By Mark Dawes, Staff Reporter 
Munroe
DR. MYLES Munroe has decried the practice of TV preachers begging for funds on the air to ensure their continued presence on the screen.
"I think when you go on television - you are providing a service. Therefore you should get your support other than from the people who you are serving. I really do not encourage people to beg on television. I think it does not speak well for the church as a service organisation. The church should support its own work."
Dr. Munroe, 48, who is pastor of the 2000-strong Bahamas Faith Ministries International Fellowship said: "If there are individuals who would like to sponsor those programmes and do it privately I think that's fine. But I do not think its in good taste for these ministries to go on national television and beg the audience for direct help. I know there are organisation such as the Red Cross - I think if people want to give to those charities including Christian Television - they can do it in a very tasteful way at certain times of the year. But there should never be a daily diet (of begging) because television was made for service. If you come on TV in my house I want to enjoy. I don't want you to make me feel guilty."
He expressed the view that since the tele-evangelists scandals of the 1980s, Christian Television has improved to the extent that more ministries have become more accountable. "One of the best things that could have happened to the church is the exposure of corruption and lack of accountability in the areas of finances. I do think that today, we've seen great improvement. The United States Government has got involved and demanded improvements. However, that I don't think the same thing is happening in many churches here in the Caribbean. Right now we (Bahamas Faith Ministries) are actively developing a model in our ministry to establish some kind of accountability standardisation for churches and Christian organisations in the Caribbean. We are also in the process of becoming a member ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Yes, I do think my colleagues have actually improved. It is very good to see that many of them have been submitting reports to accounting bodies- Governments should demand more accountability from churches and ministries so that they can protect the people's interest," Dr. Munroe said.
The widely viewed TV preacher was in the island last month for the first leg of the Gospel showcase, 'Fun in the Son' which was held in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
