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 score. Each week, we highlight ministries in our database that have had rating changes, plus a brief explanation about why it matters.
With that, here are three top stories on the MinistryWatch website from this past week:
By Warren Cole Smith. When Ryan Burge speaks, a growing number of evangelical thought leaders listen.nIf you don’t know Ryan Burge, he is the newly named “professor of practice” at the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. But I know him as a numbers guy. He is one of a very few people (Christian Smith of Notre Dame would be another) who really dives into statistics about religion, and when he emerges from these deep dives, he often brings with him surprising and helpful insights. One recent dive into the data looked at the “exvangelical.”
Liberty University Sued by Former Civil Rights Investigator for Discrimination
By Kim Roberts. A former civil rights investigator in Liberty University’s Office of Equity and Compliance for Title IX has filed a lawsuit against the college for wrongful termination and discrimination against her on the basis of her race and because she was a whistleblower.
LGBTQ Advocacy Group Closes Due to ‘Serious Internal Issue’
By Isaac Wood. Last week, the Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP) announced it will end operations. The LGBTQ rights advocacy group filed a lawsuit in 2021 to end religious exemptions to Title IX discrimination law.
Here’s what else is new at MinistryWatch this week.
MinistryWatch Database Changes
MinistryWatch now has more than 1,000 ministries in its database. These ministries represent more than $44-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:
Africa New Life Ministries International (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 98 to 100)
Makes audited financials available on website.
Baptist Church Loan Corporation (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 71 to 73)
Makes audited financials available on website.
Camp Allen Camp and Conference Center (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 42 to 44)
CEO/President’s compensation is within one standard deviation of the median compensation.
Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: Up C to A, DCS: 80)
Files Form 990 with the IRS, makes audited financials available on website, and is a member of the ECFA.
Citygate Network / Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: Up C to A, DCS: 95)
Files Form 990 with the IRS, makes audited financials available on website, and is a member of the ECFA.
Coalition for Christian Outreach / CCO (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: Up C to A, DCS: Up 73 to 75)
Files Form 990 with the IRS, makes audited financials available on website, and is a member of the ECFA.
Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 70 to 72)
Makes audited financials available on website.
Eagle Village (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: Up D to C, DCS: 55)
Files Form 990 with the IRS and makes audited financials available on website.
Faith and Freedom Coalition (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 33 to 35)
CEO/President’s compensation is within one standard deviation of the median compensation.
Fellowship Christian School – Roswell, GA (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 75 to 77)
CEO/President’s compensation is within one standard deviation of the median compensation.
Global Service Network (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 95 to 97)
CEO/President’s compensation is within one standard deviation of the median compensation.
Ministries with downgraded ratings:
Andrew Womack Ministries (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: F, DCS: Down 12 to 10)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Beyond (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 53 to 51)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 29 to 27)
Board composition does not meet MinistryWatch standard recommendations.
Bryan College (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 91)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Christian Community Action (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 80 to 78)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 100 to 80)
Is not a member of the ECFA.
Compassion International, Inc. (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 53 to 51)
CEO/President’s compensation is not within one standard deviation of the median compensation.
Convoy of Hope (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 34 to 32)
CEO/President’s compensation is not within one standard deviation of the median compensation.
Cornerstone Schools of Washington, DC (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 90 to 70)
Is not a member of the ECFA.
Covenant Theological Seminary (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 33 to 31)
CEO/President’s compensation is not within one standard deviation of the median compensation.
Grace to You (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 38 to 36)
CEO/President’s compensation is not within one standard deviation of the median compensation.
On The MinistryWatch Podcast
Liberty University, SBC’s New Abuse Hotline, Remembering Dr. James Dobson
On today’s program, a former employee sues Liberty University, claiming she was given heavier work loads, less pay, and was passed over for promotions. In the end, she claims she was fired for being a whistleblower. We’ll have details.
Plus, email scams are targeting churches—in some cases, scammers pose as pastors seeking donations. How can churches and members protect themselves? We take a look.
And, the Southern Baptist Convention launches a new abuse helpline.
We’ll also have a remembrance of Dr. James Dobson, who died on Thursday.
But first, a lawsuit leveled against Grand Canyon Education has been dropped.
ECFA Changes
The following organizations have had membership status changes in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
REMOVALS:
Christian Counseling & Training Center (North Chesterfield, VA)
Christian Friends of Israel-USA (Charlotte, NC)
LeTourneau University (Longview, TX)
LeTourneau University Foundation (Longview, TX)
One Fellowship Church (Indianapolis, IN)
ADDITIONS:
First Care Family Resources
ORPHANetwork
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.
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