Bishop Eddie Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has laid off two full-time employees and reduced salaries by 10 percent. Art Franklin, spokesman for the Lithonia megachurch, says the church has "responded with fiscal prudence and common sense" to changes in the economy by laying off two employees and reducing staff salaries by 10 percent. Art says the church has also adjusted their work week from five to four days.
The statement does not mention if Bishop Eddie Long's salary was affected by the changes or how many people are employed at New Birth however,the Fox 5 I-Team in Atlanta said it obtained internal records showing that New Birth collected nearly $20 million last year, with more than $1 million designated for Bishop Long as a love offering. Where did that money go??
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, New Birth's attendance has declined, and many people placed the blame on Bishop Long being been sued by four men who accuse him of coercing them into sexual relations...
New Birth also claims it is experiencing "a shift in the worship pattern," because more people watching services online.