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. Each week, we highlight ministries in our database that have had rating changes, plus a brief explanation about why it matters.
A few notable changes in the database this week:
- Over the past few months, we’ve added eight health sharing ministries into the MinistryWatch database. This week, we added a new sector to reflect that. Previously, the health sharing ministries were tracked in the Community Development sector. Now, they are in the Healthcare Sharing sector. This changed the Financial Efficiency Ratings in both sectors, as financial efficiency is graded on a 1- to 5-star scale by comparing a ministry’s financial data with that of its sector peers.
- That said, Altrua HealthShare is one ministry whose ratings took a hit, falling from 4 stars to 1 star in financial efficiency. That also dropped its Donor Confidence Score down to 36—a ‘Withhold Giving’ designation.
- Administer Justice, on the other hand, bumped up to a 5-star rating in the Community Development sector, earning it a “Shining Light” designation. That means it now has the highest ratings in each of the three categories that MinistryWatch tracks—financial efficiency, transparency, and donor confidence.
- A handful of colleges and universities saw a drop in their Financial Efficiency Ratings, such as Southeastern University, Northwest University, and Dallas International University—although each of them still has a high Donor Confidence Score.
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:
Judge Denies Gateway Elders’ Motions to Dismiss
By Kim Roberts. Two former elders of Gateway Church, a Dallas-area megachurch formerly led by Robert Morris, were unsuccessful in seeking dismissal from a civil action for defamation brought by Morris’s abuse survivor Cindy Clemishire.
Seminaries Partner With Kanakuk Institute
By Kim Roberts. At a time when momentum is growing in state legislatures to pass laws prohibiting the use of nondisclosure agreements in cases involving child sexual abuse, three seminaries and one Christian college are partnering with a discipleship and leadership program with connections to Kanakuk Kamps.
Third Defendant Indicted in Forced Labor Conspiracy Involving Kingdom of God Global Church
By Kim Roberts. A third defendant has been indicted for allegedly participating in a forced labor conspiracy with other leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church in Michigan, founded by self-proclaimed prophet David E. Taylor.
Here’s what else is new at MinistryWatch this week.
MinistryWatch Database Changes
MinistryWatch now has more than 1,300 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 to the database:
Awakening Foundation (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 53)
Johnson University (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 53)
Pacific Union College (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 68)
Paul Quinn College (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 68)
Wesleyan School Inc. (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 68)
Ministries with upgraded ratings:
Administer Justice (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)
Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector, now earning it the highest ratings in all three categories that MinistryWatch tracks.
Advent Christian Village (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 72)
Now in bottom 40% (up from bottom 20%) for financial efficiency in Community Development sector.
Loving Shepherd Ministries (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 94)
Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector.
Team Expansion (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: F, DCS: Up 9 to 31)
Board composition meets standards, and ministry has statement of faith employees must affirm.
Trinity Christian Academy – Addison, TX ( Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 96)
Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 42)
Now in bottom 40% (up from bottom 20%) for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.
Ministries with downgraded ratings:
Altrua HealthShare (Down 4 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 56 to 36)
Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Healthcare Sharing sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Catch Up & Read (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 68 to 48)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Christian Healthcare Ministries (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 56)
Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Healthcare Sharing sector.
Dallas International University (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 97 to 77)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Desert Christian Academy (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 98 to 78)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Northwest University (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 95)
Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.
Southeastern University (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 69)
Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.
William Carey University (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 48 to 46)
CEO/President’s compensation is not within one standard deviation of the median compensation.
On The MinistryWatch Podcast
Gateway Church, Kanakuk, Another Christian College Closes
On today’s program, a judge has denied the request of two Gateway Church elders who were seeking to be dismissed from a defamation lawsuit filed by Robert Morris’ sexual abuse victim, Cindy Clemishire. We’ll have details.
Also, three seminaries and one Christian college have partnered with Kanakuk Institute to train Christian leaders—but abuse advocates are crying foul, saying the partnership could send the wrong message, potentially glossing over Kanakuk’s checkered past.
Plus, a new study shows that despite federal funding cuts, most nonprofits are still reporting a revenue increase. And, Best Christian Workplaces champions 310 faith-based organizations.
But first, another Christian college has announced that it’s closing its doors at the end of this school year.
Access to MinistryWatch content is free. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. To make a donation, click here
ECFA Membership Changes
Removals
William Jessup University (Rocklin, CA)
A Beacon of Hope Women’s Center (Johns Creek, GA)
Transforming Center (Wheaton, IL)
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 info@ministrywatch.com. 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.
The post Administer Justice Earns Top Ratings, Altrua HealthShare Drops Into ‘Withhold Giving’ Designation <br> <p style=’font-size:18px;line-height: 1.2em;’>And other notable ministry happenings from this week.</p> appeared first on MinistryWatch.
Truth2Freedom's Blog 