This week, Living Stream Ministry’s Donor Confidence Score dropped 20 points. The organization now has a rating of 36 “Withhold Giving,” and is in the bottom 40% for financial efficiency among other ministries in the Christian Growth sector.
Photo via social media @Living Stream Ministry
According to its website, Living Stream Ministry (LSM) “is a non-profit corporation that is primarily dedicated to the publication of the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee.”
Watchman Nee was an evangelist and church planter in China during the 20th Century. When the Communist Party took over in the 1950s he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison where he later died. He wrote numerous books, including the bestseller “The Normal Christian Life.”
During his ministry, Nee worked with another evangelist named Witness Lee whose work eventually led him to Taiwan and later to California. He founded Stream Publishers in 1965, which would become Living Stream Ministry.
Today, Living Stream Ministry continues to operate out of Anaheim, California. In 2023, the organization had $21 million in revenue—almost double its revenue from 2020, which was $11.7 million.
According to its website, LSM does not “solicit donations or contributions.” The organization does sell books, audio books, CDs and ebooks on its site. In addition, it hosts numerous conferences throughout the year.
While its revenue in 2023 was $21 million, its expenses were just $16.8 million. Its General and Admin costs were 20%, compared with its sector median of 12%. At least eight staff members make six-figure salaries.
LSM has $112.2 million in net assets and it is not a member of the ECFA.
The organization did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
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MinistryWatch Donor Confidence Score: 36 (out of a possible 100) “Withhold Giving”
MinistryWatch Financial Efficiency Rating: 2 Stars (out of a possible 5 Stars)
MinistryWatch Transparency Grade: D
Revenue in Most Recent Year Available:$21,064,029
Five-Year Revenue Trend: Increasing (by 29%)
Percent of Revenue Living Stream Ministry Spends on Fundraising: 0%
Percent Peer Group Spends on Fundraising: 5%
CEO/President: Raymond Graver
President’s Salary and Other Compensation: $47,857
A complete MinistryWatch profile for Living Stream Ministry can be found here.
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