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: 

Lawsuit Against Dave Ramsey Can Go Forward

By Bob Smietana. A federal appeals court ruled that a lawsuit against Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey by a former employee who was fired for being pregnant while unmarried can go forward.

Brady Boyd Resigns From New Life Church

By Kim Roberts. Brady Boyd, senior pastor of megachurch New Life Church in Colorado Springs, resigned his position last week after it became clear he misled the congregation regarding his knowledge of former Gateway Pastor Robert Morris’s alleged abuse of Cindy Clemishire.

Two Megachurches Face Financial Shortfalls

By Kim Roberts.  Two large, well-known churches in the U.S. are facing budget shortfalls and financial cuts. Gateway Church and Grace Community Church have been missing their long-time preachers, with one facing scandal and the other health challenges.

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 with upgraded ratings:

Jubilee Ministries (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 73 to 95)

Makes Form 990 and audited financials available to the public.

Liberty Ministries (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 93 to 95)

Meets all of MinistryWatch’s donor confidence standards except for the number of members on its board.

Life Training Institute (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 71)

Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Pro-Life sector.

Live Action (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 68 to 70)

Makes audited financials available on its website, and refrains from use of NDAs.

Loving Shepherd Ministries (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 72 to 92)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector, also raising its donor confidence score by 20 points.

Northrise University Initiative (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 93 to 95)

Makes audited financials available on its website, and refrains from use of NDAs.

Starry Inc.  (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 95)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Adoption/Foster Care sector.

Wears Valley Ranch (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 80 to 100)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Adoption/Foster Care sector, also raising its donor confidence score by 20 points.  

Ministries with downgraded ratings:

Globe International Ministries (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down C to D, DCS: 51)

Does not make Form 990 available to the public, nor does it make audited financials available on website.

Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down C to D, DCS: 38)

Does not make Form 990 available to the public, nor does it make audited financials available on website.

Life Challenge of Southeastern Michigan (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 71)

Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Community Development sector.

No Longer Bound (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 93 to 73)

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

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)

Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Pro-Life sector.

Tim Tebow Foundation (Down 2 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 75)

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

Water for Life Haiti (Down 2 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 75)

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

World Hope Ministries International (Down 2 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 80)

Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Evangelism Support sector.  

On The MinistryWatch Podcast

Dave Ramsey, Brady Boyd, and Kris “Kdub” Williams

On this week’s program, Brady Boyd resigns from New Life Church. Boyd was on staff at Gateway during Robert Morris’ tenure, and elders now believe he misled the congregation about his knowledge of Morris’ alleged abuse. We’ll have details.

Also, a court ruled that a lawsuit filed against Dave Ramsey can move forward. A former employee who was fired for being pregnant while unmarried is suing Ramsey for religious discrimination. We’ll take a look.

And, the sale of St. Louis FM radio station resulted in a standoff between two giants in Christian radio—K-LOVE and Joy FM Radio—and an almost $9-million price tag.

But first, Christian YouTuber Kris ‘Kdub’ Williams responds to rebuke following revelations of an affair.

Listen here.

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ECFA Changes

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

REMOVALS:

ELIM Retreats (Waukesha, WI)

Mu Kappa (Elkhorn, WI)

The Pregnancy Network Mobile Unit (Greensboro, NC)

Path2Freedom LLC (Honolulu, HI)

Camp Sonshine (Honey Brook, PA)

Wretched Radio and TV (Alpharetta, GA)

Gospel Partners Media (Alpharetta, GA)

Los Angeles Mission (Los Angeles, CA)

The Art of Family Living (Coppell, TX)

Journey to the Fatherless (Cincinnati, OH)

Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center of Southeastern Connecticut

ADDITIONS:

Allyfe Pregnancy Clinic (Las Vegas, NV)

Counseling Center (San Francisco, CA)

R12 Ministries (Plano, TX)

Twelve 12 Ministries (Plano, TX)

On Time REACH (Honolulu, HI)

Open Doors U.S. (Santa Ana, CA)

Southview Community Church (Herndon VA)

The Word on the Hill  (Ventura, CA)

CARE Parenting Center (Shreveport, LA)

Sponsor a Pastor (Anaheim, CA)

Adopt a Student (Anaheim, CA)

Orphan Assistance (Anaheim, CA)

Youth Outreach  (Chicago, IL)

Fayette PRC (Fayetteville, GA)

Sonrrise Baby Home

Sonrise Children’s Home

Mirembe Cottage for Girls

Freedom House Learning Center (Anderson, IN)

Freedom House Church (Anderson, IN)

Christian Resources (Anaheim, CA)

Son Club (Ocean City, NJ)

Agape Education Assistance (Chapel Hill, NC)

ARK Preschool (Ocean City, NJ)

Camp Sonshine (Ocean City, NJ)

Agape Missionary Support (Chapel Hill, NC)

Biblical Training (Chapel Hill, NC)

Care for the Hopeless  (Anaheim, CA)

Anchor of Hope (New London, CT)

Agape Safe Haven (Lebanon, PA)

Bethel Thrift Store (Hixson, TN) 

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