Bakker Calls For An End To The PTL 'Holy War'

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Bakker Calls For An End To The PTL 'Holy War'

The New York Times (AP), June 25, 1987

Jim Bakker called for an end to the PTL ''holy war'' today and said ''it is up to the people to decide'' whether he and his wife should return to the television ministry he founded.

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, the PTL ministry's new chairman, said Mr. Bakker's call for a referendum on control of the ministry was ''theatrics.''

Mr. Bakker said in a statement: ''If the people want Jim and Tammy to return to television then they should support Jim and Tammy. For the cause of Christ I feel this so-called holy war has to come to an end.''

Mr. Bakker, who was defrocked by his Assemblies of God denomination after it was disclosed he had a sexual tryst with a church secretary, set out his position in the statement distributed at the PTL's $1.3 million lakeside parsonage. The house has become an issue in the Bakkers' battle for the ministry and its Christian theme park, Heritage U.S.A.. 'Time to get Back to Preaching'

''It's time for men of God to get back to the preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ,'' Mr. Bakker said.

''We are calling the people of God to unity, love and peace. It is up to the people to decide what they want. If they want Jerry Falwell to head PTL and Heritage U.S.A. then they should support it in its present form.''

Mr. Falwell said the Bakkers ''are to be commended for doing anything to bring around peace,'' adding, ''Regardless of the statement, that's what people are going to do anyway.''

PTL filed for protection from its creditors under the Federal Bankruptcy Law earlier this month, citing $72 million in debts and 1,400 creditors.

Mr. Falwell said contributions to PTL dropped after the ministry filed under a section of the bankruptcy code that allows it to attempt to reorganize its operations and the Bakkers returned to Tega Cay and said they would be back in the television ministry business in 30 days.

Mr. Bakker has been vying for support among PTL's regular contributors, called partners, some of whom are calling for Mr. Falwell to step down as PTL chairman. Falwell Would Meet

Mr. Bakker handed over PTL to Mr. Falwell in March after disclosures that he had the sexual encounter with a church secretary, Jessica Hahn. Mr. Bakker later said the switch was supposed to be temporary; Mr. Falwell has refused to return the ministry.

Mr. Falwell said that if Mr. Bakker wanted to meet ''for spiritual purposes,'' Mr. Falwell would see him. Mr. Falwell said the future of PTL and Heritage USA could not be discussed because those matters were in the hands off a Federal bankruptcy judge.

The new leaders of the PTL had sought the return of the Tega Cay house, and the Bakkers sent word Tuesday through a lawyer, James Toms, that they would move out to show that they would put the ministry above material gain.

Mr. Toms said lawyers had advised the Bakkers that they own the house and they had everything but the title to back their claim.

Mr. Toms also said that Mr. Bakker had asked a mediating team from the 4,000-member Christian Legal Society to negotiate differences with Mr. Falwell. Mr. Toms said he is ''absolutely convinced the Bakkers would accept the decision'' of impartial mediators.

''They do not want a fight,'' Mr Toms said. ''They do not want bitterness and divisiveness and they do not want it said that they are trying to hold a valuable property.

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