By Warren Smith and Natasha Smith
4.7
115115 ratings
The podcast currently has 406 episodes available.
On today’s program,, Christian ministries are on the forefront of relief efforts as cities in Western North Carolina grapple with loss after Hurricane Helene. We’ll take a look.
And, a Georgia congregation locked out of their own building after splitting from its parent church. We’ll have details.
Plus, the missions organization Ethnos 360 faces a lawsuit after a victim alleges that another missionary child abused her…and the ministry is continuing to allow the perpetrator access to other children.
But first, the United Kingdom has launched an investigation into Barnabas Aid.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Bob Smietana, Tony Mator, Brittany Smith—and you, Warren.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Christina:
And I’m Christina Darnell, in for Natasha Cowden, also coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, Christian ministries are on the forefront of relief efforts as cities in Western North Carolina grapple with loss after Hurricane Helene. We’ll take a look.
And, a Georgia congregation locked out of their own building after splitting from its parent church. We’ll have details.
Plus, the missions organization Ethnos360 faces a lawsuit after a victim alleges that another missionary child abused her…and the ministry is continuing to allow the perpetrator access to other children.
Christina:
But first, the United Kingdom has launched an investigation into Barnabas Aid.
Warren:
Barnabas Aid — also known as Barnabas Fund, which aids persecuted Christians — is being investigated by the Charity Commission in the United Kingdom. On Sept. 17, the commission opened a statutory inquiry into the ministry based on allegations of a “£15m ($20 million) hole in the finances of its global network,”
Christina:
Additionally, Barnabas Aid is almost three months late in filing its latest financial accounts, according to the Charity Commission’s website.
Warren:
In August, Patrick Sookdheo, founder of Barnabas Aid, was suspended from his role in the organization due to concerns about financial mismanagement and a toxic work culture.
Noel Frost served as chief executive of the international organization, according to the Church Times. He also was removed from his position earlier this year due to allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety.
A Barnabas spokesperson told The Telegraph the investigation is ongoing, and “if it reveals that there has been any financial wrongdoing, then we are committed to recovering it.”
Christina:
Barnabas Aid has offices in several countries, including the United States, and also has an international office called Nexcus International.
Warren:
Nexcus was previously called Christian Relief International (CRI), but the name was changed to enable Barnabas Aid to “provide aid to countries where Christianity is prohibited,” according to Barnabas Aid USA CEO Jeremy Frith.
A letter dated August 14 by self-described interim international chief executive of Nexcus, Colin Bloom, said an independent investigation has found “serious and repeated contraventions of internal policies” and had brought “evidence of serious financial impropriety” to light.
According to the Barnabas Aid website, Nexcus (formerly CRI) serves as the international office for all Barnabas Aid ministries worldwide. Nexcus is registered in the US, but has an office in the UK.
Christina:
Our next story hits close to home for us, Warren.
In North Carolina, our neighbors to the west of Charlotte are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and Christian ministries are on the front lines.
Warren:
In the days since Hurricane Helene swept through mostly rural areas of nine states, Kevin King, executive director of Mennonite Disaster Service, has been working to make plans for how to best respond, despite spotty phone service due to downed cell towers and roads and bridges that have been washed out or blocked by fallen trees.
On Tuesday (Oct. 1), King was cheered as disaster relief workers from Mennonite communities around Ohio and Pennsylvania arrived outside Asheville, North Carolina, with chainsaws and earth-moving equipment to help clear the back roads as government services focus on main thoroughfares as well as search and rescue. “It’s good to hear sounds of chainsaws bringing hope,” he said.
Six more Mennonite heavy equipment operators are expected to start work Wednesday, bringing the total volunteers on site to about 30.
Christina:
And they’re not the only ones providing relief
Warren:
Other groups, such as Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and Samaritan’s Purse, have also been active in North Carolina.
Tom Beam, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief’s director for North Carolina, reported that volunteers are working in eight counties in that state.
Water Mission, a South Carolina-based engineering nonprofit that helps supply clear water around the world, has staff that live in storm-affected areas. In response, the nonprofit, which has recently begun doing disaster relief in the U.S., sent six water filtration systems and 175 generators to affected areas.
Christina:
And World Vision is active there too.
Warren:
That’s right, World Vision, has been sending truckloads of water as well as muck-out kits, generators, phone chargers, blankets, coolers and blankets to Florida and North Carolina. Reed Slattery, national director for U.S. programs at World Vision, said the supplies are being distributed from local churches, such as St. John Baptist in Arden, North Carolina, just south of Asheville.
“Our goal is to get supplies to the whole region,” said Slattery, who will head to the Southeast later this week to assess additional needs.
Christina:
Next, A big win for Pregnancy Centers in New York
Warren:
Pregnancy resource centers (PRC) in New York will continue offering abortion pill reversal assistance after they won a preliminary injunction in federal district court last week.
Summit Life Center and Evergreen Association — doing business as EMC Frontline Pregnancy Centers — won an injunction preventing New York Attorney General Letitia James from enforcing New York statutes against them to keep them from informing the public about Abortion Pill Reversal (APR), its safety, and its effectiveness.
Christina:
The injunction will remain in place until the underlying lawsuit is fully resolved.
Warren:
According the federal lawsuit filed on behalf of the pregnancy centers by the Thomas More Society, James began threatening PRCs and the national Abortion Pill Reversal Network in April with notices-of-intent-to-sue, claiming that “recipients’ truthful noncommercial statements about APR constituted commercial fraud under two state statutes.”
James threatened to silence the promotion of APR, but not the procedure itself.
They filed a lawsuit to defend their free speech, free exercise, and due process rights to continue speaking about APR.
Thomas More Society Vice President Peter Breen said in a press statement, “This injunction marks a critical victory for New York’s pregnancy help organizations.”
Christina:
Warren, let’s look at one more story before we take our first break,
Warren:
A missions agency that has faced allegations of historical abuse within its ranks is now being sued by an alleged victim.
Ethnos360, formerly New Tribes Mission, is being sued by a minor female, identified in the lawsuit as A.W., and her parents George Grant Whidden and Tracey Whidden in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court in Seminole County, Florida. The plaintiffs reside in Florida, and the Ethnos360 headquarters is located there.
The lawsuit says AW was abused by another child while they were living at a missionary training center, but that neither Ethnos nor Missouri authorities, where the training center was, took adequate steps to investigate.
Ethnos360 did not reply to a request for comment before the time of publication.
Christina:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, deaf people have been gathering at a Dallas-area church for 40 years to worship in their own service.
I’m Christina Darnell, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Christina:
Welcome back. I’m Christina Darnell, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break, the deaf community is considered by some to be one of the most unreached people groups in the world.
Warren:
In 1981, Terry and Cindy Heidecker, both of whom are deaf, began the ministry to provide an opportunity for deaf members of the community to worship in a way that is more familiar to them rather than having to adjust to a service geared toward the hearing.
Legacy offers Bible classes and a worship service in sign language, with interpretation for those who are hearing. The worship service is also streamed online for those who are homebound.
Christina:
According to the U.S. Census, at least 13% of the population is deaf or experiences some kind of hearing loss. And yet, this group remains one of groups that is considered most unreached with the Gospel.
Warren:
McTee encourages more churches to pick up the mantle of outreach to the deaf. He acknowledges that it comes with challenges, but says it will be worth it. Challenges include a lack of ministers who are deaf nor enough qualified American Sign Language interpreters.
Legacy is trying to increase its outreach to the deaf in the surrounding community, especially
children and teens. They have started hosting a deaf festival in early November with food and games.
They want to reach the whole family by showing the parents that Legacy is a safe, caring place for their children where they can learn more about God.
Christina:
Next up, a Georgia congregation is locked out of its building after a church split.
Warren:
On Sept. 25, the pastors of Winder Church (formerly War Hill South) found themselves locked out of their own sanctuary in Winder, Georgia.
The move to have the locks changed came, they said, without warning, but was not entirely unexpected.
Christina:
Why is that?
Warren:
Five months prior, the small satellite campus, which draws an average of 45 people on a typical Sunday, had disassociated from its parent organization, War Hill Church, due to a string of scandals previously covered by MinistryWatch, including an alleged robbery cover-up and abusive treatment of PTA moms.
Associate Pastor Johnny Hicks from Winder Church, told MinistryWatch that War Hill never formally asked the Winder congregation to vacate the building, and no eviction notice was posted. Hicks also raised questions about the use of funds by War Hill.
Christina:
So what’s next for Winder Church?
Warren:
Though Winder Church is currently a flock without a home or an alternate plan to obtain one, Price has no regrets.
“Winder Church, we counted the cost and paid it,” Price posted Thursday on social media. “If any one of you has been helped by this, it was worth it! Setting our eyes on what God has in store for us! No turning back, no turning back.”
War Hill Church did not respond to requests from MinistryWatch for comment.
Christina:
Next, Protestia Founder J.D. Hall has been found guilty of embezzlement.
Warren:
Two years after losing his pulpit and popular polemics ministry due to “serious sin,” J.D. Hall has been found guilty of embezzling his former church, Fellowship Baptist Church (FBC) in Sidney, Montana.
A deferred sentencing agreement filed Sept. 10 in Richland County District Court requires Hall to pay $15,454 to FBC to restore funds he misused while serving as its pastor.
If Hall complies with all the requirements of the plea agreement over the next three years, the felony embezzlement verdict will be wiped from his record. Those requirements also include reporting to a probation officer, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and honoring a ban on weapons ownership.
Christina:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Christina Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Christina:
Welcome back. I’m Christina Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
In July 2021, Spoken Worldwide announced it had launched a three-year program with the Seed Company to provide 20 Bible translation projects for language groups whose primary means of communication is oral, not written.
As of March 2024, all of the 20 languages have been chosen and the translation projects started, according to Ed Weaver, president and CEO of Spoken Worldwide.
Weaver told MinistryWatch a number of the projects are taking place in countries that are hostile to the Gospel and thus cannot be revealed, but he named several others including Nigeria, Ghana, South Sudan, Zambia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
To determine which languages it chose for oral translations, Spoken used The All Access List from Every Tribe Every Nation—a list of those without a Bible of any kind in their heart language.
Weaver said he expects that the New Testament equivalent of the first four translations will be completed by 2026.
Christina:
And what’s our next story?
Warren:
It’s a new month, and we have a new list.
We have a list of the 50 largest evangelism and discipleship ministries, according to the MinistryWatch database.
We typically see little movement among the top ministries on this year’s list. Cru is so much larger than the others, so it has been in the number one spot for the five years we have been publishing this list.
However, number two Young Life continues to grow significantly, though its rate of growth slowed from the dramatic $100 million growth spurt it showed last year. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes also increased by $20 million, or more than 10 percent from the previous year.
We also see seven new ministries on this year’s list. They are Crossway/Good News Publishers (20), Orange/The Rethink Group (25), Josiah Venture (32), Revival Today (45), Community Bible Study (46), Cadence International (48), New Song Ministries (49), and Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex (50).
That means, of course, a like number of ministries fell off the list. They include Anabaptist Foundation, Mennonite Brethren Foundation, Operation Mobilization, Tim Tebow Foundation, Crown Financial Ministries, Institute for Creation Research, and Youth for Christ International.
You can see the complete list at MinistryWatch.com
Christina:
And who is in our Ministry Spotlight this week?
Warren:
Kairos Prison Ministry. We focused on this ministry because it has dropped out of the ECFA. The nonprofit also does not release its Form 990s to the public.
In light of the organization’s ECFA membership change and lack of 990 information, Kairos now has a MinistryWatch Donor Confidence Score of 48, an “Exercise Caution” designation.
While the organization does make some audited financial statements available on its website, these statements don’t provide the full scope of financial information a 990 would, like the salaries of its board members and executives.
According to its 2023 audited financial statement, Kairos had revenue of $6.8 million.
Kairos declined to provide a comment for the story.
Christina:
And who did we highlight in Ministries Making a Difference?
Warren:
Samaritan’s Purse has committed to donate an additional 20 armored ambulances to Israel’s emergency services system in honor of three American Israeli men killed by Hamas. This is on top of the 22 ambulances and two medic stations already committed. Samaritan’s Purse is also deploying tractor trailers with disaster relief supplies to five U.S. cities hit hard by Hurricane Helene.
Trail Life, a Christ-centered scouting program that aims to “grow godly men,” continues to see a massive growth surge in new members after Boy Scouts of America changed its name to Scouting America back in May. This fall, as students head back to school and Trail Life gears up for a new season, 5,000 new members have joined the ranks, eclipsing the ministry’s 60,000-member mark. Trail Life is one of our top rated ministries, with a donor confidence score of 98.
Christina:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
Webinar: October 24. Understanding MinistryWatch’s Rating System.
Christina:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Bob Smietana, Tony Mator, Brittany Smith—and you, Warren.
I’m Christina Darnell, in Charlotte, North Carolina, in for Natasha Cowden this week.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith, also in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Christina:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
The Network is a group of churches started by Steve Morgan, a pastor who began his career as part of the Vineyard USA association of churches, but left that group to start his network of churches in 2006.
Until recently, the network had 26 member churches. Morgan is the lead pastor of Joshua Church in Austin, Texas. But in the past few months, families and even some churches have been speaking out about the practices of Morgan and The Network.
Today, we talk with reporter Kim Roberts, who has been covering The Network for MinistryWatch. Below is a transcript of that conversation.
Warren
Your story begins with a woman named Melanie and her estrangement from her daughter that she believes is because of The Network.
Before we talk more about Melanie, I want to mention that we use only her first name in today’s story. It is generally the practice of MinistryWatch to only use named sources. In this instance, because Melanie is trying to strike a balance between warning others and maintaining the possibility of reconciliation with her daughter, we agreed to only use her first name.
So, with that said, what can you tell me about Melanie’s story?
Kim
Melanie raised her children in a Christian home. So she was happy her daughter was getting involved in church while at college. But then she noticed their conversations change. Her daughter started to seem disconnected.
Warren
Then she really became disconnected.
Kim
She did. Melanie said that she hasn’t heard her daughter’s voice in two years. Her eldest daughter cut off contact with her on November 29, 2022, after Melanie expressed concerns about her daughter’s church and its practices. She sent her daughter a link to a website with stories of heartbreak from people affiliated with The Network.
Warren
Her daughter had joined Foundation Church, a Network church led by Justin Major, while she was a junior at Illinois State University.
Kim
That’s right, and this was not the first time she had disconnected from the family. Not long after her 21stbirthday in 2017, Melanie’s daughter announced she would be getting married to a young man she had just met. They were married within 10 days of meeting.
Six months later, Melanie received a text that her daughter and new son-in-law would need time to themselves and would have no contact with Melanie and her family for a year.
Warren
Melanie and her husband agreed to respect their daughter’s wishes and after about a year, they got together and things started to improve, Melanie said. What happened next?
Kim
In January 2020, Melanie helped after the arrival of her first grandbaby. While she loved spending time with her daughter and her family, Melanie was soon told not to send any text messages to her daughter without including her son-in-law also.
When she was in the area, Melanie asked to have lunch with her daughter but that was “not allowed.”
Warren
Despite the continued inexplicable boundaries and family strain, Melanie again helped when the second grandbaby arrived in May 2022. During the visit, Melanie said the two had good conversations, and she was optimistic that healing was occurring.
Kim
Then in October 2022, when Melanie was on her way to visit her father for his birthday, she offered to drop by so her eldest grandchild could sign the card to his great-grandfather.
Her daughter’s response was “upsetting” and “bizarre.” “I respectfully decline your request,” her daughter wrote in a text response, claiming the child didn’t know Melanie’s father.
Her daughter didn’t join the family Thanksgiving celebration that year and a few days later, Melanie shared her concerns about The Network of churches to which her daughter’s church belonged.
Warren
That was in 2022. And that’s her texts were blocked and communication ceased.
And in your story, Kim, you wrote something really interesting. Quoting Melanie, you wrote:
“I feel like if you have a close family, they will try to put a wedge there. They want to eliminate the family as a threat. The pastor becomes the father figure.”
Kim
That’s right, and that idea is a part of Melanie’s motivation to expose The Network.
Melanie began searching online and found similar stories. She wanted to warn others, so she created Families Against Cults on Campus (FACC). That effort includes a You Tube page with content about The Network, including testimonials.
Warren
The YouTube channel has gotten tens of thousands of views. So it is starting to get noticed.
What else can you tell me?
Kim
The leadership structure of Network churches and the alleged emphasis of the principle of “obeying your leaders in all things” is a red flag for the several dozen families who have joined FACC. They hope to stop the inflow of new recruits into Network churches, which are often planted near college campuses where they recruit members.
The FACC members have all been negatively impacted by connections to Network churches. In many cases, family members have cut off contact with them without explanation.
Warren
Can you give me another example?
Kim
Lori Hallatt is still hoping for a restored relationship with her son. She hasn’t had a conversation with him since May 2023 when he texted that he “needed distance” and would “reach out when ready.”
Warren
Lori Hallatt posted her testimonial on the Leaving The Network website. Can you read a portion of it?
Kim
She wrote this:
“I have come to discover in talking with others who have left the Network, this type of family division is not unique to my family; in fact it is quite prevalent. I have spent hours on the phone in recent weeks talking with other parents who have also been cut off from their family members who attend Network churches.”
Warren
And at least in this situation, there seems to be a bit of a break.
Kim
Now her son has reached out and asked his parents to come visit for a conversation on October 7. Hallatt will drive 10 hours in hopes that she can have a relationship with her son again.
Warren
Kim, I first heard about The Network when I got an email from a man named Andrew Lumpe. What can you tell me about his story?
Kim
Andrew Lumpe had been involved in three different Network churches since its inception. He had served in leadership roles, including serving on boards of elders.
In 2019 he raised concerns to leaders in The Network about Steve Morgan’s background. Morgan had been arrested for aggravated criminal sodomy in 1987 while serving as a youth leader for the Reformed Latter-Day Saints. The case against Morgan was ultimately diverted.
Lumpe said Network leadership declined to conduct an investigation, so he and his wife left. They were shunned by many previous friends.
Warren
Since leaving, Lumpe says he has learned of hundreds and even thousands of individuals who have been negatively impacted by The Network.
An online forum, Leaving the Network, was created to “platform the stories of those who have left Steve Morgan’s Network of Churches and to create a public record of the inner workings and history of The Network.”
Kim
The Leaving the Network group has heard from many families who noticed rapid changes in loved ones who became involved in a Network church. Examples include drastic personality changes, loss of interest in hobbies, significant financial commitment to the church, abrupt priority shifts, Network gatherings prioritized over family celebrations, and increased control of their lives by Network leaders.
Warren
This activism seems to be having an impact.
Kim
During the process of raising awareness about alleged problems in The Network, four churches have announced their departure from the Network of churches.
On August 31, Isaiah Church in Madison, Wisconsin, posted a statement saying it was formally disassociating from The Network because of an inability to resolve concerns about “leadership theology, church governance, and past decisions with network leadership.”
“It has come to the point that we believe we have exhausted all avenues and withdrawing from the network is the appropriate action for Isaiah Church due to our biblical convictions,” the statement continued.
Warren
On September 8, Vine Church in Carbondale, Illinois—a church founded by Morgan—posted a statement saying it would now be an independent, local church and no longer part of The Network.
The same day, North Pines Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan posted a similar statement that its board of overseers had “unanimously decided to end our affiliation with our prior church network.”
Kim
About a week later, a fourth church — Hosea Church in Raleigh, North Carolina — announced it had “lovingly ended [its] official association with that network due to differing theological positions regarding leadership and local church governance.”
Warren
The Leaving The Network group wasn’t wholly satisfied by these departures.
Kim
The Leaving the Network website said none of these churches addressed the “call to action” by former leaders from Network churches, which calls for an investigation into Morgan’s arrest, any potential victims of abuse, concealment, abusive systems, and leader behaviors.
Warren
Now, Kim, here at MinistryWatch, we try to get both sides of the story. Did you reach out to The Network and attempt to get its side?
Kim
MinistryWatch reached out to Joshua Church in Austin where Steve Morgan is lead pastor to ask for comment, but we did not receive a reply.
Warren
Kim, thanks for this fascinating story. And please keep us posted if you hear of any new developments.
Kim
Will do.
Warren
That brings to a close this EXTRA episode of the MinistryWatch podcast. As I mentioned earlier, this story about The Network came to us from Andrew Lumpe, a reader of MinistryWatch. If you have a story you’d like to see us cover, we’d like to hear from you. You can send your email to [email protected]
Thanks to Kim Roberts for being with me on this week’s EXTRA episode.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh.
Until next time, may God bless you.
On today’s program, longtime pastor Steve Lawson was removed as pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Dallas over an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a woman…now, ministries are dropping the author and teaching fellow as ripples of his affair spread. We’ll take a look.
And, devastated families share stories of being cut off by adult children involved in The Network—an association of churches started by Steve Morgan. We’ll have details.
Plus, two prominent pastors announce their plans for retirement.
But first, Fuller Seminary Professor Vince Bantu is being accused of a secret second marriage. Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, the denominational seminary for the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), acknowledged that former professor Vince Bantu engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student during his tenure there.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Jessica Eturralde, Tony Mator, Mallory Challis, G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Daniel Ritchie, Marci Seither, Aaron Earls, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell.
A special thanks to Baptist News Global for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, longtime pastor Steve Lawson was removed as pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Dallas over an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a woman…now, ministries are dropping the author and teaching fellow as ripples of his affair spread. We’ll take a look.
And, devastated families share stories of being cut off by adult children involved in The Network—an association of churches started by Steve Morgan. We’ll have details.
Plus, two prominent pastors announce their plans for retirement.
Natasha:
But first, Fuller Seminary Professor Vince Bantu is being accused of a secret second marriage.
Warren:
Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, the denominational seminary for the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), acknowledged that former professor Vince Bantu engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student during his tenure there.
The incident arose because of an investigative article published in Christianity Today about Bantu’s alleged secret marriage.
Covenant said after the student filed a Title IX complaint against Bantu, the seminary confronted him, he confessed to the relationship, and he resigned from his position in 2018.
Natasha:
But he didn’t stop teaching.
Warren:
That’s right, Bantu joined the faculty of Fuller Seminary in 2019 as an associate professor of church history and black church studies.
Covenant said they were contacted by Fuller about the reason for his departure and they “shared with Fuller Seminary all the details of what had happened in 2018.
Natasha:
He doesn’t just teach at Fuller, he’s also a pastor.
Warren:
Bantu left his co-pastoring position at Outpour Community Church shortly after the Covenant complaint, and founded a new church, Beloved Community Church. He also began meeting with two other pastors as part of an accountability group.
Those pastors, Darren Young and Thurman Williams, met with Bantu regularly to provide moral support and mutual discipleship. Young and Williams told CT about Bantu’s alleged secret marriage to a second wife based on conversations with him during accountability meetings. They said he argued that one way for him to avoid sexual temptation was to marry multiple women.
Natasha:
Is Fuller doing anything about these allegations?
Warren:
General Counsel Lance Griffin said in a statement.“Fuller Seminary is committed to thoroughly investigating any allegations of inappropriate conduct,We are aware of these allegations and can confirm an internal investigation is underway.”
Natasha:
Along similar lines, leaders respond to Steven Lawson’s moral disqualification.
Warren:
Last week, MinistryWatch reported that Trinity Bible Church of Dallas had “indefinitely removed” its lead pastor Steven J. Lawson “from all ministry activities” due to an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman.
Lawson has been a leading figure in evangelical circles. In addition to pastoring at Trinity, Lawson is the founder of OnePassion Ministries. He was professor of preaching and dean of D.Min. studies at The Master’s Seminary (TMS), and frequently preached for John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church (GCC) and its conferences.
Shortly following Trinity’s announcement (Sept. 20), both GCC and TMS scrubbed Lawson from their websites, but have yet to formally address Lawson’s moral failure.
Natasha:
How has the church responded?
Warren:
On Sunday, Trinity Bible Church of Dallas Elder Mark Becker addressed his congregation for the first time since Lawson’s dismissal.
He acknowledged the emotional and difficult week following Lawson’s removal, and noted that while questions persist, the focus will be on how the church will move forward. He gave no further information on the nature of Lawson’s moral failure.
Natasha:
Lets look at one more story before we take our first break, what do you have?
Warren:
Less than two months ago, Pastor Rodney Finch told his Calvary Chapel Cary congregation in Apex, North Carolina, “The time for me to go is now.”
Finch’s resignation came amid an uproar over the discovery he had listed the church property for sale without telling anyone—the latest in a long string of alleged scandals, lies, secrets and financial missteps.
But on Sept. 22, Finch was back in the pulpit. And the pastors he’d tapped to replace him were gone, having announced their own resignations the previous Sunday.
Natasha:
What happened?
Warren:
In audio obtained by MinistryWatch, Finch addressed church members after the service to explain his return. He admitted that, behind closed doors, he had made a deal with the other pastors, Ralf Stores and Scott Burrell, that he would not relinquish his authority until the church agreed to a plan to fund his retirement, using profits from the future sale of the church.
Then, when the leadership offered Finch a payout amount, he refused to sign what he called “almost like blackmail,” because the contract required him to simultaneously surrender his authority rather than quit at a later time of his choosing.
Natasha:
Finch railed against the former board and pastors for suspecting him of attempting to secretly form a limited liability company to steal money from the sale of the church. Their treatment of him, he claimed, had helped push him out the door.
Warren:
He said, “I had had it, I am not the guy who ever even wanted to be a pastor, to be quite honest with you. I have been serving the Lord in this church for 30 years out of total obedience to God. I don’t need it. I didn’t want it. I don’t need it.”
As previously reported by MinistryWatch, those 30 years have been mired by a host of issues, such as soliciting funds for a new church building that was never built and keeping budget information and even the church by-laws hidden from his own team. Another scandal was Finch’s long struggle with a drug addiction he hid from his congregation even as he pushed the board to cover $50,000 of a luxury rehabilitation program—which he then quit without telling the church.
Natasha:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, parents devastated when their children cut off contact after getting involved in Network churches.
I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break…
Warren:
The Network is…well…a network of churches was started by Steve Morgan, a pastor who began his career as part of the Vineyard USA association of churches, but left that group to start The Network in 2006.
Until recently, the network had 26 member churches. Morgan is the lead pastor of Joshua Church in Austin, Texas. But a number of churches have recently left The Network, and that has generated scrutiny about Morgan and his organization.
Natasha:
And you’ve got a specific example of those concerns.
Warren,
Yes, we heard from one mother who says churches in The Network operate in a cult-like manner. Some of those behaviors resulted in her become estranged from her daughter and son-in-law.
This mother, Melanie, began searching online and found similar stories. She wanted to warn others, so Families Against Cults on Campus (FACC) was born and began creating content, including testimonials.
The YouTube channel has gotten tens of thousands of views.
By the way, we use only Melanie’s first name because she fears retribution.
Natasha:
An online forum, Leaving the Network, was created to “platform the stories of those who have left Steve Morgan’s Network of Churches and to create a public record of the inner workings and history of The Network.”
Warren:
The Leave the Network group has heard from many families who noticed rapid changes in loved ones who became involved in a Network church. Examples include drastic personality changes, loss of interest in hobbies, significant financial commitment to the church, abrupt priority shifts, Network gatherings prioritized over family celebrations, and increased control of their lives by Network leaders.
MinistryWatch reached out to Joshua Church in Austin where Steve Morgan is lead pastor to ask for comment, but we did not receive a reply before time of publication.
Natasha:
Next is the latest from Kanakuk Camps.
Warren:
“Protect Children. Support Survivors. Protest Pete Newman’s Parole!” are the opening lines readers will see when they click on the new website, protestpetesparole.com.
As the September 25 parole hearing for serial child sexual abuser Peter Newman approached, survivors and advocates call for support in urging the Missouri Department of Corrections Board and Parole to deny his possible release. Previously, survivors and advocates have urged concerned citizens to write letters to the parole board expressing their grievances regarding Newman’s crimes.
Natasha:
How is this website involved?
Warren:
This new website offers visitors a way to fill out an online form to submit their letters directly to the parole board. The form includes the option to submit an editable pre-loaded statement or follow a template to craft your own.
In addition to letter-writing, the website also links to a petition against Newman’s parole, which will be “submitted to the Missouri Parole Board as part of Newman’s hearing.”
Natasha:
How is his parole possible?
Warren:
Despite being sentenced to two life terms plus 30 years — a total of 90 years, with 30 counting for each life sentence — Newman is eligible for parole after serving just 15.
Natasha:
Now that the parole hearing has taken place, what can be expected next?
Warren:
After a hearing, the parole board typically takes eight to 12 weeks to come to a decision. If Newman’s parole is denied, he will be eligible for a reconsideration hearing every one to five years until a release date is established. The new website reminds viewers that all evidence from the Sept. 25 hearing can be used in future hearings, including contributions to the petition as supporters continue to sign.
Natasha:
Our next story has to do with helping Churches keep their buildings.
Warren:
As many as 100,000 church-owned buildings are expected to be sold or repurposed by 2030, according to an analysis by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
Though Sunday attendance has recovered in part from COVID-19 restrictions, a decades-long decline has continued to take its toll, and the squeeze on churches has only gotten tighter in the post-pandemic economy.
As a result, congregations face hard choices about what to do with large sacred structures that are underutilized, costly to keep up and suffering from deferred maintenance.
Natasha:
But a recent gathering of churches hopes to make a difference
Warren:
100 church leaders and congregants who gathered online and in person Friday and Saturday (Sept. 20-21) to hear from a lineup of real estate experts about how to reimagine a new future for church buildings. The Future of Church Property conference, organized by Princeton Theological Seminary, focused on turning community needs into grants, partnerships with developers and new business-driven income streams.
Natasha:
What were some of the take-aways from the conference?
Warren:
Congregations were urged to consider social enterprise, a term for using business principles to address social problems while generating revenue. Attendees heard about congregations that had escaped financial dire straits and galvanized new ministry momentum by leasing space to the public for community and commercial use.
The assembled church leaders were directed to resources such as the Good Futures Accelerator course from Rooted Good for other ideas on how to forward their missions while raising revenue.
Natasha:
And some churches have used their property to help with the housing crisis.
Warren:
Churches with land or buildings that can be developed into housing have huge opportunities in the current housing crisis. Take Arlington Presbyterian Church, for example, across the Potomac River from Washington, which built 173 affordable housing units, working with a nonprofit developer who pieced together $71 million in direct funding and tax breaks for the project from multiple sources.
The project not only allowed the congregation to keep a presence at its location, but it also spawned new energy for the congregation as it has mobilized to reach out to its new community and serve its needs.
Natasha:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
Pastor, author and radio personality Chuck Swindoll announced he will preach his final sermon as pastor in October.
Swindoll has been pastoring at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, since 1998.
Still, at almost 90 years old, Swindoll insists his age will not keep him from continuing to serve in other ministry-related capacities.
Swindoll will turn his attention to his broadcast ministry, Insight For Living, which he has led and preached with for over 45 years.
Jonathan Murphy, the former chair of Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary, will now serve as Stonebriar’s senior pastor.
Natasha:
What’s next?
Warren:
Sunday, September 22, marked the 19th anniversary of Pastor Steve Gaines’ leadership at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee. It also marked a new transition for one of America’s largest Southern Baptist churches—finding a new pastor to lead the 30,000-member congregation.
Gaines read a letter from the pulpit announcing his retirement. He said, “My race as senior pastor of Bellevue is coming to an end, but my commitment to you is to keep running with all my strength and effectively hand the baton to the next senior pastor,”
Gaines, 66, served Southern Baptist churches in Alabama and Texas before coming to the Memphis area of Tennessee to pastor Bellevue Baptist Church. Gaines served as SBC president from 2016 to 2018. He is also former president of the Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference.
Gaines assured them he is not leaving or retiring, but simply changing direction.
Gaines said he plans to travel more and minister at different churches as an itinerant preacher. Bellevue will remain his ministry’s home base. The couple also looks forward to spending more time with their four adult children and 18 grandchildren.
Natasha:
Next, More Americans are dying of opioid abuse, but fewer churches are serving those with opioid addictions
Warren:
A Lifeway Research study found Protestant pastors say their church is currently serving people with opioid addictions, but that support is primarily spiritual. Almost 3 in 4 (72%) offer spiritual support including prayer or discipleship. Fewer say they’re providing physical support including food, shelter or clothing (41%) or a 12-step program or other support groups for substance abuse (32%). Around 1 in 5 (21%) say they aren’t doing any of these, while 1% aren’t sure.
Statistically fewer churches today say they are offering spiritual support, down 10 percentage points from 82% in 2018, or substance abuse support groups, down 8 points from 40%.
Natasha:
And who is in our Ministry Spotlight this week?
Warren:
Avant Ministries, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, no longer makes its Form 990 public.
According to its Guidestar profile, the organization is now classified as a church.
Because it does not make its Form 990 or its audited financial statements public, Avant’s Donor Confidence Score is now a “Withhold Giving” designation of 36 with a D Transparency Grade.
According to limited financial information from its ECFA profile, Avant Ministries’ revenue was $26.9 million in 2023. Its total expenses were $25.4 million with $25.4 million in net assets.
The ministry’s website states it is “an interdenominational, multinational missionary sending organization that has focused on planting and developing churches in the unreached areas of the world since the 1890s.”
Natasha:
And who did we highlight in Ministries Making a Difference?
Warren:
On September 28, Elim Christian Services is hosting its annual Dutch Fest, complete with Dutch fare, wooden shoe dancers, reptile shows, petting zoo, train rides, and Elim’s Dutch Village shops. All proceeds go to Elim, which serves Illinois youth and adults with disabilities through its school and other programs. Elim also offers consulting services to schools who need expertise in special education. Elim Christian Services has 5 stars, an “A” transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of 100—the highest in each of MinistryWatch’s three database categories.
Five hundred and fifty kids participated in Miracle Hill Ministries’ Kids Ninja Challenge, running a ninja obstacle course to raise $140,000 for the South Carolina ministry. Miracle Hill provides the most comprehensive homeless services in the state. Other areas of service include children’s foster care program and an addiction recovery program. Miracle Hill Ministries has 4 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 90.
Natasha:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
8 Tales of Transformation
Webinar: October 24. Understanding MinistryWatch’s Rating System.
Natasha:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Jessica Eturralde, Tony Mator, Mallory Challis, G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Daniel Ritchie, Marci Seither, Aaron Earls, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell.
A special thanks to Baptist News Global for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
I’m Natasha Cowden, in Denver, Colorado.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
“Protect Children. Support Survivors. Protest Pete Newman’s Parole!” are the opening lines readers will see when they click on the new website, protestpetesparole.com.
As the September 25 parole hearing for serial child sexual abuser Peter Newman quickly approaches, survivors and advocates continue to call for support in urging the Missouri Department of Corrections Board and Parole to deny his possible release. Previously, survivors and advocates have urged concerned citizens to write letters to the parole board expressing their grievances regarding Newman’s crimes.
This new website reminds viewers of these instructions. It also offers viewers a way to fill out an online form to submit their letters directly to the parole board. The form includes the option to submit an editable pre-loaded statement or follow a template to craft your own.
In addition to letter-writing, the website also links to a petitionagainst Newman’s parole, which will be “submitted to the Missouri Parole Board as part of Newman’s hearing.”
Despite being sentenced to two life terms plus 30 years — a total of 90 years, with 30 counting for each life sentence — Newman is eligible for parole after serving just 15. This is the minimum portion of his sentence that must be completed, according to RSMo 217.690 which mandates that offenders serving multiple sentences totaling 45 or more years must complete at least 50% of one sentence before parole eligibility.
After a hearing, the parole board typically takes eight to 12 weeks to come to a decision. If Newman’s parole is denied, he will be eligible for a reconsideration hearing every one to five years until a release date is established. The new website reminds viewers that all evidence from the Sept. 25 hearing can be used in future hearings, including contributions to the petition as supporters continue to sign.
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.
In the event Newman were to be granted parole, he would go to an offender treatment program for “approximately 12 months of therapy and a Sex Offender Assessment Process,” designed to help offenders reintegrate into regular society and prevent recidivism, the website explains.
However, survivors and advocates note concerns regarding his ability to avoid returning to abuse.
According to Elizabeth Carlock Phillips’ statement, while the prosecution estimates Newman’s victim count to be in the hundreds, “clinical experts estimate (the count) to be between 2,000 and 5,000 due to the patterns of his perpetration, (his) amount of unfettered access and time with children year-round and the victim count known at sentencing.” She argues the impact of his crimes is far deeper than a simple felony charge, calling him a “murderer” who “butchered the souls of boys with his deceit and abuse, some even to their graves.”
Phillips’ submitted her statement on behalf of her late brother, Trey Carlock, who died by suicide due to the traumatic effects of his abuse by Newman. She says Trey was “silenced to his grave” by Newman’s abuse compounded by further civil litigations, which included a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
This article was originally published by Baptist News Global. It is reprinted with permission.
Giving is down among evangelical Christians, according to a new study by Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research.
The study—called The Giving Gap: Changes in Evangelical Generosity— found that 61% of evangelicals say they gave to their church in the last 12 months. That is down 13 percentage points from 2021 when 74% reported giving to their local congregation.
On today’s podcast, we unpack the results of that survey with one of its authors, Mark Driestadt. He’s the president of Infinity Concepts and someone I’ve come to know and respect over the past few years as one of the “wise men” in ministry fundraising, marketing and communications. Here’s our conversation, which we had via zoom last week.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.
On today’s program, the former president of Bible Society of India has been arrested for financial corruption related to his position at another ministry…raising questions about how he handled finances at the Bible Society. We’ll take a look.
And, an Illinois pastor has made it his mission to provide his community access to healthy food…by setting up a low-cost grocery store in a food desert.
Also, Alistair Begg announces his 20-25 retirement.
But first, Morningstar Fellowship Church in South Carolina is facing two more lawsuits that are alleging sexual abuse. Two more lawsuits have been filed against MorningStar Fellowship Church in Fort Mill, S.C., and its leaders for not reporting sexual abuse allegations to law enforcement.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Jessica Eturralde, Bethany Starin, Tony Mator, Aaron Earls, Brittany Smith, Christina Darnell—and you, Warren.
A special thanks to Lifeway Research for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, the former president of Bible Society of India has been arrested for financial corruption related to his position at another ministry…raising questions about how he handled finances at the Bible Society. We’ll take a look.
And, an Illinois pastor has made it his mission to provide his community access to healthy food…by setting up a low-cost grocery store in a food desert.
Also, Alistair Begg announces his 20-25 retirement.
Natasha:
But first, Morningstar Fellowship Church in South Carolina is facing two more lawsuits that are alleging sexual abuse.
Warren:
Two more lawsuits have been filed against MorningStar Fellowship Church in Fort Mill, S.C., and its leaders for not reporting sexual abuse allegations to law enforcement.
A previous lawsuit was filed on August 7 against MorningStar and its leaders alleging that Erickson Lee used his access to children through the church’s “Young Special Forces” program to groom and eventually abuse children in the church.
Lee was arrested in May on charges of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and on September 5 entered into an offered plea deal to serve nine years in prison, according to Randy Hood, attorney for the plaintiffs.
Natasha:
What are these new lawsuits?
Warren:
Two more alleged victims have come forward to seek accountability for their abuse from Morningstar Fellowship Church and its leaders.
All of the lawsuits have been filed anonymously by John Doe #1, John Doe #2, and John Doe #3 who are now over age 18, but were 13 years old when the alleged abuse began.
Leaders named in the lawsuit include Rick Joyner, David Yarns, and Erickson Lee’s father, Douglas Lee, who was the former head of security for the church.
“This is about accountability and responsibility,” Hood said. “Churches have to create policies and procedures to protect children. They need to monitor and supervise people who are over children.”
Natasha:
Because of previous allegations of sexual assault at MorningStar in the early 2000s, the lawsuits claim that Joyner, Yarns, and Lee knew of the risks and had a duty and opportunity to protect vulnerable children from being exploited and abused while participating in the youth programs at MorningStar.
Warren:
Instead, the lawsuit asserts, the leadership ignored “signs of provision of alcohol and pornography to minors and signs of sexual exploitation or abuse of minors by church staff, members, or volunteers.”
The claims against MorningStar and its leadership are for negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, civil conspiracy, and the intentional or reckless infliction of emotional distress.
Natasha:
Next, an official associated with the Bible Society of India was arrested for financial corruption.
Warren:
Last September, Anglican Bishop P.C. Singh, who served as the president of the Bible Society of India from 2019-2022, was arrested for criminal breach of trust, cheating, forging documents, and criminal conspiracy while transferring the government land given on lease to the Church of North India.
Singh is accused of selling land that didn’t belong to him for 30 million Rupees ($360,000) then keeping the money. He was later arrested again for money laundering charges. Singh was removed from leadership in the Church of North India in 2022.
Natasha:
How is that linked to the Bible Society?
Warren:
Rev. Chittranjan Polson, who served as auxiliary secretary for the Allahabad Auxiliary of the BSI, is uneasy about Singh’s former leadership role at BSI and whether he and his associate B.K. Patnaik might have been part of covering up financial irregularities Polson discovered while examining the auxiliary’s finances. According to social media posted by BSI, Singh was first elected as its president in 2019.
Polson brought these irregularities and concerns to the attention of the United Bible Societies (UBS) in July 2023. He reached out again in June of this year.
He says his service at the BSI auxiliary was terminated after he raised his concerns about the alleged corruption.
Natasha:
Did the United Bible Societies respond?
Warren:
After several requests over the course of a few weeks, UBS told MinistryWatch that “there has been no indication or evidence of financial misconduct involving BSI funds that would have triggered any internal reviews, either by the BSI or UBS…The BSI operates under a constitutionally established leadership structure, where the General Secretary, as Chief Executive Officer, is solely responsible for overseeing financial and administrative matters.”
UBS clarified that Singh’s position as president was honorary only with no financial authority at BSI but was removed from that position “after the controversy surrounding him became public,” which was in 2022.
Natasha:
Next up, a pastor has been sentenced for Fraud.
Warren:
A federal jury has sentenced Miracle Mansion CEO Michael Mandel Baldwin to two years of prison for using the mansion project to front an investment scheme.
On August 20, the jury sentenced Baldwin, 55, to 27 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on charges of wire and securities fraud.
Natasha:
Can you give us some background?
Warren:
In October 2021, authorities arrested Baldwin for allegedly swindling members of a Charlotte, N.C., church out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to the indictment, he used that money to fund his personal lifestyle.
Court records say that Baldwin deceitfully obtained over $740,000 from investors by promising to use their funds for the development of the Miracle Mansion, including purchasing land.
According to court records, Baldwin misled prospective investors and victims by claiming that high-ranking administrators at Chick-fil-A and Hobby Lobby, as well as The Kennedy Center, had approved and backed Miracle Mansion. High-ranking officials from Hobby Lobby and Chick-fil-A, on the other hand, testified during the trial that they were unaware of Baldwin and his idea and did not endorse it, refuting Baldwin’s allegations.
While operating as the Miracle Mansion’s CEO, Baldwin was working as the assistant pastor and musical director for Crossroads Baptist Church in Northern Virginia, where his brother is senior pastor and his father is the church’s founder and pastor emeritus.
Natasha:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, Heavenly Square Grocery fills a gap in an Illinois food desert.
I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break…
Warren:
When you walk into Heavenly Square Grocery in Danville, Illinois, you’ll notice three things: it’s clean, everyone is friendly, and the food is priced fairly.
Heavenly Grocery opened its doors this past spring, on May 1, in a part of Vermilion County that’s considered a food desert.
Pastor Thomas Miller, pastor of New Life Church of Faith, which owns the shopping center where Heavenly Square Grocery is located said “There are 11,000 people in a 2-mile radius of our location, and they have no access to healthy food,” “The purpose for this location was that we saw a big need to support the community.”
Natasha:
Timothy Meneely, medical director of Carle Medical Office Center at The Riverfront in Danville. Noted that Illinois has 102 counties and Vermilion County ranks at 100 in the state for health outcomes. This grocery store is trying to make it easier to access healthy food for those who need it most.
Warren:
In addition to the grocery store, there is now a community garden, a mobile market that drives through main sections of the county, and a kids program that educates about health and diet.
They even worked with distributors to get Heavenly Square Grocery re-zoned, so pricing was lowered appropriately for the area’s needs.
Once Heavenly Square Grocery is turning a profit, Miller said he plans to use those funds to open a restaurant or a laundry mat, something that provides support to the community.
Natasha:
Our next story involves a defamation case
Warren:
The Supreme Court of Texas heard oral arguments this week related to the case of plaintiff Jane Roe suing Southwestern Baptist Seminary and its former President Paige Patterson for defamation related to a sexual assault she reportedly suffered in 2015.
Roe claims Paige Patterson provided false and defamatory information about her in an attempt to “defend [his] reputation” that were then produced in three separate publications.
The case was filed in federal district court, but on appeal the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit certified two questions about Texas state law for the state’s highest civil appellate court to answer.
Natasha:
What are the questions?
Warren:
Can a person who supplies defamatory material for publication be liable for defamation?
If so, can a defamation plaintiff survive summary judgment by presenting evidence that a defendant was involved in preparing a defamatory publication, without identifying any specific statements made by the defendant?
Natasha:
What’s the background to this case?
Warren:
Roe was a student at Southwestern in 2015 when she claims to have reported an attack and rape on campus to then-President Paige Patterson. Issues about how Patterson’s comments about women and his handling of sexual assault charges eventually led to his termination as the seminary president.
There’s a lot more on this story and how the oral arguments and counterpoints to the two questions in our full story so I’d encourage you, if you’re interested to check it out on MinistryWatch.com
The Texas Supreme Court will send its opinion of these two questions to the Fifth Circuit for use in its review of the underlying federal case. The Texas Supreme Court will not decide the case on its merits.
Natasha:
Next, a southern California pastor has been arrested for child sex abuse.
Warren:
For three years, police in Ontario, California, had their sites on a local pastor suspected of child sexual assault, but lacked enough evidence to act.
Then in July, another alleged victim came forward.
On Sept. 5, police made their move, and as ChurchLeaders.com reports, 47-year-old Jose Alcides Vasquez was arrested at his home about 50 miles away in Menifee.
The eight charges against Vasquez include lewd and lascivious behavior with a child under 14, aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, oral copulation with a child under 16, and two counts each of oral copulation with a child under 10 and sodomy of a child under 10.
The abuses allegedly occurred at Vasquez’ former residence in Ontario, and police believe he may have other victims.
Vasquez surrendered without incident and is being held on $500,000 bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
Natasha:
Our next story has a similar theme.
Warren:
A Colorado Springs pastor MinistryWatch reported on a year ago has been sentenced and is serving time in prison.
Last September, investigators discovered that Jonathan Shaheen, 31, was exchanging explicit images of and with two underage girls—one 9 years old and the other 5 years old—through the girl’s mother, who was once his lover.
According to the arrest affidavit, Shaheen expressed interest in having sexual intercourse with the two children, as well as their mother, who texted the photos to Shaheen.
In 2022, police traced the texts to Shaheen while investigating the mother and her partner in New Mexico for exploiting children.
Natasha:
So what happened with that case:
Warren:
Judge Jill Brady sentenced Shaheen to two years in the Department of Corrections with a mandatory three-year parole upon release. He is not currently listed as a sex offender.
Natasha:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
Truth for Life radio Bible teacher Alistair Begg announced his retirement as senior pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio.
Begg, 72, broke the news to his congregation Sunday, Sept. 8, giving a projected end date of Sept. 14, 2025.
The Scottish-born evangelical, well known for his radio broadcasts syndicated on over 1,800 networks across North America, explained the early announcement is intended “to make it clear [it] is not precipitous.” He also said the advance notice will help his “ambition to pass the baton safely into the hands of my successor” and will give the church “time to adjust to the prospect of and to prepare in a timely way for what this transition will mean.”
Natasha:
What’s next?
Warren:
Like other Americans, pastors are deciding who they’ll vote for in the November election.
Compared to previous elections, however, they’re much more hesitant to share their preference.
Almost all U.S. Protestant pastors (97%) plan to vote in the 2024 presidential election, according to a Lifeway Research study conducted Aug. 8-Sept. 3, 2024. But almost a quarter (23%) refused to answer the question of whom they’ll cast their ballot for.
Natasha:
But that means three-quarters of them did answer. What did they say?
Warren:
Among those who plan to vote and shared their preference, 50% say former President Donald Trump is their choice, while a quarter (24%) back Vice President Kamala Harris and 23% are undecided. No third-party candidate garnered more than 1% support.
Self-identified evangelical pastors are more likely to vote for Trump (61%), while half of mainline Protestant pastors (50%) say they support Harris.
Half of U.S. Protestant pastors (50%) say they are either a registered member or consider themselves to be a part of the Republican party. One in 5 (18%) are Democrats, and 25% say they’re independent.
Natasha:
Next up is MinistryWatch’s August Index.
Warren:
The MinistryWatch Index inched up slightly in August but has remained mostly flat this summer.
That said, the less than 1 percent increase, to 156, represents a new record for the index, which tracks revenue for 38 of the largest Christian ministries in the nation. On August 1, the revenue of these ministries was $9.9 billion.
Though there was no growth during July, this number represents 10.6 percent year-to-date.
Though the organizations in the MinistryWatch Index have continued to grow this year, that growth significantly lags last year’s rise. In 2023 the Index grew 24.1 percent. The relatively slow growth of the MinistryWatch Index for 2024 could suggest concern about the future of the economy.
A recent survey conducted by MinistryWatch of ministry executives found that fundraising has now replaced finding and recruiting staff as their top leadership concern. This concern seems well-founded. A recent survey found that giving by evangelicals is down.
Natasha:
And who is in our Ministry Spotlight this week?
Warren:
Orange, a children’s ministry that develops curriculum for churches, saw its Ministry Watch Donor Confidence Score (DCS) drop to a 55 this week. That takes it out of the “Give With Confidence” category and lowers it to the “Give With Caution.”
The DCS is based on 20 questions about how a ministry operates. Questions are weighted, and answers help determine a ministry’s overall score. Orange lost DCS points, in part, because it is not a member of the ECFA and does not have “at least four independent board members for every non-independent member.”
Natasha:
Those are not the only reasons to exercise caution, are they?
Warren:
In addition, the ministry has been in the news this year due to sexual abuse allegations against its founder Reggie Joiner. Back in April, both Joiner and CEO Kristen Ivy resigned unexpectedly from the organization—with Ivy disclosing a past inappropriate relationship with Joiner. A month after the resignation, Ivy accused Joiner of “clergy sexual abuse.”
In 2023, the ministry had a revenue of $27.2 million and its total expenses were $28.5 million. According to its 990s, Orange has spent more than it has made three of the last five years.
In 2023, Reggie Joiner collected a salary of $462,292, and Kristen Ivy received a salary of $357,709. Its board chair, Joel Manby, was paid $93,465.
Natasha:
And who did we highlight in Ministries Making a Difference?
Warren:
Highland Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, has opened its Wellness Center to the community on Mondays as an urgent care. Volunteer medical professionals offer services free of charge to treat non-life-threatening conditions, regardless of whether or not patients have health insurance. The church’s Wellness Center also offers courses in finance, ESL, citizenship, and birthing classes.
The Sunset International Bible Institute’s Adventures in Missions (AIM) program has partnered with Ultimate Escape to provide counseling on sexual trauma for young adults training to become missionaries. Steve and Holly Holladay—both of whom were victims of sexual abuse themselves—started Ultimate Escape in 2004 to address addictive sexual behaviors in teens, but have since expanded the ministry to help people of all ages with an added focus on sexual trauma.
Two foundations and a corporation are investing in Water Mission to help launch a professional water utility in Uganda. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Stone Family Foundation, and Georg Fischer Corporation are collaborating to provide safe water access to rural communities in the country’s Luuka District, where just 9% of people have access to safely managed drinking water services. Water Mission has 4 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 100.
Ministries of Jesus raised $67,640 through its benefit golf scramble last month. MOJ provides holistic care to people in Oklahoma through medical care, dental clinics, licensed counseling, social services, and more. Ministries of Jesus has 5 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 98.
Natasha:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
8 Tales of Transformation
Webinar: Introduction to Intelligent Giving with Al Mueller of Excellence in Giving.
Natasha:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Jessica Eturralde, Bethany Starin, Tony Mator, Aaron Earls, Brittany Smith, Christina Darnell—and you, Warren.
A special thanks to Lifeway Research for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
I’m Natasha Cowden, in Denver, Colorado.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
The Supreme Court of Texas heard oral arguments this week related to the potentially precedent-setting case of plaintiff Jane Roe suing Southwestern Baptist Seminary and its former President Paige Patterson for defamation related to a sexual assault she reportedly suffered in 2015.
Roe claims Paige Patterson provided false and defamatory information about her in an attempt to “defend [his] reputation” that were then produced in three separate publications.
The case was filed in federal district court, but on appeal the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit certified two questions about Texas state law for the state’s highest civil appellate court to answer.
The questions facing the Texas Supreme Court are:
Roe was a student at Southwestern in 2015 when she claims to have reported an attack and rape on campus to then-President Paige Patterson. Issues about how Patterson’s comments about women and his handling of sexual assault charges eventually led to his termination as the seminary president, the court documents describe.
The claims of defamation arose out of a series of three publications — the “Untold Truth” article, a “Release of Facts” by Patterson’s attorney Shelby Sharpe, and a donor letter supporting Patterson’s reinstatement — that were designed to “control the narrative and defend Patterson’s reputation.” Allegedly, Patterson provided defamatory information about Roe that was included in the publications.
Roe says that statements claiming she lied about her rape, engaged in sexual activities in seminary buildings, and provided nude photos to the man who raped her are all false and defamatory.
The federal district court granted summary judgment to the defendants on the defamation claims. The Fifth Circuit accepted the case for review on appeal and posed the questions about state law to the Texas Supreme Court.
During the oral arguments, the plaintiff’s attorney argued for an affirmative answer to the first question concerning the liability of one supplying defamatory material for publication. Attorney Sheila Haddock said the question answers itself — that supplying or communicating defamatory material is equivalent to publishing it.
She went on to explain, in answer to a justice’s question, that a person is also liable for defamation if they could reasonably expect that his or her statements would be repeated or published.
Some of the justices pushed back on that argument, seeking to determine the limits of what would be reasonably foreseeable.
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.
The plaintiff also argued that they need not provide a “specific statement” made by the defendant, such as a word-for-word quotation or tape recording, but could provide evidence identifying the “substance and meaning” of the defamatory statement by the defendant.
In response to the reasonable foreseeability issue raised by the plaintiff, the defendant’s attorney Travis Jones argued that a person should only be liable for defamation if he is involved with or exercises some control over the publication of the defamatory material. He argued that even financially contributing to the publication of defamatory material might not be enough to make a person liable.
Jones also argued that the court should balance free speech concerns with the reputational impact of defamation upon the plaintiff. He encouraged the court to adopt a standard that the person being held liable must intend, authorize, or know the republication of the defamatory material would occur.
He also claimed the plaintiff did not present evidence that Patterson or agents under his control made defamatory statements that were then published.
In response to Jones’ claim that Roe did not present evidence that Patterson’s agents had participated in providing defamatory material, Haddock noted that Patterson’s chief of staff Scott Colter and his attorney were involved in writing two of the three defamatory publications.
She also pointed to a string of emails within two weeks of the donor letter’s publication that showed Colter’s engagement in developing the content of the letter.
The Texas Supreme Court will send its opinion of these two questions to the Fifth Circuit for use in its review of the underlying federal case. The Texas Supreme Court will not decide the case on its merits.
Here are some of the resources mentioned in today’s EXTRA episode:
On today’s program, Bethany Christian Services is suing Michigan for religious discrimination after the state denied its contracts to resettle refugee families. We’ll have details.
And, as we recognize another solemn anniversary of 9/11, we look at one ministry helping military heroes win the war back at home.
Plus, a new survey shows that giving to churches and charities is down—by a lot.
But first, China has closed its foreign adoption program, leaving families devastated. The decision announced on September 5 by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning brings the 30-year program to an end, with exceptions for international residents adopting blood relatives or stepchildren. The program officially ended August 28.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Bob Smietana, Kim Roberts, Bobby Ross Jr., Paul Clolery, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell.
A special thanks to Religion UnPlugged and The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, Bethany Christian Services is suing Michigan for religious discrimination after the state denied its contracts to resettle refugee families. We’ll have details.
And, as we recognize another solemn anniversary of 9/11, we look at one ministry helping military heroes win the war back at home.
Plus, a new survey shows that giving to churches and charities is down—by a lot. We’ll take a look.
Natasha:
But first, China has closed its foreign adoption program, leaving families devastated.
Warren:
The decision announced on September 5 by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning brings the 30-year program to an end, with exceptions for international residents adopting blood relatives or stepchildren. The program officially ended August 28.
Natasha:
What’s going to happen for families who were in the process of adopting?
Warren:
The State Department is “seeking written clarification from the [People’s Republic of China] authorities regarding the impact on intercountry adoption cases already in process and will maintain close communication with Adoption Service Providers and prospective adoptive parents.”
Lifeline Children’s Services, the largest evangelical adoption ministry in the U.S., had about 48 families who had been matched with Chinese children and were in shock and disbelief at the news.
Several of the families had met the children and spent time with them in their homes through a hosting program put on by Lifeline.
Joshua Zhong and Lily Nie, two Chinese immigrants who founded Cherish Children Adoption International (CCAI), the largest adoption agency for Chinese children said China’s program for international adoption was considered a model for the world with more transparency and less corruption than others. It had been praised by the United States government.
Natasha:
What’s going to happen to the orphans in China?
Warren:
Zhong doesn’t know whether they will receive the appropriate counseling, especially those who were expecting to be adopted.
The Chinese program is better equipped with resources than it was 30 years ago. CCAI will continue its charitable efforts, including childcare, foster care, medical services, educational funds, and disaster relief to help the thousands of abandoned children in China.
Natasha:
Next, Bethany Christian Services sues the state of Michigan.
Warren:
Bethany Christian Services has filed a federal lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Office of Global Michigan (OGM) for discriminating against it because of its religious hiring practices.
According to Bethany, the state denied its contracts to resettle refugee families and place unaccompanied minors in foster homes for the first time since it began contracting with the state in 1981.
In a press statement the group said, “By denying funding for Bethany’s refugee-resettlement services, Michigan officials are blocking critical social services to vulnerable children and families, and jeopardizing jobs at Bethany.
Natasha:
Warren:
But this year, the State of Michigan began denying contracts to Bethany. According to Bethany’s General Counsel Nhung Hurst, the state implemented a new requirement requiring organizations to hire people from all religions.
Hurst said contracts with Michigan dating back decades have never included this requirement and that no other organizations were affected by the new provision.
Natasha:
Why is Bethany affected?
Warren:
Bethany requires its employees to agree to its statement of faith, which is a restatement of the Apostles’ Creed, a summary of beliefs used by Christians around the world.
Hurst said, “Federal law is clear, and the courts have repeatedly affirmed that faith-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, like ours, can hire staff and select leaders who share the organization’s faith mission. Federal law affirms that Muslim nonprofits can hire Muslims; Jewish nonprofits can hire people of Jewish faith; and Christian nonprofits can hire Christians,”
Natasha:
And Bethany tried to find a resolution before filing this lawsuit.
Warren:
Bethany said it made 19 attempts to discuss the situation with the OGM and also prayed for a resolution. After they were unsuccessful, Bethany asked the federal court to intervene and enjoin the OGM from ending the existing contracts until a final resolution of its religious discrimination claims can be reached.
Natasha:
Speaking of lawsuits, our next story involves one filed by an 18-year-old.
Warren:
Another lawsuit against the leaders of Circle of Hope Girls Ranch and Boarding School alleging multiple instances of abuse was filed this week in federal court in Missouri, this time by the youngest person yet to take action.
The lawsuit is brought under the pseudonym Jane Doe DA, who is currently 18, against Stephanie and Boyd Householder and Circle of Hope. It also names Jeff Ables, the pastor at Berean Baptist Church in Springfield as a defendant.
Natasha:
Can you remind us what’s happened so far with Circle of Hope?
Warren:
The boarding school for troubled girls closed in September 2020 after former students and even the daughter of the school’s founders reported an atmosphere of abuse. Stephanie Householder’s felony trial for child abuse and neglect is currently scheduled for October 28. Boyd Householder died in June from cardiac arrest.
Natasha:
This new lawsuit contains some strong allegations.
Warren:
Jane Doe DA claims in the lawsuit that she was subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse in 2019 and 2020, starting when she was only 13 years old. She is seeking $75 million in damages.
The lawsuit contains allegations of sex trafficking, involuntarily servitude, and fraud. It claims Circle of Hope established a hierarchical system that allowed students to punish one another.
the court documents state that “She lived in fear for the entire time she was at Circle of Hope and suffers anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological issues to this day.”
Natasha:
Ables, a former board director for Circle of Hope, is named in the lawsuit for failing to report the abuse even after the Householder’s daughter, Amanda, directly reported it to him in 2008.
Warren:
Instead of reporting the alleged abuse to authorities, Ables is accused of telling the Householders about Amanda’s allegations for which she was punished.
Amanda Householder sued her parents in 2022, alleging they made her perform forced labor, beat her for their own sexual gratification, force-fed her until she vomited, and made her impose punishments on other students at the boarding school.
According to the lawsuit, Ables allegedly “hid children” at the church to prevent the Department of Family Services and Children’s Division from investigating complaints against Circle of Hope.
Ables has been the pastor at Berean Baptist Church since October 2000.
Natasha:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, a ministry helping military heroes with PTSD who are still fighting a war at home.
I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break, every day an estimated 22 U-S veterans die by suicide—SOF Missions is working to change that.
Warren:
Wednesday marked the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that propelled the United States into two decades of war.
A 20-year military veteran — first with the Marine Corps and later with the Air Force — Damon Friedman knows firsthand about the war’s long-lasting effects.
As he tells it, “The cost of the war on terror was paid by my wife and kids.”
After contemplating suicide, Friedman finally got the help he needed — body, mind and soul.
While still in the Air Force, he — along with his wife Dayna — started a faith-based nonprofit called SOF Missions. The SOF stands for “Shield of Faith.”
Natasha:
What does SOF Missions do?
Warren:
For a few years, SOF Missions focused on international mission work, such as medical clinics, food distributions and orphanages.
But in 2016, the Friedmans, who live in the Tampa area, changed the emphasis. Now SOF Missions exclusively helps veterans who — like Damon — struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and other challenges from military service.
Natasha:
So far, SOF Missions has raised about $10 million and helped more than 300 veterans through its intensive “Be Resilient” clinics and retreats.
Warren:
At those retreats, About 30 health care practitioners work with the veterans during their time in Florida — typically five-day visits — and then follow up after their return home.
Damon said of the approach. “We do head to toe, bumper to bumper — psychological, social, physical, cognitive, spiritual care,”
Natasha:
How does this tie in with 9/11?
Warren:
Retired Army Capt. John Arroyo, a 20-year military veteran, deployed twice to Afghanistan and once to Iraq. Said,“On 9/11, so many people joined the service because they wanted to fight for their nation,” “And so now, what SOF Missions is doing is helping them fight in their home — helping them get their mental health back, helping them get their physical health back — because they were willing to sacrifice.”
Natasha:
September is deaf awareness month, and MinistryWatch is highlighting the work of several ministries that are committed to bringing the Gospel to the deaf community.
Warren:
It is widely believed that out of the world’s population of between 150 and 250 million deaf persons, only 2% are professing Christians, making them one of the largest unreached people groups in the world.
According to Mark Lowenstein, Pioneer Bible Translators director of deaf programs, the challenges in reaching the deaf community are several: they are scattered, they are often looked down upon as cursed, parents often abandon them, and not many people make the effort to communicate with them in sign language. Additionally, there are at least 350 unique sign languages in the world.
So we wanted to feature a few ministries we think are worthy of support.
Natasha:
Who’s on the list?
Warren:
Deaf Bible Society’s mission is “to provide the Bible by video in the world’s many sign languages.” It says there is only one sign language with a full bible translation, but 15% have access to some portion of the Bible. Deaf Bible Society is involved in 78 translation projects and has created an online platform and app with sign language videos of Scripture. In the MinistryWatch database, Deaf Bible Society an A transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of 100.
We have others on the list, including some we think you should NOT give to because they are not transparent with their financial information. You can see our list at MinistryWatch.com
Natasha:
Next, scandal closes down a Canadian church.
Warren:
Leaders of The Meeting House, a Toronto area megachurch with multiple locations and once one of the largest congregations in Canada, has shut down its public ministry, becoming a consortium of smaller congregations.
“It is with sadness that we are required to bring the public-facing ministry of The Meeting House to an end as of August 29,” according to a statement posted on the church’s website.
Natasha:
What’s going to happen with their campuses?
Warren:
The church’s remote sites will be rebranded as the “BIC Church Collective,” a group of nine congregations that share preaching as well as back-office support. Details of the new collective, which is part of the Be In Christ denomination, were scant.
Natasha:
What was the catalyst for this change?
Warren:
The launch of the new collective comes as The Meeting House congregants continue to reckon with the fallout from abuse allegations against its former longtime pastor, Bruxy Cavey. In late 2021, Cavey was accused of sexual misconduct and resigned a few months later. A church investigation later alleged that his conduct had been abusive. The Meeting House also disclosed that an investigation found 38 cases of reported misconduct involving four pastors at the church.
In his 25 years of leadership, Cavey had grown The Meeting House, which was founded as Upper Oaks Community Church, into a congregation of more than 5,000 meetings in 19 satellite campuses and more than 200 home groups, according to The Walrus.
Cavey has admitted what he called moral failings but has denied committing any crime. “I don’t believe I failed legally,” he said in July after one of the charges against him was stayed.
The Meeting House still faces legal troubles despite the end of its public ministries. The church is facing several lawsuits filed in the wake of the abuse allegations.
Natasha:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
Giving is down among evangelical Christians, according to a new study by Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research.
The study—called The Giving Gap: Changes in Evangelical Generosity— found that 61% of evangelicals say they gave to their church in the last 12 months. That is down 13% from 2021 when 74% reported giving to their local congregation.
Additionally, fewer evangelical Christians are giving to Christian ministries or charities outside their church. In 2024, only 50% reported giving to a ministry, down from 58% in 2021.
According to the research, non-white donors are giving more to church and charities. Their generosity as a percentage of their income rose by 8%.
“Evangelicals of color have remained more steadfast in their church giving than have [w]hite evangelicals,” the report says.
Among the most generous givers, according to the study, are those who regularly read and study the Bible, pray, attend worship, and attend church small groups. They are about twice as likely to give to charity and three times as likely to give to church when compared with those who infrequently or never engage in spiritual activities.
Natasha:
And who is in our Ministry Spotlight this week?
Warren:
Eight Days of Hope (EDOH), a national disaster relief organization, saw a significant shift in its overall Ministry Watch efficiency rating this month, moving from 5 stars to 1 star.
The efficiency rating is based on three categories: fund acquisition, resource allocation and asset utilization.
The organization’s fund acquisition rating is 1 star, partly due to an increase in its fundraising costs. From 2022 to 2023, the organization’s fundraising cost ratio grew from 1% to 11%. The Relief and Development sector median is 6%.
EDOH also saw a sharp increase in the “General and Admin ratio” category, jumping from 1% to 16%, affecting its overall resource allocation rating.
In addition, from 2020 to 2023, the organization’s assets grew from $7.5 million to $11.8 million.
Natasha:
And who did we highlight in Ministries Making a Difference?
Warren:
Members of Rochester Church of Christ in Rochester, New York, have been handing out free coffee and prayer at their local weekend farmer’s market throughout the summer. With a covered table set under a tent, members prepare coffee for passersby and offer personal prayer. Volunteers do not accept donations, but share information on Sunday services if asked. They’ve prayed with people concerning general concerns, such as the election, as well as personal challenges, including a veteran struggling with PTSD.
International Mission Board and Wycliffe Bible Translators have collaborated with almost 100 organizations and churches to translate Bible stories into more than 75 new deaf languages around the world. Wycliffe Bible Translators has 4 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 88.
Africa New Life Ministries International was launched in 2001 in response to the devastation caused by the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Since then, Rwandan staff have worked to rebuild their community through holistic care, including education, vocational training, survivor counseling, and medical care. In 2023, 788 students graduated high school, 1,077 pastors and students were trained at the Africa College of Theology, 5.4 million meals were provided through schools and programs, and 72,901 patients received care at the Dream Medical Center Hospital. Africa New Life Ministries has 3 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 98.
Christian Community Action in Lewisville, Texas, was recently certified by the Best Christian Workplaces as “sharing a common commitment to workplace health and employee engagement.” CCA works to care for the poor in its community through three main areas—rescue, relief, and restoration. CCA has 2 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 85.
Natasha:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
8 Tales of Transformation
Webinar: Introduction to Intelligent Giving with Al Mueller of Excellence in Giving.
CORRECTION: I made a mistake on last week’s podcast that I’d like to correct. I said that Trinity International University is in Columbia, South Carolina. That was a mistake. Trinity International University is in Deerfield, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Apologies to Trinity International University, and to Columbia International University, which is in Columbia, South Carolina. And thanks to Ben Bradbury and other listeners who emailed me to graciously point out my mistake.
Natasha:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Bob Smietana, Kim Roberts, Bobby Ross Jr., Paul Clolery, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell.
A special thanks to Religion UnPlugged and The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
I’m Natasha Cowden, in Denver, Colorado.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
(RNS) — A group of evangelical broadcasters is suing the Internal Revenue Service over the Johnson Amendment, a tax law that bars nonprofits from supporting political candidates.
National Religious Broadcasters convention attendees await Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (RNS photo/Bob Smietana)
Lawyers for the National Religious Broadcasters, along with two Baptist churches and a conservative group called Intercessors for America, argue in their suit that the ban on engaging in politics restricts their freedom of speech and freedom of religion. They further argue that the IRS ignores the politicking of some charities, while threatening to punish others.
In particular, lawyers for the groups claim that newspapers and other news outlets that have become nonprofits in recent years, such as the Philadelphia Inquirer, endorse candidates. Why can’t churches or other Christian groups, they want to know, do the same?
“Plaintiffs believe that nonprofit newspapers have a clear constitutional right to make such endorsements or statements,” read the complaint filed Wednesday (Aug. 28) in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division. “Plaintiffs simply contend that they should also have the same freedom of speech.”
The lawsuit is the latest challenge to the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 law that has long been the bane of conservative groups and, in particular, preachers seeking to become more involved in politics. The ban on taking sides in campaigns — including endorsements or campaign contributions — applies to nonprofits that fall under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.
For years Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group, organized “pulpit freedom” Sundays designed to have preachers violate IRS rules by endorsing candidates from the pulpit. As president, Donald Trump signed an executive order designed to give more leeway under IRS rules.
The current lawsuit pitches its argument toward similar religious freedom principles. “For too long, churches have been instructed to remain silent on pressing matters of conscience and conviction during election season or risk their 501(c)(3) status,” said NRB President Troy A. Miller in a statement announcing the lawsuit.
But the growing number of nonprofit newsrooms has added a new twist to the arguments over the Johnson Amendment that has to do with fairness. Those newsrooms, the complaint argues, should be required to abide by the same rules as other charities.
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.
“Hundreds of newspapers are organized under § 501(c)(3), and yet many openly endorse political candidates,” lawyers for NRB and its co-plaintiff argued in their complaint. “Others make statements about political candidates that constitute forbidden statements under the IRS’ interpretation of the statutory prohibition against supporting or opposing candidates.”
The Institute for Nonprofit News, with about 450 member organizations, including RNS, does not accept members that endorse candidates.
“Nonprofit news organizations do not endorse candidates and, under IRS guidelines, should not favor any candidate for public office in coverage or other action,” the INN’s guidelines for members state.
Karen Rundlet, the CEO and executive director of the INN, told RNS in an email that grants made to nonprofits often bar those funds from being used for political activity.
The complaint points specifically to the Inquirer’s candidate endorsements, as well as articles critical of candidates in other nonprofit publications from 2012 to the present, claiming all violated IRS rules with impunity.
While nonprofit newspapers such as the Salt Lake Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times no longer make political endorsements, the Inquirer does, in part because it has a different ownership structure.
“The Philadelphia Inquirer is owned by the nonprofit Lenfest Institute for Journalism, but the newspaper remains a for-profit public-benefit corporation,” Jim Friedlich, CEO of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, told RNS in an email. “As a for-profit entity, The Philadelphia Inquirer is permitted to publish political endorsements, as it has for decades. It does so following thoughtful research on candidate policy positions, qualifications, integrity, and track record.”
In their complaint, lawyers for the NRB and its fellow plaintiffs said that, despite the Inquirer’s structure, dollars from a nonprofit are funding political endorsements.
A spokesman for the IRS declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. The NRB did not respond to a series of questions from RNS about the lawsuit.
Darryll K. Jones, a professor of law at Florida A&M University who blogs about nonprofit law, agrees that the IRS is allowing the Lenfest Institute to “have its cake and eat it too,” he said by email.
“Other exempt charities can farm out their political speech to subsidiary organizations without diminishing their tax-exempt efforts,” he said. “Churches cannot do so because farming out political activity necessarily diminishes or even precludes the accomplishment of the church’s tax-exempt and (oh, by the way) constitutionally protected effort.”
If the IRS refused to bite on ADF’s pulpit actions, said Jones, it is because the IRS likely knows the Johnson Amendment would not hold up on constitutional grounds. On their part, many nonprofits appreciate the rule, Jones said, because the restriction keeps them out of politics.
“They can say, look, we’re not going to be involved in that. We’re not going to be involved in politics. We are out here to do our charitable deeds, and we don’t want to be on one side or the other,” Jones said.
Jones believes courts are likely to dismiss most of the NRB’s claims, especially its due process and equal protection assertions, which he said obscure the main point of their lawsuit.
But, he said, “Once you get through all the unnecessary weeds, the complaint makes a legally irresistible argument, the logic of which can’t possibly be avoided.”
He added that politicking by nonprofits would likely have negative outcomes. “Everybody’s going to do it, and then there’ll be sort of a race to the bottom,” he said.
A 2019 survey from Pew Research found that Americans would prefer to keep religion and politics separate. Nearly two-thirds (63%) want houses of worship to stay out of politics, while three-quarters (76%) say churches and other congregations should not endorse candidates.
The NRB hosted Donald Trump at its annual convention in Nashville this past February, where the former president promised to return Christians to power if elected for a second term. Before Trump spoke, Miller told those in the audience that the group was hosting a presidential forum and that the speakers did not represent the official views of the NRB.
The former president appealed to religious broadcasters to join his side.
“If I get in, you’re going to be using that power at a level that you’ve never used before,” Trump told a gathering of National Religious Broadcasters at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
The podcast currently has 406 episodes available.
1,076 Listeners
2,881 Listeners
15,168 Listeners
8,284 Listeners
6,738 Listeners
4,136 Listeners
1,370 Listeners
916 Listeners
5,046 Listeners
669 Listeners
379 Listeners
822 Listeners
933 Listeners
365 Listeners
1,354 Listeners