Here at MinistryWatch, one of our goals is to equip donors with the information they need to make wise decisions with their giving. That’s why we manage our database, which rates more than 1,000 of the country’s largest ministries based on their financial efficiency, financial transparency, and their donor confidence. Each week, we highlight ministries in our database that have had rating changes.
A few notable changes in the database this week:
- Evansville Rescue Mission in Evansville, Indiana, resigned from the ECFA, affecting both its Transparency Grade and Donor Confidence Score.
- Family Life Ministries in Bath, New York, rose into the top 60% for financial efficiency compared with other ministries in the Educational Media sector, also raising its donor confidence to 100 — a perfect Donor Confidence Score.
- Harvey Cedars Bible Conference Inc (Camps/Conference Centers) and Fairbanks Rescue Mission (Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters) both fell into the top bottom 40% for financial efficiency within their sectors. That dropped each of their Donor Confidence Scores by 20 points. Harvey Cedars Bible Conference remains in the “Give With Confidence” category, but Fairbanks Rescue Mission fell into the “Exercise Caution” category.
We also highlight stories from our podcast, where you can catch up on the week’s news in less than 30 minutes—perfect for a commute or walk. Check it all out below.
With that, here are this week’s three top stories on the MinistryWatch website:
Christian Blogger Samuel Sey Arrested by ICE, Faces Deportation
By Bob Smietana. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said conservative Christian blogger and podcaster Samuel Sey will be deported. But Sey’s supporters say a clerical error led to the arrest and hope he will soon be released.
Andy Stanley Stepping Down as Senior Pastor of North Point
By Kadence McKinnon. Andy Stanley, founder of North Point Community Church and North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia, announced Sunday that he is stepping down early next year as senior pastor of both the church and its overarching ministry.
When Seminary Is Out of Reach, Who Trains the Pastors?
By Jessica Eturralde. Churches are growing in places where formal training has not kept pace. Some pastors lead congregations without access to seminaries, experienced mentors or even basic theological resources. The challenge is not simply planting more churches but preparing leaders who can teach, shepherd and train those who come after them. This week’s Ministries Making a Difference looks at six Christian ministries bringing training to pastors and church leaders worldwide.
Here’s what else is new at MinistryWatch this week.
MinistryWatch Database Changes
MinistryWatch now has more than 1,800 ministries in its database. These ministries represent more than $58 billion in total revenue, most of that donor revenue from evangelicals. The following ministries have their profiles updated with the most recent year’s financial data. The Financial Efficiency rating of each ministry is in parenthesis. If this rating represents a change from the previous year, that change is noted:
Ministries with upgraded ratings:
Eagle Village (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 55)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector.
Family Life Ministries (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 80 to 100)
Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Educational Media sector, also raising its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Focus on the Family (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 48 to 53)
Board has between five and 12 members.
Houston Christian University (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 44 to 51)
Donor confidence rises from “Withhold Giving” into “Exercise Caution” category.
Indiana Wesleyan University (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 67 to 89)
Donor confidence rises into “Give With Confidence” category.
Ministries with downgraded ratings:
Dallas Baptist University (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 54 to 52)
Could not locate audited financials on website.
Dream Center Foundation (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 54)
Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.
Evansville Rescue Missions (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: Down 92 to 72)
No longer a member of the ECFA.
Fairbanks Rescue Mission (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 73 to 53)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Far East Broadcasting Company, Inc. (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)
Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Radio/ TV Stations sector.
Gordon College (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 71 to 69)
Could not locate audited financials on website.
Harvey Cedars Bible Conference Inc (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 91 to 71)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Camps/Conference Centers sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Hope House of Milwaukee (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 75)
Not a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
Houston Christian Broadcasters / Keeping Him Close By (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 95)
Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Radio/ TV Stations sector.
Impact Productions (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 65)
Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Educational Media sector.
Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 75)
Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Adoption/Foster Care sector.
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On The MinistryWatch Podcast
Life Surge Settles, Samuel Sey, Multi-Site Churches, Highland Park Methodist Church
On this week’s program, Life Surge is close to reaching a settlement in a wage lawsuit. A former salesperson for the ministry says the company wrongfully classified him as an independent contractor to avoid paying overtime. We’ll have details.
Plus, a host of Christian influencers are rallying behind popular blogger and podcaster Samuel Sey after he was detained by ICE. Supporters are blaming a clerical error, but DHS says Sey will likely be deported. We’ll take a look.
And, multi-site churches are becoming a staple of American life.
But first, one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country has voted to leave the denomination. Highland Park United Methodist in Dallas held the vote on Sunday and Monday.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, Casey Sudduth, and Christina Darnell. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Yonat Shimron, Kim Roberts, Bob Smietana, Jessica Eturralde, Adelle Banks, and Makella Knowles.
Until next time, may God bless you.
ECFA Membership Changes
Additions
Open Door Adoption Agency (Thomasville, GA)
Master’s Ranch Christian Academy (Myrtle, MO)
NACCAP – North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (Huntington, IN)
My Father’s House a Community Shelter (Gresham, OR)
ELNAC (Dallas, TX)
For His Kingdom Missions (Murrayville, GA)
Eden Project (Dallas, TX)
Jericho Road Ministries (Buffalo, NY)
Estuary (Annapolis, MD)
Starfysh (Grand Rapids, MI)
Removals
Evansville Rescue Mission (Evansville, IN)
Alliance Ministries (Birmingham, AL)
Twelve 12 Ministries (Plano, TX)
Levanta Ministries (Eagle, ID)
Drop A Dime On Us. Do you have a story idea for MinistryWatch? If so, send us an email. A lot of the stories we do originate from our readers and listeners. They send us news tips, press releases, emails, questions, and links. So, if you have a story you’d like us to cover, or a ministry that you think needs a closer look, please email us. Our email is info@ministrywatch.com. That will come directly to the desk of MinistryWatch President Warren Smith, and we’ll take it from there.
MinistryWatch and Sex Crimes. We write a lot about pastors and ministry leaders involved in sex crimes. That’s why we thought it might be a good time to re-post this story, which explains why we think covering these crimes are necessary: Why MinistryWatch Reports on Sex Crimes. As always, your feedback is welcome.
MinistryWatch Video. In closing, a reminder that we have created a short (3.5 minutes) video that explains what we do here at MinistryWatch, and why. If you’re new to MinistryWatch, we hope you’ll check it out. To find it, click here