To put it into perspective, he could have said the same thing about Greyhound buses.
Instead, he was talking about the spiritual atmosphere of a public place. On the contrary, he emphasized how much he cared about people.
And Copeland made it clear that he wasn’t referring to people when he was talking about demons. She focused on one quote from several years ago in which Copeland said he bought his own private plane so that he didn’t have to fly “in a long tube with a bunch of demons.” Those who know Copeland immediately realized his comment was purposefully a little tongue in cheek. Reporter Ignores the Goodīut the reporter didn’t focus on those good qualities. I feel at peace with the way Copeland’s ministry conducts its affairs - to the extent that I support them financially each month out my own pocket. His ministry has also given millions of dollars to help the poor - something they couldn’t have done if they weren’t as big as they are.Įvery person I’ve ever known who works in Copeland’s ministry is of high caliber, ethical and honest. He has consistently preached the gospel, winning as many as 122 million people to Christ, according to what he said in the interview. Since that interview 40 years ago, I have watched Copeland conduct his life and ministry with integrity. Charisma highlighted Copeland and his ministry on the cover of our June 1979 issue and explored his message of faith and abundant life - a message he has held to faithfully to this day. I interviewed Copeland while sitting in the back of his prop plane all those decades ago. Then on the other side, I share on my podcast my unscripted thoughts about the integrity I’ve seen in Copeland and his ministry going back 40 years to when I first interviewed him in 1979. Please Support The Stream: Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day. I saw this same thing four decades ago when I was in secular journalism. In my opinion, this type of journalism is so predictable I could write the story and just leave the names blank. He doesn’t need me to speak for him, and no one from his ministry asked me to record a podcast or write this newsletter with my insight on how the secular media covers ministries. Of course, the media that picked up the story reported none of that and instead only focused on his use of a private airplane. To me, it was if he was ministering to a brand-new audience on Inside Edition as he showed respect and love to the reporter, even praying for her by name. Instead, he answered the questions and talked about spiritual warfare, the Abrahamic covenant, the number of people who have accepted Christ through his ministry and the millions they give to the poor. At the same time, I believe other Christian leaders should stand with Copeland and let him know we believe he handled the situation well.Ĭopeland could have closed the door and driven off, and some ministry leaders would have done that. In my view, it was the “same old, same old” journalistic treatment of successful media ministers. Worth Star Telegram and Fox News online - I felt I needed to share my opinion. So when I saw how Inside Edition did an ambush interview with evangelist Kenneth Copeland - and how it was picked up by the Ft. Last evening, he posted a response to the Inside Edition attack piece.Īs a journalist, I understand the media game. Like James, Charisma Magazine publisher Steve Strang has known Kenneth Copeland for decades. James Robison has written today on The Stream, in the current social climate all Christians are a target. Jesus said, “If they hate me, they will hate you.” And clearly, as Rev. The ambushing of Copeland is no surprise. The news hook is a familiar one … if stale: Bashing Copeland for having a private plane for his non-stop engagements all over the globe. Blowing up an old quote where Copeland said he flies private because he “doesn’t want to fly in a long tube with a bunch of demons.” More accurately, they are in a feeding frenzy over statements made by the interview-shy 82-year-old after he was ambushed in a garage by a reporter. Note: The media is all amped up by an interview television evangelist Kenneth Copeland gave to Inside Edition.