more than double. Safety would become a greater issue. Physically, I could simply not maintain my current schedule or fulfill the vision God has given us to reach the nations of the world in this historic global harvest.

17. Many ministries, organizations, and corporations are criticized for making lots of promises to raise finances, but then are not always staying as committed to fulfilling those promises. What kind of track record does Benny Hinn Ministries have?

To borrow from business vernacular, our accountability to our donors is best demonstrated on their return on investment—which, in this case, are millions of lives changed for all eternity. As we co-labor with our precious partners, we preach to millions of souls each year. Our daily television ministry, already one of the largest in the world with broadcasts in over 200 nations, continues to expand. Our missionary outreaches are touching thousands of lives every day throughout the world.

Our partners understand that our ministry, based on a strong foundation for thirty years, understands the value of Godly stewardship and wise counsel. For our partners and ministry friends, the results are very clear. Now, more than ever, this ministry is fertile ground for investing in an eternal harvest around the globe.

18. You obviously have to work within certain legal and governmental restrictions, but ultimately you are responsible to God and the partners who support you. How do you balance “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” and “seek ye first the kingdom of God”?

We do have above-and-beyond accountability standards in place. First and foremost, I fear God too much to ever trifle with the money entrusted to me by His precious people.

Next in priority to our accountability to God, we understand that we have a sacred trust with our partners. I have mentioned our practice of a voluntary annual audit, voluntary submission to governmental scrutiny, the watchful supervision of the world’s most respected legal firms, and our deference to our Board of Directors.

Your seed is handled with the utmost integrity and respect. Those who have been with me during the past three and a half decades of ministry understand how diligent we have been in our desire to be both good citizens and faithful stewards.

19. If you had to reduce all of Benny Hinn Ministries down to a single vision statement, what would it be and how does that affect everything that you do, in terms of organization and accountability?

That statement is found in Mark 16:15—“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

It is also found in Matthew 24:14—“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

God’s Great Commission is our mission, and our ministry remains confident that its approach to fiduciary governance is respectful of its supporters and of its various levels of government. We remain certain that the manner in which we handle our finances must always honor the scriptural mandate by which we serve.

That is why Benny Hinn Ministries offers an abundance of information and reports to partners through correspondence, our Web site, conferences for partners, and more.

The bottom line is this: Churches and ministries are obligated to submit to a governing board and adhere to state and federal guidelines—the sufficiency of which has satisfied the wonderful, faithful partners of this ministry for three decades. We are prejudiced, perhaps, but we believe the people who give to our ministry are the best-informed, spiritually mature, and most eternally visionary of any partners in the world. They are the highly appreciated “secret” of our effectiveness and longevity. 

Because of our partners and faithful stewardship, we remain confident that God will continue to bless our ministry until the blessed day we are called to be with Him!