Eddie Long

Eddie Lee Long (May 12, 1953 – January 15, 2017) was an American pastor who served as the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a megachurch in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, from 1987 until his death in 2017.

For the Canadian ice hockey player, see Eddie Long (ice hockey).

Eddie Long
Born
Eddie Lee Long

(1953-05-12)May 12, 1953
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedJanuary 15, 2017(2017-01-15) (aged 63)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Alma materNorth Carolina Central University
International College of Excellence
OccupationPastor
Years active1985–2017
EmployerNew Birth Missionary Baptist Church
(1987–2017)
Spouse(s)
Dabara S. Houston
​
(
m. 1981; div. 1985)
[1]
Vanessa Griffin
​
(
m. 1990; his death 2017)
Children4
AwardsTrumpet Award[2]

When Long started as pastor for New Birth Church, there were 300 church members, which grew to 25,000.[3] During this time, Long was a subject of a Senate investigation, concerning whether he personally profited from his church's tax-exempt status, which eventually ended without a finding of wrongdoing. Also, civil lawsuits were filed against him alleging sexual abuse of underage male members of his parish. Long denied wrongdoing through his attorneys and privately settled the lawsuits out of court for undisclosed amounts.

Early life and education

Long was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 12, 1953,[2] the son of the Rev. Floyd M. Long, Jr. and Hattie Long.[4] He attended North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, where he received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1977.[5] In 2008, Long donated $1 million to the university to establish a professorship in his name, saying "I am making (the donation) from my own personal income," which comes from various real estate ventures and also as royalties from his books.[5] Long then worked as a factory sales representative for the Ford Motor Corporation, but was fired after he submitted expense reports that included personal telephone calls.[3][6][7]

Long claimed to hold a doctorate in "Pastoral Ministry" from the unaccredited International College of Excellence, which is not recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or United States Department of Education, the two institutions responsible for recognizing educational accrediting institutions in the United States[8][9]

Life and ministry

Following his dismissal from Ford, he moved to Atlanta to study theology and became the pastor of a small Jonesboro, Georgia church.[3] In 1987 he became the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, which at the time had around 300 members. Under Long, membership grew to 25,000.[3] The church may be considered part of the Bapticostal movement.[10] Long married Dabara S. Houston in 1981 and they were divorced soon afterwards. The couple have a son, Edward Long. Houston said she was the victim of "cruel treatment" and was afraid of Long's "violent and vicious temper," according to Fulton County Superior Court records. She and her son allegedly "had to flee the couple's Fairburn home in order to ensure their safety". Long vigorously denied the allegations and in 1985 Houston was awarded custody of the then 2-year-old son.[1]

Long married Vanessa Griffin in 1990. After he was accused of sexually molesting young fatherless boys in the church, she filed for divorce in December 2011.[11] On the same day New Birth's public relations firm claimed that she had rethought her decision and would withdraw her petition: "Upon further prayerful reflection Vanessa Long is withdrawing the divorce petition." However Griffin's attorneys later confirmed that she would continue with the divorce.[11] In response, Long stated that he would be taking a leave of absence from his ministry in an attempt to save his marriage, and that "he needed time to take care of 'some family business.'"[12] Later that month, New Birth Christian Academy, founded by Long, announced it was closing due to lack of donations and "sending hundreds of students scrambling to find a new school by the following week", in the wake of Long's marital and sexual problems.[11]

On February 17, 2012, one of Long's lawyers, Lawrence Cooper, confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Vanessa Long had asked that the divorce petition be dismissed. Cooper declined to say if the Longs were reunited. In an emailed response to the AJC, Vanessa's lawyers declined to comment.[13] On September 5, 2012, during the Heart to Heart Women's Ministry Conference at New Birth, Vanessa Long stated that while she struggled with the decision to divorce Long following those accusations of sexual misconduct with male minors, she chose to return to her marriage and to the New Birth family so she could share her experience and offer guidance for others.[14]

Theological beliefs

In 1994, Long was given the title "bishop" in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, a group of black Baptist churches that embraced Pentecostal practices.[15] Long's sermons, writings and teachings emphasize a "chain of command"[16] between certain superiors and subordinates characterized by "respect, submission and obedience". Long saw the first link in the chain as being a man choosing to be respectful, submissive and obedient to God. A woman chooses to be respectful, submissive and obedient to her father or husband. To live otherwise is to be outside of the divinely established order, and will result in the loss of spiritual and natural benefits.[16] Long was considered a preacher of the prosperity gospel who taught that his followers would be blessed with material wealth.[17][18]

Career events

In 2006, Long was chosen by the family of Martin Luther King, Jr. to host and officiate the funeral for Mrs. Coretta Scott King, wife of the late civil rights pioneer.[19] The event was attended by four Presidents (George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter).[20]

Long was a prominent supporter of George W. Bush's faith-based initiatives.[21] His ministry received a million dollar grant from the U.S. Administration for Children & Families.[21] Rev. Timothy McDonald suggested a link between Long's anti-gay activity and the grant saying "If you look at the black pastors who have come out with the faith-based money, they're the same ones who have come out with campaigns on the gay marriage issue."[21] On January 31, 2012, a video was released depicting a ceremony at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church wherein Messianic Jewish preacher Ralph Messer presented a Torah scroll to Long, wrapped him in it, and symbolically elevated him to a position of spiritual kingship before a cheering congregation.[22] Some Jewish leaders objected and characterized the ceremony as disrespectful to the Jewish faith and traditions.[23]

Controversies

Salary and Senate investigation

In 2005, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that between 1997 and 2000, Long received more than $3.07 million worth of compensation and benefits from his non-profit charity, 'Bishop Eddie Long Ministries Inc.' Long contended that the charity did not solicit donations from members but instead gained its income from royalties, speaking fees and several large donations.[24] In 2007 a three-year investigation by the United States Senate Committee on Finance into the tax-exempt status of six ministries, including Long's,[25] concluded that there were no definitive findings of wrongdoing.[26] Donations to the church dropped significantly following the investigation of Long's salary and church finances.[27]

Teaching regarding sexual orientation

CNN has said "Long frequently denounces homosexual behavior."[28] Long has ministered "homosexual cure" programs to recruit gays and lesbians for what he called "Sexual Reorientation" conferences and his church offers an ongoing "Out of the Wilderness" ministry to help convert homosexuals into heterosexuals.[29]

In 2004, Long led a march with Bernice King to the grave of her father, Martin Luther King, Jr. The march was a protest against same-sex marriage and in support of a national constitutional amendment to limit marriage rights to couples comprising "one man and one woman."[30][31]

In 2006, Long's appearance at Atlanta's Interdenominational Theological Center's spring graduation led to Black theologian James Cone—who was scheduled to receive an honorary degree—to boycott the ceremony. Thirty-three graduating seniors sent a letter to the seminary's president "questioning Long's theological and ethical integrity to be their commencement speaker." Many students did not agree with Long's beliefs that God can "deliver" homosexuals and his teachings on prosperity.[32] A 2007 article in the Southern Poverty Law Center's magazine called him "one of the most virulently homophobic black leaders in the religiously based anti–gay movement."[28]

Allegations of sexual impropriety and lawsuits

In September 2010, Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg, Jamal Parris and Spencer LeGrande filed separate lawsuits alleging that Long used his pastoral influence to coerce them into sexual relationships with him.[33][34][35] The plaintiffs state that Long placed the men on the church's payroll, bought them cars and other gifts, including overseas trips.[36][37]

The lawsuits stated that Long would "discuss the Holy Scripture to justify and support the sexual activity."[36] Long denied the allegations through his attorneys and spokesman. In a prepared statement, Long said, "I have devoted my life to helping others and these false allegations hurt me deeply."[38][39][40]

On September 26, Long spoke to the New Birth congregation but he did not address the issue directly. Long spoke of painful times and said, "I've been accused. I'm under attack. I want you to know, as I said earlier, I am not a perfect man, but this thing, I'm going to fight."[41] Long's unwillingness to address the accusations directly prompted a group of over 70 people, headed by the pastor of a small church in South Carolina, to hold a protest rally on the steps of the Georgia state Capitol on October 31, 2010, calling for Long's resignation.[42]

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in May 2011, that the lawsuits were settled out of court; terms were undisclosed. Later on, media outlets indicated that Centino Kemp was the fifth accuser who also settled.[43][44] On May 30, 2011, an episode of the documentary series Sex Scandals In Religion[45] aired on Canadian television network VisionTV. It took an investigative look at the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior by Long with young men in his care.[45]

Weight loss and death

In August 2016, Long received major attention on Twitter when he posted a video on Facebook of himself which showed his drastic weight loss. In the video, he said he was eating "raw vegetables" instead of a "slave menu" and that he was not on any medications.[46][47]

In September 2016, Long issued a statement saying he was "recovering" from an unspecified illness and that the illness was "unrelated" to his diet.[48][49][50][51]

Long died on January 15, 2017, at the age of 63. The church issued a statement describing the cause of death as an "aggressive form of cancer".[52][53][17]

Books
  • Your Vision Is Too Small[54]
  • I Don't Want Delilah, I Need You!: What a Woman Needs to Know and what a Man Needs to Understand[55]
  • What a Man Wants, What a Woman Needs: The Secret to Successful, Fulfilling Relationships[56]
  • The Power of a Wise Woman[57]
  • Called to Conquer: A Daily Devotional to Energize and Encourage You in Word and Spirit[58]
  • Taking Over[59]
  • The Church: Living Without Love[60]
  • Gladiator: The Strength of a Man[61]
  • The Blessing in Giving[62]
  • Deliver Me From Adam[63]
  • 60 Seconds to Greatness: Seize the Moment and Plan for Success with Cecil Murphey[64]
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References
  1. Boone, Christian; Tygami, Ty (December 29, 2010). "Bishop Eddie Long—Ex-wife accused him in divorce papers of abuse". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  2. "Brand pastor built fosters fierce member loyalty". Fox News. October 2, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  3. McKinley, James C.; Brown, Robbie (September 25, 2010). "Sex Scandal Threatens a Georgia Pastor's Empire". The New York Times.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Quinn, Christopher (August 8, 2008). "Bishop Eddie Long donates $1M to alma mater". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  6. Walton, Jonathan L. (February 1, 2009). Watch this! The ethics and aesthetics of black televangelism. New York University Press. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-8147-9417-3.
  7. Klingaman, Steve (September 28, 2010). "Eddie L. Long: David or Goliath?". rootspeak.org.
  8. "Accrediting Agencies Not Recognized Under GAAP". Degree.net. 2008. Archived from the original on March 8, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  9. Great Moments in Accreditation: The Case of IAC, ACI, and The Three Stooges, quackwatch.org, January 19, 2017.
  10. Walton, Jonathan L. (February 1, 2009). Watch this! The ethics and aesthetics of black televangelism. New York University Press. p. 126. ISBN 978-0-8147-9417-3.
  11. Boone, Christian (with Ernie Suggs) (December 28, 2011). "New Birth academy closes; hundreds of students looking for new school". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  12. Severson, Kim (December 4, 2011). "Charismatic Church Leader, Dogged by Scandal, to Stop Preaching for Now". New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  13. Seward, Christopher (February 17, 2012). "Vanessa Long calls off divorcing New Birth pastor Bishop Eddie Long". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  14. Weber, Katherine (June 21, 2014). "Bishop Eddie Long Divorce Storm Discussed by Wife Vanessa Long". Christian Post Reporter. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  15. Blake, John. "Titles from God: What's in a title? Quite a lot, to a new generation of pastors who leave 'the Rev.' behind in favor of more elaborate designations." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 12, 2002. p. B.1
  16. Walton, Jonathan L. (February 1, 2009). Watch this! The ethics and aesthetics of black televangelism. New York University Press. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-8147-9417-3.
  17. "Eddie Long, controversial megachurch pastor in Georgia, dies aged 63". The Guardian. January 15, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  18. Kim Severson and Robbie Brown (December 4, 2011). "Charismatic Church Leader, Dogged by Scandal, to Stop Preaching for Now". New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  19. "New Birth Missionary Church Hosts King's Funeral". NPR. February 7, 2006. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  20. McNamara, Melissa (February 7, 2006). "Four Presidents Join 10,000 Mourners At Coretta Scott King's Funeral". cbsnews.com. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  21. "Ga. Pastor Who Backed Bush 'Faith-Based' Plan Under Fire Over Salary". Church & State. 58 (9): 16–17. October 2005.
  22. Video on YouTube
  23. "Jewish leaders offended by Ga. preacher's ceremony". Fox News. February 2, 2012.
  24. Blake, John (August 28, 2005). "Bishop's charity generous to bishop". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  25. Lohr, Kathy (December 4, 2007). "Senator Probes Megachurches' Finances". NPR.org. Retrieved December 10, 2007.
  26. Zoll, Rachel (July 1, 2011). "Televangelists escape penalty in Senate inquiry". NBCNEWS.com. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  27. "Bishop Long's church takes financial hit after scandal". Michigan Chronicle. Detroit, Mich. March 9, 2011. p. A3.
  28. CNN Wire Staff (September 23, 2010). "Atlanta pastor cancels interview, news conference about sex scandal". CNN. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  29. Kirven, C.D. (September 23, 2010). ""Ministering Treachery", The Truth Concerning Bishop Eddie Long's Spiritual Wilderness". lezgetreal.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  30. Muskus, Jeff (September 21, 2010). "Eddie Long, Atlanta Bishop, Denies Accusations Of Sexual Abuse By Male Parishioners". huffingtonpost.com. Associated Press. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  31. Barry, Ellen (December 11, 2004). "Atlanta 'legacy' march troubles rights leaders/King's daughter in anti-gay marriage protest". Los Angeles Times.
  32. "Bishop Eddie Long tackles controversy". New Pittsburgh Courier. May 17, 2006. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  33. Staff (September 21, 2010). "Men allege sexual coercion by prominent Atlanta pastor". CNN.com. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  34. Matterucci, Megan (September 22, 2010). "Third lawsuit filed against Bishop Eddie Long". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  35. Bluestein, Greg (September 24, 2010). "4th Man Sues Ga. Megachurch Pastor". abcnews.com. Associated Press. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  36. Matteucci, Megan; Boone, Christian (September 23, 2010). "Bishop Eddie Long Radio interview, press conference canceled in wake of 3rd lawsuit". ajc.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  37. Gay, Mara (September 22, 2010). "Preacher Eddie Long Faces Third Sex Abuse Claim". aolnews.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  38. Boone, Christian; Craig Schneider; Megan Matteucci; Ernie Suggs (September 24, 2010). "Bishop Eddie Long: 4th lawsuit filed; Long tells followers 'we will arise'". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, GA: Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  39. Poole, Sheila M.; Craig Schneider (September 23, 2010). "Bishop Eddie Long: Pastor, attorney speak out about lawsuits. Is it enough?". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, GA: Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  40. Haines, Errin (September 22, 2010). "Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Long Denies Sex Claims". ABC.com. Associated Press. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  41. "Ga. megachurch pastors congregation standing by him despite claims of sexual relationships". foxnews.com. Associated Press. September 27, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  42. Jabali-Nash, Naimah (November 1, 2010). "Bishop Eddie Long Scandal: Rally Calls for Embattled Pastor to Resign". CBS News Crimesiders. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  43. Poole, Shelia M.; Boone, Christian (May 27, 2011). "Eddie Long case officially dismissed". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  44. "Bishop Eddie Long Update: Fox 5's I-Team Uncovers 5th Accuser In Sex Scandal". vibe.com. Vibe. July 29, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  45. Sex Scandals In Religion, vibe.com. Archived July 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  46. "Fix It, Jesus: Twitter Drags Eddie Long for His New Look". bet.com. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  47. "Bishop Eddie Long posts video explaining his lean new look – Atlanta Buzz with Jennifer Brett". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution blog. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  48. "Twitter reacts to Eddie Long health news". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  49. "Bishop Eddie Long recovering from 'health challenge'". fox5atlanta.com. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  50. "Eddie Long: Recovering from 'health challenge'". 11alive.com. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  51. "EXCLUSIVE Bishop Eddie Long Reveals He Has Lost More Weight, Assures Congregation He Will Be Back in Pulpit". christianpost.com. Christian Post. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  52. Blake, John; Narayan, Chandrika (January 15, 2017). "Controversial megachurch pastor Eddie Long dies at 63". CNN. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  53. "R.I.P. Bishop Eddie Long 1953–2017". VannDigital. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  54. Long, Eddie (1997). Your Vision Is Too Small. Eddie L. Long Ministries. ISBN 9781586020224.
  55. Long, Eddie (1998). I Don't Want Delilah, I Need You!: What a Woman Needs to Know and what a Man Needs to Understand. Bethany House. ISBN 9781577780687.
  56. Long, Eddie (2002). What a Man Wants, What a Woman Needs: The Secret to Successful, Fulfilling Relationships. Thomas Nelson Inc. ISBN 9781418519278.
  57. Long, Eddie (2002). The Power of a Wise Woman (illustrated ed.). Thomas Nelson Incorporated. ISBN 9780849996504.
  58. Long, Eddie L. (January 12, 2001). Called to Conquer: A Daily Devotional to Energize and Encourage You in Word and Spirit. Thomas Nelson. ISBN 978-0785267652 – via Amazon.
  59. Long, Eddie L. (March 23, 1999). Taking Over: Seizing your city for God in the new millennium. Charisma House. ISBN 978-0884194842 – via Amazon.
  60. Long, Eddie (1999). The Church: Living Without Love. Eddie L. Long Ministries. ISBN 9781586020170.
  61. Long, Eddie (January 1, 2004). Gladiator: The Strength of a Man. Eddie Long Ministries. ISBN 978-1586029012 – via Amazon.
  62. Long, Eddie (December 1, 2004). Blessing In Giving. Eddie Long Ministries. ISBN 978-1586029029 – via Amazon.
  63. Long, Bishop Eddie (January 1, 1982). Deliver Me From Adam. Eddie Long Ministries. ISBN 978-1586029005 – via Amazon.
  64. Long, Eddie; Murphey, Cecil (2010). 60 Seconds to Greatness: Seize the Moment and Plan for Success. Penguin. ISBN 9781101171196.
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