It’s been a cold, snowy week here in Charlotte, North Carolina, with snowball fights and muddy boots. It was an opportunity to thank God for the beauty of His creation, even as we grapple with the ugliness of sin and its consequences—many of which we are responsible to cover here at MinistryWatch. Today, we’re wrapping up the week with a roundup of top stories, database changes, podcast highlights, and a plug to make use of our Shining Light ministry award to guide your giving. Praying you’re safe and well in your part of the world.
With that, here are the top three stories on the MinistryWatch website from this past week:
Presbyterian Church in America Removes Webpage, Apologizes
By Kim Roberts. The domestic mission agency of the Presbyterian Church in America has removed a webpage containing links to advice about how illegal immigrants can avoid being detained by law enforcement authorities.
Calvary Chapel Cary Feud Leads to Closure, Breakaway Church
By Tony Mator. Months after Calvary Chapel Cary discovered its lead pastor, Rodney Finch, had secretly listed the church for sale, the 9.8-acre property in Apex, North Carolina, is back on the market, and weekly services have ceased.
TX Supreme Court Answers Questions About Defamation in Lawsuit Against Paige Patterson
By Kim Roberts. In a case involving a report of sexual assault at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a person supplying defamatory material can be held liable even if they weren’t the one who published it.
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:
Arizona Baptist Children’s Services (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 98)
Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Adoption/Foster Care sector.
Belhaven University (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 49 to 51)
Refrains from use of NDAs.
Bushnell University (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 75 to 95)
Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector, which also raised its donor confidence score by 20 points.
Charleston Southern University (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 71)
Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.
Community Bible Study (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 95)
Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Leadership Training sector.
Evangel University (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 63 to 65)
Refrains from use of NDAs.
Family Connections Christian Adoptions (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 93)
Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Adoption/Foster Care sector.
Ministries of Jesus (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)
Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector, awarding ministry our Shining Light designation.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (Up 2 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 53 to 73)
Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Pro-Life sector, which also raised its donor confidence score by 20 points.
ThriVe St. Louis (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 75)
Now in top 80% for financial efficiency in Pro-Life sector.
Training Leaders International (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 93)
Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Leadership Training sector.
Youth Frontiers (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 45)
Now in top 80% for financial efficiency in Leadership Training sector.
Ministries with downgraded ratings:
Child Bridge (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 75)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
Fortis Institute (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 96)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
GoServ Global (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 90)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
Lake Ann Camp (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 78)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
LeTourneau University (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 95)
Dropped to top 60% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.
New Life Center / Fargo Union Mission (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 100 to 80)
Dropped to top 80% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector, also lowering its donor confidence score by 20 points.
New Life Solutions (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 73)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
Paul Anderson Youth Home Inc. (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 90)
Dropped to top 60% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.
Phoenix Rescue Mission (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 100 to 80)
Dropped to top 80% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector, also lowering its donor confidence score by 20 points.
Radio Training Network, Inc. (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 98)
Dropped to top 60% for financial efficiency in Radio/TV Stations sector.
Reformed Theological Seminary (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 73)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
South East Asia Prayer Center (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 90)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
TeenPact Leadership Schools (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 95)
Dropped into top 40% for financial efficiency in Leadership Training sector.
The Open Door (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 98)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
The Sheepfold (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 98)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
The Veritas Forum (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 78)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
Toccoa Falls College (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 95)
Dropped into top 60% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.
Trinity Forum, Inc. (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 95)
Dropped into top 60% for financial efficiency in Leadership Training sector.
With Open Eyes Foundation (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 63)
Does not make audited financials available on its website.
On The MinistryWatch Podcast
Hillsong, TD Jakes, the Presbyterian Church in America, and Calvary Chapel
On today’s program, another congregation is leaving the Hillsong fold…leaving only 5 Hillsong churches in the U-S. We’ll have details.
And, T.D. Jakes filed an affidavit in response to allegations that he made sexual advances toward two other ministers decades ago. We’ll take a look.
Plus, the Presbyterian Church in America issued an apology and removed a webpage with advice on how immigrants can avoid being detained.
But first, after months of turmoil, Calvary Chapel Cary in North Carolina is closing. Months after Calvary Chapel Cary discovered its lead pastor, Rodney Finch, had secretly listed the church for sale, the 9.8-acre property in Apex, North Carolina, is back on the market, and weekly services have ceased. The real estate scandal was not Finch’s first controversy. Rather, it brought to a boil years of tensions and demands for greater transparency and accountability.
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ECFA Changes
The following organizations have had membership status changes in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
ADDITIONS:
A21 USA (Fort Worth, TX)
Patrick Henry Family Services (Lynchburg, VA)
REMOVALS:
MidAmerica Baptist Conference (Park Ridge, IL)
Converge MidAmerica (Park Ridge, IL)
Hands Embracing All Lands (H.E.A.L.) (Nashville, TN)
Macedonian Service Foundation (Somerset, KY)
Macedonian Missionary Service (Groveland, FL)
Center Lake Bible Camp (Tustin, MI)
Ipourlife (Springfield, MO)
Portland Rescue Mission Member (Portland, OR)
Shepherd’s Door Program (Portland, OR)
Joy Centers International (Carmel, IN)
About MinistryWatch
Just a quick reminder to take a look at our annual list of Shining Lights and make them a part of your giving plan. These are ministries that scored the highest possible ratings in all three categories MinistryWatch evaluates: Transparency, Financial Efficiency, and Donor Confidence. We hope you will use this list of the “best of the best” ministries as your giving guide. You can find the list here.
I also wanted to warn you about so-called “matching” or “challenge” gifts that a lot of ministries use to try to get you to donate. Matching and challenge gifts can be used ethically, but they are often tools to create a false sense of urgency. These offers to match or double your gift should not keep you from doing your own careful research into that ministry. To read more about matching and challenge gifts, click here.
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 my desk, 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 I 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 new, short (3.5 minutes) video that explains what we do here at MinistryWatch, and why. If you’re new to MinistryWatch, I hope you’ll check it out. To find it, click here.