The following stories had the most page views at the MinistryWatch website during the month of January. We present them here in a “countdown” format, from 10 to 1. The first few sentences of each story are reproduced below. To read the entire story, click on the link. To read the Top 25 stories of 2024, click here.
By Jessica Eturralde. In November, a federal judge sentenced church employee Heather Darrey, 45, to 27 months in federal prison for wire fraud after she pleaded guilty to stealing from the parish she worked for. The investigation revealed that for five months Darrey spent the funds on mortgage payments, car and boat loans, and credit card bills for clothing, restaurants, vacations, and concert tickets—totaling $875,323.19.
By Warren Cole Smith. Below is a list of 100 highly paid Christian college and university executives. The information was derived from the latest available Form 990 prepared by the ministry itself.
By Warren Cole Smith. Junior Hill, a well-loved and well-traveled Southern Baptist evangelist, died Jan. 3 at the age of 87 in Hartselle, Alabama. In his 2005 autobiography “They Call Him Junior,” Hill estimated that he preached at more than 1,800 Sunday-to-Sunday revivals during his five decades of ministry.
By Jessica Eturralde. A lifetime registered sex offender once listed on “America’s Most Wanted” for running away with a 15-year-old is making headlines for his leadership roles in two Dallas-area churches.
By Kim Roberts. The pastor of Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church (BHPC) has been suspended from his office, and the church elders (session) have been admonished to repent and cooperate with the requests of the presbytery.
By Kathryn Post. Daystar is losing a number of its popular stars after months of ongoing scandal at the influential Christian television network involving alleged abuse cover-up, spiritual abuse and financial misconduct. At least six program hosts, most recently including evangelical heavyweights Jack Graham, Jesse Duplantis, Lance Wallnau and Hank and Brenda Kunneman, have parted ways with the network, though most have not cited the scandal as reason for their departure.
By Kim Roberts. Dr. Burk Parsons, senior pastor at St. Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida, and the editor of Ligonier’s Tabletalk magazine, is reportedly under investigation by the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). According to minutes of the Central Florida Presbytery, the Minister and His Work committee found sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation into Parsons.
By Warren Cole Smith. Below is a list of 100 highly paid Christian ministry executives. The information was derived from the latest available Form 990 prepared by the ministry itself.
By Warren Cole Smith. Brandon Meeks was a rising star among conservative and Christian intellectuals. His essays appeared in First Things, Mere Orthodoxy, The North American Anglican, Ad Fontes, The American Conservative, and other publications. His book “The Foolishness of God: Reclaiming Preaching in the Anglican Tradition” has been influential among American Anglicans. He had also developed an active social media audience.
By Daniel Ritchie. California megachurch pastor and author John MacArthur remains in the hospital undergoing tests as he recovers from a difficult year of health issues, including a heart-valve replacement.