Mac Hammond defends himself

12 Feb 2007 // A nationally known pastor from Brooklyn Park dramatically defended himself and his church Sunday morning.

Mac Hammond spent nearly his entire hour-long sermon, which is broadcast on KARE 11, refuting allegations made by a Washington watchdog group.

That group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, claims the Living Word Christian Center broke federal tax laws by arranging certain lucrative financial deals for Hammond.

"I can understand why a lot of people would look at us with skepticism," Hammond said.

Hammond's church has nearly 10,000 members and, he told his congregation Sunday morning, last year it generated nearly $34 million in gross revenues.

Hammond says because of the church's success, he may be falling victim to a common stereotype.

"Irresponsibly using the pulpit authority to fleece the unsuspecting flock of God," Hammond preached. "That's very often the stereotype that is attached to a ministry such as we are."

Nevertheless, Hammond said all of the church's financial dealings are reviewed by a Washington-based law firm that specializes in ministerial compensation.

"We have gone to every extreme to make sure every legal requirement, every regulatory statute has been addressed, amen," Hammond said.

The watchdog group says it has provided the I.R.S. with "startling" information that should lead to an investigation.

Hammond's "Living Word Live" program is broadcast on KARE 11 every Sunday morning.