![Quick Quotes: Kenya Moore Addresses Nene Leakes’ ‘Big Ego’… [VIDEO]](http://cdn.straightfromthea.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Kenya-Moore-Rolling-Out-121.jpg)
![NEWSFLASH! Usher Raymond’s Nanny Sues For Unpaid Wages… [PHOTOS]](http://cdn.straightfromthea.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Cecilia-Duncan-Usher-Nanny-520x693.jpg)
It’s official. Bishop Eddie Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is laying off jobs and cutting salaries.
New Birth is one of the largest mega churches in the country with over 25,000 members on it’s roster. Over $20 million dollars was collected from it’s members through tithes and offerings last year, with more than $1 million designated directly to Eddie Long’s pockets as love offerings.
So with all those people and all that money coming in, why in the world would the church be laying off jobs and cutting salaries?
Could it be all the national attention that their leader is getting after facing civil lawsuits with 4 men accusing him of sexual misdeeds? 
Perhaps it’s that the church also lost money in the financial scandal that Long pleaded about in that YouTube video.
Oh wait… maybe it’s because flocks of members stopped drinking the kool-aid and are finally leaving the church in search of a less scandalous church home.
Shoot… if my church was getting sued and shot up every other day, I’d leave too!
[READ: Shots Fired at Bishop Eddie Long's Church... (Literally!)]
Long’s infamous sex scandal could be the major blame of it all. He famously vowed to “fight very vigorously” against the lawsuits, but by mid-December he decided to keep things on the “low” by agreeing to mediation (read: a private resolution that will likely make out-of-court financial settlements contingent upon the silence of his alleged victims).
The cases are still pending but it seems mighty suspicious that New Birth is cutting back on some of it’s finances.
They claim it’s the economy that’s forced them to take drastic measures but I know I’m not the only one who feels it’s Long’s confidential settlement with the four young men who accused him of sexual coercion that may be putting a dent in the Church’s pockets.
According to the AJC, New Birth released a statement staying about cutting jobs and said they also adopted a “pilot program” adjusting the work week from five to four days.
“Like numerous other churches and charitable organizations across Georgia and the rest of the country, New Birth and its faith community have been impacted by the nationwide downturn in the economy,” according to a statement.
Art Franklin (New Birth spokesperson) said the church “responded with fiscal prudence and common sense” to the changes in the economy.
It was unclear whether the compensation of the pastor, Bishop Eddie Long, was affected by the changes or how many people are employed at New Birth. The statement said Long’s compensation is determined by an independent board, “in conjunction with advice and counsel of New Birth’s CPAs and tax advisers, all in accordance with IRS regulations.”
In recent weeks, church members and New Birth watchers say attendance has declined. Some placed the blame on the recent legal scandal involving Long, while New Birth said it is experiencing “a shift in the worship pattern,” but said it’s because there has been a “marked increase” in the number of people watching services online.
The church has also stopped having its popular Easter service at the Georgia Dome. The service typically drew tens of thousands of worshipers but in lieu of the scandal, that’s been put on hold indefinitely.
So with all the member & monetary losses you would think Long would step aside and let someone else lead his flock while he takes care of his legal issues… but nope. That ain’t happening!
If you think Long’s learned anything from being publicly “outed” think again…
In the midst of the mediation, Bishop Long held the first of three Monday night men’s-only prayer vigils at his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church earlier this week. In preparation, Long posted the following video to call all “men” to stand in prayer.
He’s asking for collective prayer session for our nation, but in reality it’s the Bishop who needs prayer and guidance.
VIDEO: Bishop Eddie Long Calling All Men…
“Men all men, starting tomorrow night and the next three Monday nights … we will be worshipping in the sanctuary and praying. God has put a mandate on me to call men together—the Bible says three times a year shall men come together to praise and bless his name and bring an offering worthy of the Lord. So you’re bringing an offering, we’re praying, and God specifically said pray for this nation in such a time as this.
And when God says pray for the nation, that means there’s something serious. And I believe that we’ll get a breakthrough for this nation for our president, for the Congress, for the Senate, for the governors around this country, etcetera, that they’ll do justice, love, mercy, walk humbly with you and a revival and a revolution would break out for the spirit in the kingdom of God. …You don’t have to be a member of this church to be here for our prayer. If you’re a man, come, join us, bring your friends. We’re going to have a wonderful time in the glory of the Lord.”
What do you think of all this New Birth hoopla? Will it ever end?
You may also like:
Atlanta Radio Tea - The End Of The Frank & Wanda Morning Show...?
Yet Another Lawsuit for Bishop Eddie Long...
VIDEO: Bishop Eddie Long's Pulpit Confession (SPOOF)![New Dance Alert! "The Eddie Long Stroke" [VIDEO]](http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/straightfromthea.com/9aeb9475d7088141b364c055156d2e34_thumb_Screen-shot-2010-10-22-at-2.52.25-PM-e1287774334623-520x353.png "New Dance Alert! \"The Eddie Long Stroke\" [VIDEO]")
New Dance Alert! "The Eddie Long Stroke" [VIDEO]
Video Premiere: "No Hands" ~ Bishop Eddie Long & the Durrty Boyz *SPOOF*![Bishop Eddie Long Wants His Accusers to Know… [VIDEO]](http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/straightfromthea.com/d568fb44f32fd745b930c40dd3b8c052_thumb_Screen-shot-2011-04-25-at-3.24.54-PM-e1303759619224-520x579.png "Bishop Eddie Long Wants His Accusers to Know… [VIDEO]")
Bishop Eddie Long Wants His Accusers to Know… [VIDEO]![Bishop Eddie Long's Wife Wants You To Know... [She's Finally Fed Up!] ...](http://imgcdn.nrelate.com/image_cache/straightfromthea.com/261cd013cfb19e6cdfb9a8cd1d2bb177_thumb_eddie-long-and-vanessa-longjpg-515300be8ee671a1_large.jpg "Bishop Eddie Long's Wife Wants You To Know... [She's Finally Fed Up!] ...")
Bishop Eddie Long's Wife Wants You To Know... [She's Finally Fed Up!] ...
What in the heezy is a "shift in worship patterns"? That some made up mess if I have ever heard any.
Well it sholl wasn’t going to increase the jobs there, sssoo……..yeah!
Probably those settlements he’s going to pay out, so he got to cut jobs.
I bet he didn’t take any cut in pay…..smh! I feel for those caught up in his mess and wish he would just step down.
I bet he didn’t take any cut in pay…..smh! I feel for those caught up in his mess and wish he would just step down.
People are repulsed by his bathroom photo shoots so attendance is low. Oh well Bishop Longstroke, find some new revenue. Perhaps a line of jheri curl wigs are in store.
People are repulsed by his bathroom photo shoots so attendance is low. Oh well Bishop Longstroke, find some new revenue. Perhaps a line of jheri curl wigs are in store.
This is so sad for the black community.For decades the church was a foundation for new beginnings.Now people faith is in jeopardy…if they were trusting in man and not GOD.
This is so sad for the black community.For decades the church was a foundation for new beginnings.Now people faith is in jeopardy…if they were trusting in man and not GOD.
The problem is prosperity gospel has become a joke – how one can prosper during the tough time. It is amazing how misdirect this is and it show that man will always fall short the glory of the Lord.
This church claim it was create millionaires out of all the members.
U would be shocked to known this church has a
HIGH DIVORCE RATE!
I used to go to church for a long time but I was very disappointed at the fact the leaders of the church were self-helping and not helping others. If you were to calculate the unemployment rate of this church’s population it would be higher than the state of GA. Whatever happened to "we take care of our owns" that is totally BS!
I surprised Bishop Long did not stepped down. But who is going to take his place or who wants to?
To hold a 5 minutes speech truly reveals what Bishop is really about – himself. How dare u quote from the bible then a week later u said u know what let settle this behind doors?
Either u is guilty or u isn’t.
OJ was innocent but he snapped because yall have him guilty from the get go!
That is so right don’t put ur trust in man he will fail u all the time. That is why I watch church on TV its drama every were.
I like a church that teaches the principles and stay in compliance with the bible. Doesn’t one become a Bishop by the direct order of Pope anyhow?
I am not even going to give Pastor Dollars the benefit of doubt – they TEACH tongues speaking? R u serious that is like teaching a kid how to curse!
Prosperity gospel is so 90’s Today we need to go back to basic of What Would Jesus Do?
One thing Atlien – 20 million budget means someone is mismanaging the money because obvious there is a deficit – u don’t laid off a staff with that kind of budget unless the church is a day late an dollar short?
Teriffic post. I hope you’re invited to discuss this issue in multiple forums. Bishop Long is wrong and he needs help. The man is deeply troubled and should not serve as a pastor. He needs counseling and treatment.
Any thinking person would question what is going on in that church if they are members. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire and there have been a string of scandals plaguing New Birth for months now. The dirt always rises to the top of the water eventually and this man thinks that he can get away with anything and he is going to have "Sheep" following and believing in him no matter what.
I would love to hear his WIFE’s take on the matter.
What a crook! I’m sure he has pocketed more than they are claiming. I can’t stand folks who use the Lord’s name to scam innocent people. I wonder why he’s having prayer sessions for MEN ONLY…..HMMMM?
The man is a phony, fraud, perv and the creator will stomp these megachurches out one at a time. This is why people are called sheep, we are too quick to follow and too slow to lead. There should have never been a scandal if the people of New Birth would have put God first and not trusted the words of a man with a questionable past and even more questionable hairstyles. Come on now…y’all know dude was wearing wigs!
It’s wayyyy too many PIMPS in the PULPIT!!!!!
By him being a man of GOD if he loves him like he proclaims then he should confess his sins & step down. It’s not us he has to prove anything to it’s GOD. His pride should be eating him up. He can probably be the next model for speedo’s. I hear there hiring. lol I pray his wife is safe. he ought to be ashamed of hisself. she is innocent. my prayers go out to her. be strong sista troubles don’t last always.
[...] …even after all the New Birth church employee lay-offs… [...]
Of course he wants a few man only meetings.he needs to find new sex partners …. He can’t use teens anymore after the scandal.
If Bishop Long was innnocent he would never settle, so now it appears he don’t want to the true facts to come out. The Bible said beware of false prophets. Creflo should be ashamed to turn people away from his Church. It’s one thing to fall by the wayside but this could cause some people who are not as strong as others to turn from GOD altogether and woe to Creflo and Long. I will never join a Church again where they put their trust in the pastor – my complete trust is in GOD only – He is the only one who will not change on you. At some of these mega churches the pastors are living the good life and their members can barely eat because the pastors are draining them. SHAME ON EDDIE LONG AND SHAME ON CREFLO DOLLAR BUT STANDING UP FOR WRONG!!!!!!
Creflo Dollar is too arrogant – He is no better than anyone else – A lot of hustlers came out the streets and into the churches. These people don’t realize how serious it is to use God and the church for financial gain. Whenever I see Creflo on t.v. I change the channel immediately. It appears to me that he bully his congregation. I don’t know what these people are afraid of, Creflo do not have a Heaven or Hell to put anyone in – but he think he does. KEEP PLAYING WITH GOD AND CHANGING THE RULES WHEN IT’S CONVENIENT FOR YOU – AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. BISHOP LONG SHOULD JUST COME OUT OF THE CLOSET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gosh, I pray for his soul. Hmm THIS is starting to all make sense now.He associates with a bunch of people with that struggle with sexual demons….afterall Bishop Earl Paulk was his spiritual father.