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An Apology In Amsterdam
...But while this influx of Africans, Asians and Middle Easterners is helping to revitalize Dutch churches, the influence of some Americans has not had the same effect. I was shocked and embarrassed to learn that charismatic evangelists from the United States have earned a dubious reputation on the other side of the Atlantic.

During a one-day summit of pastors and church planters held in Amsterdam last Saturday, I discovered that several high-profile Christian speakers have worn out their welcome because of questionable financial practices and inappropriate demands.

One of Holland’s most respected charismatic pastors, Stanley Hofwijks, says some American ministers are no longer welcome in his country. Hofwijks’ 2,500-member Maranatha Ministries Church is predominantly Surinamese and is one of the largest congregations in Holland.

“These pastors come here and insist that they must take their own offerings,” Hofwijks told me. “Then they get up in the pulpit and tell the people that if they will give $1,000 each, all will be well and they will be blessed.”

Weary of what he considers financial manipulation, Hofwijks now has a new policy: If a visiting minister insists on taking his own offering, he is not welcome to preach.

Christian businessman and conference organizer Arie Templeman has many horror stories to tell about his dealings with American preachers. Their behavior outside the pulpit, he said, is as disturbing as some of their questionable public demands for donations.

Some visiting preachers insisted on pricey hotel rooms—including, on one occasion, a $10,000-a-night penthouse. Others made rude demands of hotel staff.

“Many Dutch people look up to these men because they see them on Christian television,” Templeman said. “If they knew what went on behind the scenes they would lose all respect for them.”

On one occasion an American preacher who was speaking at a Dutch conference was asked if he could come to another city and address a group of pastors. Said Templeman: “[The evangelist] asked how much he would be paid for the ministry session. When he was told he would receive $1,000, he looked down at his shoes and said: ‘One of my shoes costs more than that. I will not go.’”

Hofwijks’ biggest concern is that American arrogance is infecting some younger Dutch leaders. “They want to be like the preachers on American television,” the pastor said. “They are focused on a superstar mentality. It’s very negative for our country because they fall and many people fall with them.”...