Falwell Bars Bakker’s Return To Ministry (Press, 30 May 1987)

In May 1987, Jim Bakker, a prominent television evangelist and former host of the Praise the Lord (P.T.L.) ministry, was officially barred from returning to the ministry due to serious allegations of adultery, "homosexual problems," and financial misconduct that involved the potential misuse of millions of dollars. Rev. Jerry Falwell, who took control of the P.T.L. ministry in March after Bakker's resignation, made this announcement during a press conference. Bakker had admitted to having a sexual encounter with Jessica Hahn, a former church secretary, prompting his resignation. Falwell asserted that since taking over the P.T.L., he uncovered significant fiscal irregularities and felt it was a disservice to God and the church to allow Bakker to return. Responding to Bakker's claims in an ABC television interview that Falwell had stolen the ministry from him, Falwell dismissed these allegations by likening the situation to someone claiming to have stolen the Titanic after its collision with an iceberg. Initially, Falwell believed Bakker was solely responsible for the incident with Hahn, but he later learned that one of Bakker’s associates had also been involved with her, and a third associate had attempted to engage with her as well. Falwell noted that Bakker had even approached this third man to inquire if he had been involved with Hahn too. Falwell stressed that Bakker must seek God's forgiveness, acknowledge the long-rumoured homosexual issues dating back to 1956, and return the millions of dollars he had allegedly taken from the ministry, which, according to Falwell, had been supported by widows and other contributors. Following Bakker's exit, officials at the P.T.L. ministry discovered that it was facing significant financial difficulties, with debts amounting to approximately $60 million (equivalent to $103.8 million in 1987), alongside missing funds totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars. This revelation highlighted not only the personal scandals surrounding Bakker but also the financial instability of the ministry he had led. The situation represented a critical moment in the history of television evangelism, intertwining issues of morality, leadership, and financial ethics within the religious community.

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