Welcome to MinistryWatch

Thanks for your interest in MinistryWatch. This page will answer some of the frequently asked questions about our ministry. If you have questions that you can’t find the answers to here, please email us: [email protected]

What is the mission of MinistryWatch?

MinistryWatch’s mission is to help Christians become more faithful, generous, and effective stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them. It’s not our money. It belongs to God. But he has entrusted it to us for a season as stewards. As Christians, we should take that stewardship responsibility seriously.

Said simply: MinistryWatch is an advocate for TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, and the renewed CREDIBILITY of Christian ministries.

How does MinistryWatch fulfill its mission?

We accomplish this mission by pursuing the following strategies:

1. Encouraging transparency and accountability among Christian ministries.

2. Defending the victims of organizations involved in waste, fraud, and abuse.

3. Amplifying the stories of excellent Christian ministries engaged in work that glorifies God and helps people.

4. Providing “thought leadership” for ministry executives and others by the production of opinion and how-to articles, and by providing webinars and other educational experiences for our readers and listeners.

Specifically, MinistryWatch engages in the following activities:

1. We do original investigative journalism that exposes waste, fraud, and abuse among Christian ministries. These stories should include lessons, examples, and models. They should not be merely accounts of wrongdoing.

2. The maintenance and expansion of the MinistryWatch 1000 database of approximately 1000 of the largest ministries in the country.

3. The publication of stories of redemption and restoration.

4. Profiles of “shining light” ministries who provide examples of faithful service. These stories will amplify the impact of these ministries as well as encourage others to “go and do likewise.”

5. Articles that provide thought leadership and best practices for sophisticated donors as well as ministry leaders.

Are you a Christian ministry?

We are. We are a 501-c-3 ministry, just like many of the ministries we cover. You can find our Form 990 here. To understand our beliefs, you can read our statement of faith here.

There are now lots of Christian news sites out there. What makes MinistryWatch different?

We believe two key qualities of MinistryWatch differentiate us from other news sites, even other Christian news sites.

1. We are completely independent. We do not take money from the ministries we cover. We do not accept advertising. We have no paywall. MinistryWatch is free to all users.

2. Our MinistryWatch 1000 database makes us unique. No other news organization has the kind of database we have created. The MinistryWatch 1000 database includes vital information that donors need in order to make wise giving decisions. It also alerts us to stories we need to cover.

Can you explain your 5-Star Financial Efficiency Rating?

One of the unique aspects of MinistryWatch is our deep database of the largest Christian ministries in the country. We have been collecting financial statements for the 500 largest ministries in the nation for the past 25 years. The most recent five years are readily available in the MinistryWatch database.

We also rate the ministries based on financial efficiency. These ratings are based on a number of key ratios and result in a 1- to 5-star rating. You can learn more about our 5-star rating system here.

About Our Transparency Grade

MinistryWatch also gives each ministry in the MinistryWatch 1000 database a Transparency Grade. To learn more about how we arrive at these transparency grades, click here.

Our Statement of Faith

You can see the MinistryWatch Statement of Faith here.

To Learn More About MinistryWatch

MinistryWatch President Warren Cole Smith has done several interviews explaining more fully the philosophy and operations of MinistryWatch. You can read those interviews here.

Our Latest Financial Information

You can view our most recent 990 here and audited financial statement here.