WEEKLY REVIEW: Snapshot of Top Ministry Happenings From This Past Week Downgrades for Convoy of Hope and UnfoldingWord; Upgrades for New Life Family Services and Stadia

Christina Darnell

1 week ago

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.

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. We highly recommend ministries join the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), which is why we list organizations that have either joined ECFA in the past week or been removed. Check it all out below.

With that, here are three top stories on the MinistryWatch website from this past week:

Bob Jones University President Josh Crockett Announces Possible Role Change

By Kim Roberts. In the continued saga of leadership changes at Bob Jones University (BJU) in Greenville, South Carolina, current President Josh Crockett has announced he may be changing roles if he is called to pastor Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville.

Sexual Abuse Allegations at Ohio Megachurch Prompt Scrutiny of Church Practices

By Jessica Eturralde. Faith Life Church, a megachurch in New Albany, Ohio, faces mounting scrutiny as a current abuse scandal prompts questions about past allegations to resurface. A recent string of sexual abuse allegations has an earlier financial investigation, and widespread criticism over its use of employee nondisclosure agreements (NDAs).

Tennessee Philanthropist Hugh MacLellan Dies

By Kim Roberts. Christian philanthropist Hugh Maclellan Jr. of Lookout Mountain, longtime leader of the Maclellan Foundation, died on April 4. He was 85. Maclellan was involved in leading the influential private Christian foundation in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for 55 years, according to its Executive Director David Denmark.

Here’s what else is new at MinistryWatch this week.

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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:

Every Generation Ministries (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 77)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency for Foreign Missions sector.

Neverthirst (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: N/A to 70)

Now in the “Give With Confidence” category.

New Life Family Services (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 55 to 73)

Ministry’s board composition meets MinistryWatch recommendations.

Stadia: New Church Strategies (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 31 to 51)

Now a member of ECFA.

Sunday Breakfast Mission (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 75 to 78)

Ministries with downgraded ratings:

Blue Letter Bible (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 76)