At Least Eight Ministries Resign From ECFA in Recent Weeks

And other notable ministry happenings from this week.

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, plus a brief explanation about why it matters.

A few notable changes in the database this week:

• At least eight ministries have resigned their memberships with the ECFA in recent weeks. MinistryWatch reported deeper on the resignations of both Columbia International University and Greater Grace World Outreach. You can read those by clicking on the links.
• Two ministries’ ratings rose to a Donor Confidence Score of 100—the highest possible in the MinistryWatch database. Those ministries were MissionGO and Waterfront Rescue Mission.
• Five ministries dropped in ratings because MinistryWatch was unable to locate audited financials on their respective websites. You can see that list below.

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 this week’s three top stories on the MinistryWatch website:

Charter ECFA Member Columbia International University Resigns its Membership

By Kim Roberts. Well-known evangelical Columbia International University (CIU), a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), has resigned its membership in the organization that was created to “enhance trust” in Christian ministries.

PCA Denominational Body Speaks Out About Nichols’ Excommunication

By Kim Roberts. The Central Florida Presbytery, a regional denominational body of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), issued a statement calling the excommunication of Ligonier Teaching Fellow and Reformation Bible College President Stephen Nichols from St. Andrew’s Chapel “improper.”

Dr. Stephen Nichols Speaks out About Excommunication From St. Andrew’s Chapel

By Kim Roberts. Stephen Nichols, former president of Reformation Bible College (RBC) and Ligonier Ministries Teaching Fellow, has spoken out about rumors circulating online about his family.

 

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

 

MinistryWatch Database Changes

MinistryWatch now has more than 1,300 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 recently added into the database:

Hope International University (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 76)

Israel365 Charity Fund (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 51)

Liberty Christian School (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 53)

Mount Paran Christian School (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 58)

Trinity School of Midland (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 68)

Wedgwood Christian Services (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 71)

World Christian Broadcasting Corporation (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 48)

 

Ministries with upgraded ratings:

Man in the Mirror (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: Up C to A, DCS: 76)

Meets all transparency criteria—files a Form 990 with the IRS, posts audited financials on its website, and is a member of the ECFA.

 

MissionGO (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 97 to 100)

Now meets all criteria for donor confidence, including its board having at least four independent board members for every non-independent member.

 

Northwest University (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 95)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.

 

Serving Orphans Worldwide (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 89 to 93)

 

South Side Mission of Peoria (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 30 to 35)

Board contains at least 5 members and no more than 12 members.

 

The CALL (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 87 to 95)

 

The Woodlands Christian Academy (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 80 to 78)

Now in bottom 40% (up from bottom 20%) for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector.

 

Touching Lives / James Merritt (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 98)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Educational Media sector.

 

Waterfront Rescue Mission (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 98 to 100)

Posts audited financials on its website.

 

Wesleyan School Inc. (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 68)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector.

 

 

Ministries with downgraded ratings:

Loving Shepherd Ministries (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 94 to 92)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

 

Market Street Mission (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 53 to 51)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

 

Minnesota Teen Challenge, dba MN Adult & Teen Challenge (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 73)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

 

Orange County Rescue Mission (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: Down 77 to 57)

No longer a member of the ECFA.

 

Palmer Home for Children (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 68 to 66)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

 

RiverWorks (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 86)

Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Community Development sector.

 

The Master’s University and Seminary (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down C to D, DCS: Down 62 to 60)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

 

The Mentoring Alliance (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 76 to 69)

 

Trinity College of Florida (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 93 to 73)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.

 

 

On The MinistryWatch Podcast

Columbia International University, Deposed ACNA Bishop Back in Ministry, Dad’s Place Wins Legal Fight

On this week’s program, Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina, was one of the charter members with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Now, 47 years later, it has left the ECFA. Meanwhile, another scandal-plagued megachurch has also resigned its membership with the ECFA, this time while under review. We’ll take a look at both cases.

Also, almost two years after being stripped of ordination by the Anglican Church, a former bishop is back in ministry. We’ll have details.

And, a Christian school ministry drops from a 5-Star rating for its financial efficiency down to 1 star.

But first, Dad’s Place, a church in Bryan, Ohio, that has been fighting for its right to provide temporary shelter to homeless persons, has finally reached a conclusion to its ongoing legal battle.

Listen here.

 

ECFA Membership Changes

Removals

Alpine Church (Clearfield, UT)

Grace Chapel (Lexington, MA)

St. Matthew’s House (Naples, FL)

Metro Maryland Youth for Christ (Baltimore, MD)

Columbia International University (Columbia, SC)

Greater Grace World Outreach (Baltimore, MD)

Family Empowerment Centers of Chicago (Chicago, IL)

Keystone Mission (Scranton, PA)

 

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 [email protected].  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.

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