WEEKLY REVIEW
Snapshot of top happenings from this past 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 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:
Josh Buice, Critic of ‘Big Eva,’ Quits G3 Conference
By Bob Smietana. An influential Calvinist pastor who quit the Southern Baptist Convention over concerns that it was too liberal has been suspended by his church for causing controversy online, running fake social media accounts that criticized his church’s elders and other pastors from a conference he ran.
Counselor Suspended After State Charges
By Illinois Baptist Staff. A mental health counselor for two counseling services in Metro East St. Louis in Illinois has been charged with five counts related to sexual exploitation of a minor.
Lawsuit Against Grand Canyon Education Moves Forward
By Kim Roberts. Former doctoral students suing Grand Canyon Education (GCE) over its representations about the requirements of doctoral programs at Grand Canyon University (GCU) prevailed against a motion to dismiss and can continue their lawsuit.
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 added into the MinistryWatch database:
Mission Mutual (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 95)
Ministries with upgraded ratings:
Christ For the City International (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: F, DCS: Up 11 to 33)
Board composition in compliance with MinistryWatch standards.
LeaderSource SGA / Strategic Global Assistance (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 75 to 77)
Does make audited financials available on website.
The Seed Company (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: Up D to C, DCS: 53)
Does make audited financials available on website.
Training Leaders International (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 93 to 98)
Board contains between 5 and 11 members.
World Compassion Terry Law Ministries (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 83)
Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Evangelism Support sector.
Ministries with downgraded ratings:
Engineering Ministries International (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 70)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Feed My Sheep (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 95 to 93)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Mississippi Christian University (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 48 to 46)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Missouri Baptist University (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 71 to 69)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
North Park University (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 43 to 41)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Ohio Christian University (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 74 to 72)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Point Loma Nazarene University (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 81 to 79)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Sky Ranches Inc (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 98)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
Uncharted Ministries (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 97 to 95)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
What Matters Ministries and Missions (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 97 to 95)
Does not make audited financials available on website.
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On The MinistryWatch Podcast
Calvin Robinson, The Episcopal Church, Josh Buice and G3.
On today’s program, Calvin Robinson was dismissed by the Anglican Catholic Church earlier this year after making a nazi-like salute at a pro-life summit. This week, another denomination has restored him to service…but not without pushback. We’ll have details.
And, the Episcopal Church is ending its partnership with the U.S. after refusing to settle refugees from South Africa. We’ll take a look.
Plus, long-time Carolina University President Charles Petitt passed away last week. His two-decade tenure transformed the small North Carolina school.
But first, influential Calvinist pastor has been suspended from his church over multiple fake social media accounts he ran where he criticized pastors and elders in his inner circle.
ECFA Changes
The following organizations have had membership status changes in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
ADDITIONS:
Acacia Tree (Wilmore, KY)
Chapel at PK (Graford, TX)
Christian Education Center (Louisville, KY)
DNA & Beyond (Trinity, FL)
Help Center (Louisville, KY)
REMOVALS:
RealOptions Redwood City (Redwood City, CA)
Fathers for fatherless (Burnsville, MN)
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.
MinistryWatch Video. In closing, a reminder that we have created a short (3.5 minutes) video that explains what we do here at MinistryWatch, and why. If you’re new to MinistryWatch, we hope you’ll check it out. To find it, click here.
