WEEKLY REVIEW

Top stories of the week, MinistryWatch 1000 database changes

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:

Kay Arthur Dies at 91

By Bob Smietana. Kay Arthur, a popular Christian speaker, author and longtime host of the “Precepts for Life” Bible teaching program that was broadcast around the world, has died. She was 91. 

Bob Jones University Names New President

By Kim Roberts. Bob Jones University (BJU) announced the appointment of Dr. Bruce McAllister as its new president, replacing Josh Crockett who has served just under a year.

What to Make of Calvin Robinson?

By Warren Cole Smith. If you are a conservative, Bible-believing Christian, there’s a lot to like about the Rev. Calvin Robinson. Raised in England, he stood up to the liberalism of the Church of England and, as a result, that church would not ordain him. He is a powerful communicator who puts his gifts in service of pro-life causes, the sanctity of marriage, and other important issues. Then there’s the “other” Calvin Robinson.

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:

Friends of Agape (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)

Mission India (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 51)

Ministries with upgraded ratings:

Alfalit International Inc (Up 3 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 90)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector.

Becket Fund for Religious Liberty (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 66)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Advocacy sector.

Bibles for the World (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 78)

Now in bottom 40% (up from bottom 20%) for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector.

Christian Union (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 74)

Now in bottom 40% (up from bottom 20%) for financial efficiency in Leadership Training sector.

City Mission of Schenectady (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.

Development Associates International (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 97 to 100)

Board composition consistent with recommended MinistryWatch standards.

FAME – Fellowship of Associates of Medical Evangelism (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 95)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Evangelism sector.

Fellowship of Companies for Christ / FCCI (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 96 to 98)

Board composition consistent with recommended MinistryWatch standards.

Global Scholars previously International Institute For Christian Studies (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 73 to 78)

Board composition consistent with recommended MinistryWatch standards.

Harvest USA (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 73 to 78)

Board composition consistent with recommended MinistryWatch standards.

Ministries with downgraded ratings:

Barnabas Aid / Barnabas Fund Inc (Down 4 to 0 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 100 to 80)

Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid South Inc (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 71 to 51)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Christian Foundations sector, also dropping its donor confidence score by 20 points.

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 77)

Now in to 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.

Downtown Rescue Mission Inc.  (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 95 to 75)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector, also dropping its donor confidence score by 20 points.

Training Leaders International (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 98)

Does not make audited financials available on website.

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On The MinistryWatch Podcast

Liberty & Falwell Settlement Terms Released, Bob Jones University, Kay Arthur, and Daystar

On today’s program, Liberty University reached a settlement with disgraced former President Jerry Falwell Jr. last year, but the terms of that settlement were only disclosed this week. We’ll have details.

And, Bob Jones University names a new president just a month after its current leader announced he is stepping back. Many alumni aren’t happy with the choice. We’ll explain why.

Plus, beloved Bible study author Kay Arthur has died at 91. We’ll look back at the ministry founder’s life.

But first, police close its investigation into sexual abuse allegations against Daystar.

Listen here. 

ECFA Changes

The following organizations have had membership status changes in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. 

ADDITIONS:

CDM Illinois (Wheaton, IL)

Family Life Radio (Tucson, AZ)

Freedom Food Pantry (Denton, TX)

Intentional Living (Tucson, AZ)

Intentional Live Events (Tucson, AZ)

SIL Global

REMOVALS:

Christian Service Brigade (Hamburg, NY)

CSB Ministries (Hamburg, NY)

Care Net Pregnancy Center of Coastal Georgia

Family Life Communications Incorporated

Grace Like Rain (Denton, TX)

KidWorks (Santa Ana, CA)

Lighthouse Angels (Memphis, TN)

Mapping Center for Evangelism (Orlando, FL)

OnePassion Ministries (Dallas, TX)

Operation One (Beaverton, OR)

Teen Challenge International of Mid-America (Cape Girardeau, MO)

The Brigade Shop (Hamburg, NY)

The Medical Centers of West Africa (Baton Rouge, LA)

The Way Back (Richardson, TX)

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.