MinistryWatch’s Top 10 Stories for October

The following stories had the most page views at the MinistryWatch website during the month of October. We present them here in a “countdown” format, from 10 to 1. The first few sentences of each story are reproduced below. To read the entire story, click on the link. To read the Top 25 stories of 2025, click here.

10. LGBTQ-Focused Ministry Disputes ‘Conversion Therapy’ Accusation

By Tony Mator. While laws against conversion therapy face court challenges, some opponents of the controversial treatments have begun to lump traditional biblical counseling under the same banner. Strength in Weakness (SIW), a ministry to same-sex attracted Christians, their families and church communities, has come under fire for practicing what critics call conversion therapy in disguise.

9. Christian Blogger Samuel Sey Arrested by ICE, Faces Deportation

By Bob Smietana. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said conservative Christian blogger and podcaster Samuel Sey will be deported. But Sey’s supporters say a clerical error led to the arrest and hope he will soon be released.

8. Senate Passes Clergy Act

By Tony Mator. A years-long effort to provide a retirement safeguard for U.S. clergy has taken another major step forward. On Sept. 30, the Senate unanimously passed the Clergy Act, following the bill’s passage by the House of Representatives in April. The legislation provides a second chance for ministers experiencing buyer’s remorse after taking advantage of a special exemption in the U.S. tax code.

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7. Former Youth Pastor Sues Church for Nearly $450K After Acquittal

By Kim Roberts. A former youth pastor who was acquitted of charges that he sexually abused two minors is now suing his former church to recover nearly $450,000 in legal expenses he incurred defending himself.

6. Popular Christian Authors Arrested for Alleged Abuse

By Bob Smietana. A popular Christian author and speaker and her professor husband were arrested Sept. 24 and charged with assault. Heather Thompson Day, 39, and her husband, Seth Day, co-authors of “I’ll See You Tomorrow,” a book on relationships, were both charged with causing “injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual with intent to cause bodily injury,” according to reports from Spectrum magazine and AdventistToday.org, both Seventh-day Adventist publications.

5. Tebow, Groeschel Suspend Ties to Life Surge Events

By Bob Smietana. The pastor of one of the nation’s largest churches will no longer speak at Life Surge, a series of Christian leadership and finance events accused of pressuring attendees into taking on thousands in debt.

4. Andy Stanley Stepping Down as Senior Pastor of North Point

By Kadence McKinnon. Andy Stanley, founder of North Point Community Church and North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia, announced Sunday that he is stepping down early next year as senior pastor of both the church and its overarching ministry.

3. Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa Settles $12M Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

By Kim Roberts. A sexual abuse survivor has reached a $12 million settlement with Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa after alleging that one of the church’s former leaders raped her 12 times, according to her attorneys.

2. Chaos at Christianity Today

By Warren Cole Smith. The leadership of Christianity Today attempted to put a good face on all the changes happening there. A statement released on Oct. 2 said, “Celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founding, Christianity Today announced a new editorial leadership team to bring together the full scope of its various media platforms.”

1. New Details Emerge in Days’ Abuse Case

By Bob Smietana. A criminal complaint reviewed by RNS revealed previously undisclosed details about sexual abuse allegations against Seth Day, husband of bestselling Adventist author and speaker Heather Thompson Day.

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