Ep. 379: Liberty University, Steven Furtick, Robert Morris, and More
On today’s program, Liberty University reaches a settlement with former president Jerry Falwell Jr. after years of back-and-forth lawsuits between the two parties. Now, they say they are putting the past behind them. We’ll have details.
A small university in North Carolina is beating the odds…while other Christian colleges face closure, this school is thriving. We take a look at what they’re doing.
Also, Steven Furtick’s Elevation Church released its annual report—the Charlotte-area church saw revenue of more than $108-million in 2023.
The leadership at Gateway Church continues its shakeup following revelations that its founding pastor Robert Morris abused a minor in the 1980s.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, Shannon Cuthrell, Yonat Shimron, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell.
Until next time, may God bless you.
COMPLETE MANUSCRIPT BELOW:
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, Liberty University reaches a settlement with former president Jerry Falwell Jr. after years of back-and-forth lawsuits between the two parties. Now, they say they are putting the past behind them. We’ll have details.
And, a small university in North Carolina is beating the odds…while other Christian colleges face closure, this school is thriving. We take a look at what they’re doing.
Also, Steven Furtick’s Elevation Church released its annual report—the Charlotte-area church saw revenue of more than $108-million in 2023.
Natasha:
But first, the leadership at Gateway Church continues its shakeup following revelations that its founding pastor Robert Morris abused a minor in the 1980s.
Warren:
Seven weeks after Robert Morris resigned from Gateway Church after Cindy Clemishire publicly claimed he abused her when she was 12 years old, Gateway has announced that Morris’ son, James Morris, is stepping away from the church.
James Morris was slated to take over church leadership after his father’s impending retirement in 2025. But after Clemishire’s claims went public, Robert Morris admitted “moral failure” with a “young lady” before resigning as the Texas megachurch’s lead pastor. Weeks later, James Morris and three other elders announced they would temporarily step down to allow room for a third-party investigation.
But last week, in a special announcement to the congregation, Gateway elder Tra Willbanks announced that James Morris and his wife, Bridgette Morris, had decided to permanently relinquish their positions at Gateway.
Natasha:
How did the congregation take that?
Warren:
Church attendees gave them a standing ovation. Then Willbanks said Gateway elders support James and Bridgette Morris’ desire to establish a church in the future.
I should mention that James and Bridgette Morris are not the only ones to have left in the fallout of Robert Morris’ resignation. According to the leadership pages on its website, Gateway has made additional changes to its staff and elder board. It removed former-felon-turned-Prison Ministry Campus Pastor Stephen Wilson after Wilson’s past sex charges from 2002 involving a minor became public.
Natasha:
Who is going to minister as the church moves forward?
Warren:
Willbanks informed congregants that Max Lucado, a popular author and teaching minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, and Swedish pastor Joakim Lundqvist, will be filling leadership roles at the church. Lucado will become the interim teaching pastor, preaching at Gateway about twice a month. Lundqvist will share preaching duties with Lucado and take on a pastoral role with staff.
Natasha:
Next, a Texas Pastor has stepped down due to “inappropriate” conduct, without being specific about the concerns.
Warren:
On Sunday, July 28, Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, about 30 miles north of Fort Worth, announced that its lead pastor Josiah Anthony would resign due to “inappropriate and hurtful” actions, WFAA reported.
The church clarified on Monday that the conduct “does not include any children, physical or sexual interactions or any illegal activity to our knowledge.”
Apparently, the church elders asked Anthony to resign and he agreed.
Natasha:
Is there any hint as to why he resigned?
Warren:
During the service, Cross Timbers elder John Chalk read a statement about Anthony’s resignation.
“Josiah has been in a prolonged and sustained season of struggle with his emotional and mental health which has been very painful for him and those around him,Throughout this struggle, some of Josiah’s decisions and actions were inappropriate and hurtful to current and former members of the [Cross Timbers] family and staff.”
Natasha:
Who will fill Anthony’s roll as pastor?
Warren:
Byron Copeland will serve as interim lead pastor. Before taking a position of executive pastor at Cross Timbers, Copeland worked at nearby Gateway Church.
Natasha:
There have been quite a few situations like this lately, one of course being the Morris story we just discussed what are some others?
Warren:
On July 7, Stonebriar Community Church, founded by Chuck Swindoll, dismissed former Associate Pastor Tony Cammarota, who “confessed to church leadership of a moral failure” according to an email obtained by the Dallas Morning News. Stonebriar did not provide details of the moral failure.
In June, well-known Dallas megachurch pastor Tony Evans stepped away from leading Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship due to “sin” he committed years ago. Evans, 74, was not specific about his actions but said they were not criminal. He will be “submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders.”
Natasha:
Next, the latest between Liberty University and Jerry Falwell Jr.
Warren:
Liberty University and its former president Jerry Falwell Jr. have reached an agreement to settle all outstanding disputes and lawsuits between the two parties.
While specifics of the agreement were not released, the statement said the two reached a mutual understanding about the retirement and severance Liberty will pay to Falwell.
In March 2023, Falwell sued the university for $8.5 million in retirement benefits he claimed they owed him.
The agreement also authorizes Liberty to use the name, image, and likeness of its founder, Jerry Falwell Sr.
Natasha:
There’s been a lot going on between the two- can you remind us of some of the recent history here.
Warren:
Last July, Falwell Jr. sued the university, accusing it of misappropriating “for itself” the name and image of Falwell Sr., the conservative Christian evangelist who co-founded the evangelical university in 1971.
In September, Falwell Jr. amended his complaint against Liberty, claiming the university’s board overlooked sexual misconduct by former leaders, including an unnamed former president, only to turn on Falwell Jr. when his life fell apart.
Following allegations that he and his wife had a years-long sexual relationship with a business associate, Falwell Jr. resigned from his post as Liberty’s president in August 2020.
Neither Falwell nor the university plan to answer any further questions about the settlement.
In the MinistryWatch database, Liberty University has a 2-star financial efficiency rating, a C transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of only 34, meaning donors should withhold giving.
Natasha:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, the rise of Carolina University—how a 79-year-old institution rebooted itself.
I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break, while many Christian colleges are failing, one small school in North Carolina appears to be beating the odds.
Warren:
A 79-year-old private institution in North Carolina appears to be an anomaly to the many Christian colleges forced to close recently. Carolina University’s enrollment has surged 29% this year, rising from 826 to 1,068 students. Its multilingual offerings and global recruitment have attracted scores of international students, who now make up about half of the student body. The university is also seeing success with its new career-oriented programs, including master’s degrees in data science and innovation, along with undergrad courses covering machine learning, artificial intelligence, esports and cybersecurity.
Natasha:
How’d they get to this place?
Warren:
Our full story goes into detail about their financial turn around but beyond that they’ve also had years of steady enrollment growth With long history of mergers. Since its founding in 1945, the school has absorbed seven colleges headed by Methodists, Moravians, Baptists, Anglicans, and Mennonites. Each merger brought a surge in students, faculty/staff, flagship programs, and financial resources, enabling Carolina University to sell campuses for far more than the obligations owed.
Natasha:
The school also focuses on what they call “Jobs of the Future”
Warren:
Years ago, the school made the call to only offer new degrees leading to a stable job market and high-paying salaries. Focusing on degrees that lead to jobs starting at $100,000 a year.
The school is already seeing success with this strategy, with data science rising the ranks as its fastest-growing program. Other longstanding programs, such as engineering and business, also maintain strong enrollment.
Carolina University’s legacy theology programs aren’t slowing down either. President Petitt said, “We’re training more pastors right now than we have at any other time in our history, even when we were a Bible college.”
Natasha:
That’s amazing! What are their goals for the future?
Warren:
They hope to expand enrollment to 1,500 over the next academic year. Their long-term target is 7,000 main-campus students and 70,000 online.
Natasha:
Next, a Historic Miami Church saved From Foreclosure
Warren:
Nearly a year ago, MinistryWatch reported that one of Miami’s oldest black churches had just weeks to repay a $1.6-million mortgage that its former pastor had taken out in the church’s name.
St. John Institutional Missionary Baptist Church in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood, has roots dating back to 1906. But last year, the church announced that parts of the historic church could “close forever” unless they were to raise enough money to pay off a mountain of debt incurred under its former pastor.
Natasha:
So what changed things?
Warren:
Three days before the church’s historic property was to be sold in foreclosure, the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (SEOPW CRA) purchased it, allowing the loan to be paid off and granting repurchase rights to the church.
The CRA secured the auxiliary buildings, parking area, and fellowship hall roughly 72 hours before the property’s scheduled auction. The agreement allowed the church to lease those buildings for $1 each year.
St. John’s Baptist Church, according to the city’s historic preservation website, is one of the only Art Deco-style religious buildings in Miami-Dade County and a rare example of the style in Overtown, the heart of Miami’s historic African-American community.
Natasha:
Our next story comes from my home state of Colorado.
Warren:
The Rock church in Castle Rock, Colo., succeeded in obtaining a preliminary injunction that will allow it to operate an “on-site temporary shelter ministry” consistent with its religious beliefs.
On July 19, U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico issued the preliminary injunction in favor of the church after the city charged the church with zoning violations because the temporary shelters were not an allowed use.
According to court documents, two shelters, a trailer, and an RV are parked over 400 feet from the neighboring residential areas and have been used as temporary shelters since 2018.
Natasha:
How did the decision come down?
Warren:
The court found The Rock was entitled to an injunction because of the protection afforded it under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), which prohibits a city from enforcing land use regulations in a way that impose a “substantial burden” on the religious exercise of a church.
During the time that The Rock has been prohibited from using its temporary shelters, it has had to turn away homeless families in need. On the contrary, “The [t]own has not argued at this time that it would suffer any actual, material harm by allowing families to stay in the [c]hurch’s two mobile homes,” the order reads.
The church noted—and the city did not dispute—that it “has never experienced any public-safety or other related issues while carrying out this ministry, even as it has temporarily housed numerous individuals and small families.”
Natasha:
Next, the latest for the Church of the Nazarenes
Warren:
A Church of the Nazarene court has found one of its most prominent theologians guilty of affirming and advocating for the approval and inclusion of members who openly identify as LGBTQ, contrary to the church’s teachings.
After delivering the verdict on Saturday evening (July 28) against the Rev. Thomas Jay Oord of Nampa, Idaho, the court stripped Oord of his preaching credentials and expelled him from membership in the 2.5-million-member global denomination.
Natasha:
Can you explain why Oord was expelled?
Warren:
In its decision, the church court cited a book Oord wrote with his daughter Alexa Oord, who identifies herself as bisexual, titled, “Why the Church of the Nazarene Should Be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming,” in which they affirm gay sex, which the court found particularly egregious.
The court also objected to Oord’s behavior in defying church rules, including multiple requests that he either quit advocating for approval of LGBTQ lifestyles or give up his preaching credentials.
Oord now directs doctor of ministry students at Northwind Theological Seminary, an online-only school that is not affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. He will be able to keep his job, but he will no longer be allowed to publish with the Nazarene-owned publishing house, the Foundry, or preach or hold membership in any of its churches.
Natasha:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
Elevation Church, the megachurch based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and led by Steven Furtick, took in over $100 million in tithes and offerings in 2023, according to its Annual Report.
In its financial breakdown for 2023, the church reported that the largest portion of the revenue —34% or $34 million—went to personnel expenses. Central operations and ministries was the second highest category for expenditures at 25%. Another $13 million went toward outreach efforts.
Elevation Church reported a weekly in-person attendance of 17,091, an increase of 21% from the previous year. According to its website, Elevation Church has 19 locations, as well as online streaming.
According to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), of which Elevation Church is a member, the church had assets totaling $319 million at the end of Fiscal Year 2023. Net assets increased by $41 million from the previous year.
Last July, Elevation Church separated from the Southern Baptist Convention. While it gave no specific reason for the departure, the letter sent to the denomination stated, “You will find that our Statement of Beliefs on our website is very much in line with the Baptist Faith and Message — we have no intention of changing those core beliefs.”
Natasha:
What’s next?
Warren:
In June, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) General Assembly voted to investigate the teachings of the best-selling book “Jesus Calling,” written by the late author Sarah Young.
Now, the pastor who originally sent the overture to the General Assembly is transferring his membership to another denomination, but The PCA maintains that the overture is still valid.
Teaching Elder Benjamin Inman was a pastor in the PCA for 24 years, but has now transferred his credentials to the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA).
Natasha:
What was the overture?
Warren:
The amended overture requested reports from Mission to the World and the Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM) concerning their relationship with the book and its author, the reasons it was removed from CDM inventory, and “assess[ing] the book’s appropriateness for Christians in general and PCA members and congregations in particular with special regard for its doctrine and method.”
In a statement provided to byFaith, Inman explained his reasoning behind the overture: “The ‘Jesus Calling’ overture was purely an act of repentance for my failure to pursue the issue in 2013. I learned in 2023 that the book had sold 42 million copies, and I was ashamed of my inaction. I’m encouraged that my delinquent and meager attempt has been taken up by the General Assembly.”
Before her death, Young was a member of the PCA and had a degree from the denominational seminary, Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. She and her husband Steve were Mission to the World missionaries in Japan and Australia.
Natasha:
Who is in our Ministry Spotlight this week?
Warren:
Childcare Worldwide’s Donor Confidence Score recently dropped from a 90 to an 85, still ranking it in the “Give with Confidence” designation. It also now has a 1-star efficiency rating.
The organization, founded in 1981, is based in Lynden, Wash. It is a sponsorship organization that supports children in Africa, Asia, and South America.
Their Life Centers are community centers that provide medical care, education, food and clean water, and school supplies.
The organization ranks 88th out of 92 for Fund Acquisition within the Relief and Development sector and has a 1-star rating. In 2020, 12% of Childcare Worldwide’s expenses were spent on fundraising, and in 2023 the amount jumped to 20%. The sector median is 6%.
Childcare Worldwide’s Resource Allocation ranking is also 1-star. In order to have a high score in the Resource Allocation Rating category, MinistryWatch requires organizations to have 80-85% of its funding go towards programming. Currently, Childcare Worldwide only spends about 70% of its expenses on programming.
In 2023, the organization’s total revenue was $3.3 million and its total expenses were $4 million. It also has $1.1 million in net assets.
Natasha:
And who did Christina highlight in her roundup of Ministries Making a Difference?
Warren:
A ‘Network Member’ in Thailand partnered with Atlas Free, an anti-trafficking nonprofit, to offer a free baking class in the red light district for women in the sex trade. Because of the class, 30 survivors were impacted, one of whom went on to open her own business. Atlas Free has 5 stars, an “A” transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of 100 in the MinistryWatch database—the highest ratings in each category.
After learning their Colorado community had no support group for young mothers and their children, women from a local church started one of their own. Thanks to local grants and funds from a Blessing Our Community initiative, Cortez Church of the Nazarene provides childcare twice a month while inviting moms to enjoy snacks, coffee, door prizes, community and mentorship.
Davar Audio Bibles is recording a full audio Bible in Azeri, the official language of Azerbaijan. It will be the ministry’s first audio Bible for the Muslim-majority country of over 10 million, located along the border between West Asia and Eastern Europe. Davar Audio Bibles has 3 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 97.
Hand2Hand pairs churches in West Michigan with local schools to pray for students and pack and deliver food on weekends. This school year, it is partnering with 145 churches to serve 45 school districts. It also operates a store that sells wholesale food at reduced cost for community partners. The ministry estimates the store has saved partners more than $150,000 since it opened last fall. Hand2Hand has 3 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 100.
Natasha:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
Ad lib: California, Colorado, New Mexico
Shepherds for Sale — Dispatch
Natasha:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, Shannon Cuthrell, Yonat Shimron, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell.
I’m Natasha Cowden, in Denver, Colorado.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
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