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:
- Three ministries rose in financial transparency after posting audited financials on their websites: Live Action, National Camps for Blind Children, and Phoenix Rescue Mission.
- Comparatively, five ministries fell in their Transparency Grades after we were unable to locate audited financials on their websites: Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex, Muncie Mission Ministries, Olympia Union Gospel Mission, Westminster Rescue Mission, and Wheaton College.
- Mission Springs Camps and Conference Center dropped to an F Transparency Grade — it does not file a Form 990 with the IRS, does not make audited financials on its website, nor is it a member of the ECFA. Its Donor Confidence Score is 23 — a “Withhold Giving” designation.
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:
UMC Mum on Status of Approved Seminaries That Oppose Gay Marriage
By Tony Mator. When the United Methodist Church amended its standards to fully embrace same-sex marriage, at least three seminaries that train the denomination’s ordination candidates found themselves out of step with its new teaching.
Ministry Spotlight: Leading the Way With Dr. Michael Youssef
By Makella Knowles. At the end of June, Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef voluntarily resigned from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Leading The Way’s Donor Confidence Score has dropped to 35, placing it in the “Withhold Giving” category. The ministry also carries a D Transparency Grade for not filing a Form 990 and for revoking its ECFA membership.
Donor-Advised Funds are out of Control
By Warren Smith. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) may be the greatest innovation in American philanthropy in the last generation. DAFs solve real problems. They allow donors to contribute appreciated assets without triggering capital gains taxes. They simplify recordkeeping. They help families think strategically about generosity. Those are real-world benefits. But there are also real-world problems that need to be fixed.
Here’s what else is new at MinistryWatch this week.
MinistryWatch Database Changes
MinistryWatch now has more than 1,500 ministries in its database. These ministries represent more than $55 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 recently added into the database:
Mission Enablers International (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 72)
New Hope Christian Academy (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 71)
Northland Christian Education System (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 45)
Pine Cove Christian Camps (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 44)
Prattville Christian Academy (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)
Rhode Island Rescue Ministries (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 75)
Southwestern Christian College (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)
St. Richard’s Episcopal School (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 71)
The Union Mission Ministries (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 60)
Trinity Presbyterian School (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 55)
Union Mission of Latrobe (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 68)
Whittier Christian High School (1 Star, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 53)
Zeeland Christian School (1 Star, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 58)
Ministries with upgraded ratings:
Live Action (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: Up D to C, DCS: Up 68 to 70)
Makes audited financials available on website.
National Camps for Blind Children (1 Star, Transparency Grade: Up D to C, DCS: Up 48 to 50)
Makes audited financials available on website.
Phoenix Rescue Mission (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: Up C to A, DCS: Up 78 to 80)
Makes audited financials available on website.
Uncharted Ministries (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 95)
Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Foreign Missions sector.
Ministries with downgraded ratings:
Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 92 to 90)
Unable to locate audited financials on website.
Mission Springs Camps and Conference Center (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: Down D to F, DCS: 23)
Does not file Form 990 or make audited financials available on its website, nor is it a member of the ECFA.
Muncie Mission Ministries (1 Star, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 55 to 53)
Unable to locate audited financials on website.
Olympia Union Gospel Mission (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 78 to 76)
Unable to locate audited financials on website.
Operation Blessing (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 93)
Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector.
Peoria Rescue Ministries/Pathway Ministries (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)
Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.
Rescue Mission of Utica (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 97)
Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.
Rockford Rescue Mission (Down 2 to 1 Star, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 76)
Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.
Show-Me Christian Youth Home (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 98 to 78)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
The King’s Academy Inc (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 78)
Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector.
The Neighborhood Christian Clinic (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)
Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Community Development sector.
The Sheepfold (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 98)
Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.
Vision House (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 97 to 77)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Westminster Rescue Mission (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 75 to 73)
Unable to locate audited financials on website.
Wheaton College (1 Star, Transparency Grade: Down C to D, DCS: 39)
Unable to locate audited financials on website.
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On The MinistryWatch Podcast
Judge Sides with Second Baptist Houston, Paige Patterson Case Settles, UMC Crosshairs
On today’s program, a judge sides with Texas megachurch Second Baptist Houston in a lawsuit brought by current and former members. The judge says the constitutional principle of religious freedom shields the church — but the plaintiffs’ attorney says that should not be a get-out-of-jail free card.” We’ll have details.
Plus, last month, the United Methodist Church dropped Asbury Theological Seminary from its list of approved schools due to its stance on biblical marriage — which could put two other seminaries in its cross hairs. We’ll take a look.
And, a new survey reveals that American’s confidence in the church is near or at an all-time low.
But first, three church leaders in South Carolina are facing criminal charges after being accused of hiding a registered sex offender’s role around kids. The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office laid it out at a news conference this week. Sheriff Carter Weaver said his office opened an investigation into Pawleys Island Community Church on July 12th, after officials learned about a man named Warren Perry, and his access to children.
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.