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:

ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood Accused of Sexual Misconduct

By Kathryn Post. Archbishop Steve Wood, who heads the Anglican Church of North America, faces allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and plagiarism, according to an explosive report released by The Washington Post on Thursday (Oct. 23). The list of charges, signed by at least 10 individuals attesting to the allegations, is the latest in a string of crises to rock the small, conservative denomination.

Rejecting Canterbury Decision, Conservative Bishops Claim Lead of Anglican Communion

By Fredrick Nzwili. Weeks after the appointment of the Rt. Rev. Sarah Mullally as the leader of the Anglican Communion, conservative Anglican prelates in Africa have rejected the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury and have proclaimed their own network of conservative churches the official voice of Anglicanism.

Feds Decline to File Charges Against Olivet University

By Stacey Horton. Federal authorities declined to bring criminal charges against Olivet University, ending a federal investigation into alleged human labor-trafficking and visa-fraud connected to Olivet University, a Christian college in California.

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 recently added into the database:

Ask Dr. Brown Ministries / Line of Fire (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 71)

Friends of the Good Samaritans (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)

Seed of Abraham Ministries (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 96)

Watered Gardens (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade:A , DCS: 55)

Ministries with upgraded ratings:

American Heritage Girls (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 93 to 95)

Axis (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 38 to 40)

Destiny Rescue USA (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 92 to 97)

Free the Oppressed dba Free Burma Rangers (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 95 to 98)

Harvey Cedars Bible Conference Inc (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 91 to 93)

High Adventure Ministries, Inc.  (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: F, DCS: Up 2 to 7)

Home of Grace (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 56 to 58)

Riverside Christian Ministries (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 77 to 95)

Roever Evangelistic Association (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 73 to 75)

Servant Partners Inc (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 95 to 97)

Sunday Breakfast Mission (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 78 to 80)

The 410 Bridge (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 76 to 78)

Urban Youth Impact (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 75 to 77)

Ministries with downgraded ratings:

Bethel University – Minnesota (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 69 to 67)

Bryan College (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 91 to 89)

Cafe 1040 (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 100 to 95)

Compass (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 80)

Global Catalytic Ministries (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 55 to 53)

Guiding Light Mission (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 92 to 70)

Institute for Creation Research / ICR (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 100 to 80)

Institute in Basic Life Principles (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down C to D, DCS: 51)

International Outreach Ministries (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: Up 83 to 85)

Our Daily Bread Ministries (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 100 to 95)

Resourcing Christian Education International / RCE (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)

The Christian Academy (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 98 to 78)

Trinity College of Florida (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 75 to 73)

Water4 Inc (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 75 to 73)

World Orphans (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 100 to 98)

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On The MinistryWatch Podcast

Olivet University, The Anglican Church, and Possible Closing of 100K Churches

On this week’s program, federal officials have declined to file charges against Olivet University. The Christian school in California has faced accusations of human labor trafficking and visa fraud—accusations the school denies. We’ll have details.

Plus, both news and scandal from the Anglican church. After the Church of England appointed Sarah Mullaly as its next bishop of Canterbury, another network of Anglican leaders have announced they are cutting ties with Canterbury and laying claim to the Anglican Communion. Just days later the archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, Steve Wood, faces accusations of misconduct.

And, church experts have predicted that 100,000 churches might close in coming years—we get an update on that number, and ask what it means for churches moving forward.

But first, a Christian campus group wins in court after a Texas law tried to ban ‘expressive activities’ at night.

Listen here.

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.