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MinistryWatch PodcastEp. 477: Michael Tait, Southern Baptists Meet, Truett McConnell President SuspendedOn today’s program, Christian music artist Michael Tait admits to living a “double life” after accusations surfaced that he had sexually groomed and assaulted multiple young men over the course of a decade. We’ll take a look.
And, Southern Baptist abuse survivor died last week after a brief illness, sending shock waves through the community of abuse reform advocates. Before her death, she took part in a deposition, publicly revealing details of her abuse by an SBC leader. We’ll have details.
Plus, pro-Israel evangelical Johnnie Moore is named chair of a Gaza aid group.
But first, the trustees o...2025-06-1329 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 475: Sean Feucht, Doug Wilson’s Empire, Christianity Today, and Robert MorrisOn today’s program, ministry leader Sean Feucht is being accused of moral, ethical, and financial failure by former leaders of his various nonprofits. The accusers issued a formal statement this week detailing their accusations and are calling for an independent investigation.
And, with the construction of a new school campus, Pastor Doug Wilson’s empire continues to grow in Idaho. We’ll take a look.
Plus, Tim Dalrymple is leaving his role at Christianity Today to take the helm of the John Templeton Foundation.
But first, Robert Morris is pushing back on Gateway Church’s claims that they didn’t know the...2025-06-0632 min
Church & Culture PodcastCCP148: On When a Church ClosesIn this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss a recent Lifeway Research study which found that despite some disturbing trends in the number of church closures across the United States, 94% of pastors believe their church will still be open in 10 years. Whereas in the 1940s nearly 85% of Americans claimed they belonged to a church, now that number is less than 50%. So what happens to these churches when they close? And what is the outcome for pastors as well as those who considered it their church home?
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...2025-04-2531 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 445: Trump and NPO Resettlement Agencies, 50 Ministries Receiving Gov’t Funds, DOJ Intervenes In Behalf of ChurchesOn today’s program, the Trump administration cancels grants to refugee aid agencies…despite legal battles. We’ll take a look.
And, a staggering 30 percent of nonprofits don’t survive a full decade—but when they go under, what happens to their assets? Our finance writer Shannon Cuthrell digs into the hidden risks and loopholes of nonprofit dissolutions.
And, we’ve released our MinistryWatch list of the 50 Christian ministries receiving the largest government grants.
But first, the U-S Department of Justice has intervened on behalf of a Pennsylvania church trying to expand.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We ge...2025-03-0732 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 443: Ligonier Ministries, Elevation Church, Liberty University, and Church Planting in the Pacific NorthwestOn today’s program, Dr. Burk Parsons of Ligonier Ministries has been suspended from pastoral duties at St. Andrew’s Chapelwhere he is senior pastor. He is now under investigation by the Central Florida Presbytery. We’ll have details.
And, Elevation Church has fired its youth pastor amid allegations of sexual misconduct from a decade ago. We’ll take a look.
Also, after 16 months of wrangling and civil suits, Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania has officially left the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
But first, a former Liberty University employee is suing the school for discrimination and retaliation.
The producer for today’s...2025-02-2827 min
The Briefing with Albert MohlerWednesday, January 8, 2025This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.Part I (00:13 - 12:18)Sorry It Happened? : Azerbaijan Furious that Putin Refuses to Admit Russian Military Attacked Airliner on Christmas DayPart II (12:18 - 21:54)Biology is Not Bigotry—Amen: Prominent Evolutionary Scientist Causes Controversy by Denying a “Trans Woman” is a WomanFreedom from Religion Foundation dissolves honorary board in spat over trans issues by Religion News Service (Yonat Shimron)Biology is not bigotry by Freedom From Religion Foundation (Jerry Coyne)What is a woman? by Freethought Now (Kat Grant)P...2025-01-0825 min
ComplexifiedA Keffiyeh Conundrum: the Politics of Baby JesusA keffiyeh-wrapped Baby Jesus in nativity scenes, including one recently displayed at the Vatican, has sparked controversy and challenged traditional images of Christ’s birth. This provocative symbol brings attention to the political realities of modern-day Bethlehem and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, prompting deeper questions about the connections between faith, resistance, and justice.RNS Reporter Yonat Shimron joins us to probe the depth of meaning behind the symbols.2024-12-1322 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 384: Dave Ramsey, Andrew Wommack, Gordon CollegeOn today’s program, new life breathed into a lawsuit against Dave Ramsey’s company. A former employee claims he was fired for not sharing Ramsey’s religious beliefs on how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll take a look at the court’s latest ruling in the case.
And, a Southern Baptist pastor in Florida faces a minimum sentence of life in prison without parole over harrowing child abuse allegations—but new state laws also mean the death penalty is on the table.
Also, Andrew Wommack announces plans to pass the baton to new leadership at Charis Bible College in C...2024-08-1626 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 381: Clint Pressley, Pastors and Politics,and Vineyard AnaheimOn today’s program, after a slew of controversies, Southern Baptists chose a low-key leader. We take a closer look at new SBC President Clint Pressley. And, Pastors and politics—legally, what are churches and other Christian nonprofits allowed to do when it comes to this year’s presidential campaign?
We also highlight the results are in from our summer survey of top ministry executives. They tell us their biggest challenges—and hopes for the future.
But first, a former youth volunteer for Vineyard Church in Anaheim, California, has been sentenced to more than 120 years in prison.
The producer for today’s...2024-08-0927 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 379: Liberty University, Steven Furtick, Robert Morris, and MoreOn today’s program, Liberty University reaches a settlement with former president Jerry Falwell Jr. after years of back-and-forth lawsuits between the two parties. Now, they say they are putting the past behind them. We’ll have details.
A small university in North Carolina is beating the odds…while other Christian colleges face closure, this school is thriving. We take a look at what they’re doing.
Also, Steven Furtick’s Elevation Church released its annual report—the Charlotte-area church saw revenue of more than $108-million in 2023.
The leadership at Gateway Church continues its shakeup following revelations that its founding pastor Rober...2024-08-0229 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 363: SBC’s Abuse Reform Task Force, The UMC and Same-Sex Weddings, and Kanakuk KampsOn today’s program, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Abuse Reform Task Force will be ending next week…without any names on its website of pastors credibly accused of abuse…and with no clear path forward. We’ll take a look.
And, Salem Media Group pulls Dinesh D’Souza’s movie ‘2000 Mules’ from all its streaming platforms. We’ll have details.
Plus, a Texas United Methodist megachurch announces it will continue to NOT host same-sex weddings at its facilities. This, despite the denomination’s ruling last month that lifted the ban on LGBTQ clergy and weddings.
But first, another former Kanakuk Kamp staffer h...2024-06-0730 min
The Briefing with Albert MohlerTuesday, May 7, 2024This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.Part I (00:13 - 12:51)‘I Didn’t Go to School Carrying a Tent’: Campuses Face Blowback from Donors after Protests and Divestment AttemptsDear Columbia Students, Divestment From Israel Won’t Work by The Wall Street Journal (James Mackintosh)Billionaire Donor Assails Brown’s ‘Unconscionable’ Deal With Protesters by The New York Times (Rob Copeland)Part II (12:51 - 18:58)Trust Me, You’re a Long Way from the Gulag: Privileged Activist Upset for Being Treated Less Than Privileged as a Disruptor on Columbia’s Campu...2024-05-0725 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 353: United Methodist Church Approves LGBTQ Clergy, Wayne Grudem Retires, Metaxas and Feucht Hit ManhattanOn today’s program, the top legislative body of the United Methodist Church gathered in Charlotte, N.C., this week for its long-awaited General Conference. There, delegates cast decisive votes on issues of gender and sexuality. We’ll have details.
And, an Ohio church is under fire AGAIN for opening its doors to shelter the homeless. We’ll take a look.
Also, Wayne Grudem, bestselling author of ‘Systematic Theology,’ is stepping away from academia after teaching for almost 50 years. That story later in the program.
But first, evangelical activists gathered followers together at Columbia University last week to show support for Israel...2024-05-0324 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 327: Samaritan Ministries, Alistair Begg, United Methodist Final Tally of DisaffiliationsOn today’s program, one of the big healthcare sharing ministries is suing New Mexico. We’ll have details. Plus, popular pastor Alistair Begg—whose radio program was dropped by American Family Radio last week—is standing by his advice about attending an LGBTQ wedding. We’ll explain. And, the deadline for churches to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church has passed…and the results are in. We’ll look at how many congregations have left.
We begin today with news that a Texas dad has sued the Assemblies of God denomination, its North Texas District, and its college ministry Chi Alpha, for n...2024-02-0229 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 293: United Methodists, The AG’s Response to Chi Alpha Scandal, Christian College Growth, and Mildly Good News For The SBCOn today’s program, a Methodist nonprofit in New Jersey is embroiled in a religious liberty battle with local government over beach access. We’ll have details. Also, an Assemblies of God pastor speaks out against Chi Alpha, the denomination’s college campus ministry that’s currently knee deep in a sexual abuse scandal. And, a new study shows that Southern Baptist churches are growing in the Northeast…but does it tell the whole story?
We begin today with positive news — 11 evangelical colleges across the country have announced record enrollment this fall.
Most of you will be listening to this on Friday or...2023-09-2924 min
The Briefing with Albert MohlerThursday, September 28, 2023This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.Part I (00:13 - 09:40)A Strange Divide in Mainline Protestantism: PRRI Survey Shows Liberal Church Members Are Much More Conservative Than Their ClergySurvey: Mainline clergy are more liberal than their congregants by Religion News Service (Yonat Shimron)Part II (09:40 - 20:46)Gone by 2030? 2040? — Pulling Back the Curtain on the Fastest Declining Churches in the UKInside the fastest growing – and shrinking – churches in the UK by The Spectator (Dan Hitchens)Part III (20:46 - 27:20)Democrats Are Getting Over Senator Menendez: A Sala...2023-09-2827 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 291: Liberty University, The SBC’s Leadership Meets, Andy Stanley, and World Vision Answers Sen. GrassleyOn today’s program, new conflicts between Liberty University and Jerry Falwell, Jr. Now his brother Jonathan Falwell is in the mix. Andy Stanley, the pastor of Northpoint Church in Atlanta, is facing criticism for hosting a conference that many observers say affirms homosexuality.
Plus, the Episcopal Church continues its decades-long decline, we’ll have facts and numbers. And the Southern Baptist’s leaders met last week in Nashville, and – well – things are still a mess. We’ll have a report.
We begin today with news that Sen. Chuck Grassley wants to investigate the Christian ministry World Vision.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
It’s a new m...2023-09-2230 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 289: SING Global Conference, Turning Point USA, and Aiding Morocco’s Earthquake VictimsOn today’s program, a former executive at the American Family Association is suing for alleged sexual harassment. We’ll have details. Also, an annual conference founded by the hymn-writing duo Keith and Kristyn Getty pushes back on the spread of megachurch music. We’ll take a look. And tips for Christians wanting to give to disaster relief ministries providing aid in Morocco following a devastating earthquake last week. We include a list of ministries with high ratings in the MinistryWatch database.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
It’s a new month, and we have a new gift for donors. This month, we’ll be send...2023-09-1530 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 275: International Justice Mission, David C. Cook, Matt Redman, and Remembering Salem Media’s Stu Epperson Sr.On today’s program, we discuss a BBC investigation that calls into question some of the so-called child “rescues” in West Africa initiated by the International Justice Mission. Also, financial troubles continue to plague Christian publisher David C. Cook. We’ll have details. And we’ll take a look at the latest state measures that could undermine donor privacy.
We begin today with news of popular worship leader Matt Redman. He took to social media last week, saying that he and his wife had both suffered what he called “harmful behavior and mistreatment” by UK pastor Mike Pilavachi.
Final Thoughts: Just a reminde...2023-07-2126 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 265: Assemblies of God Ministry Under Scrutiny, Christian Adoption Agency Gets Big Win, and More PPP FraudOn today’s program, a Christian college group, Chi Alpha, which is associated with the Assemblies of God and operates on 60 campuses, is under scrutiny because some of its leaders sexually abused students. We’ll have important details.
And a Christian adoption agency in New York has won important religious liberty protections that will allow it to continue to place children only in families with one-man, one-woman marriages.
We begin today with a strange story from right here in North Carolina. Southern Baptists have been dogged by leadership scandals for years. Now they have a different kind of abuse scandal on t...2023-06-0222 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 262: Florida Baptists Defrauded of $700-k, Carl Lentz is Back, and Saddleback Appeals Disfellowshipping by SBCOn today’s program, the Florida Baptist State Convention has been defrauded of more than $700-thousand. We’ll explain how the fraud worked, and how you can keep your church or ministry from becoming a victim.
Former Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz is back in the news, and is soon coming to a television near you.
And we look at a group of Christian ministries in Nebraska who are withdrawing from the local community foundation over the foundation’s requirements to affirm LGBTQ rights.
We begin today with a pair of stories related to Rick Warren and California’s influential Saddleback Church.
...2023-05-1924 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 259: T.D. Jakes, John Ankerberg, And Christians Re-Think The TitheOn today’s program, Dallas megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes launches a billion dollar community redevelopment project. We’ll have details. And a former executive at Southeastern University in Florida pleads guilty to fraud. We’ll explain how the complicated fraud occurred.
Also, a new survey by Lifeway Research indicates that Christians’ views on tithing are shifting. We’ll have details from that study.
We begin today with news that popular Christian apologist John Ankerberg has been suspended from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
The producers for today’s program are Rich Roszel and Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other techni...2023-05-0528 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 249: The King’s College, Johnny Hunt Sues the SBC, and the Richest Preacher in Nigeria Comes To The U.S.On today’s program, we take a look at a Nigerian Prosperity Gospel preacher whose church, called the Winner’s Chapel, now has locations in 30 US cities. We also have new information about The King’s College, the Manhattan Christian college facing a financial crisis. And a well known Christian filmmaker has pled guilty to felony sex charges. We’ll have details.
We begin today with two stories about the Southern Baptist Convention. The first one is about former SBC President Johnny Hunt, and the second one is about Karen Swallow Prior.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I want our listeners to know that if the...2023-03-2429 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 241: Asbury Revival and Christian Ministries In Ukraine, Turkey, SyriaOn today’s program, we’re coming up on the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We’ve got an update on what Christian ministries have been doing to relieve the suffering. And the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have now claimed more than 45,000 lives. We’ll have an update on relief efforts and how you can help.
We begin today with a story that’s been Christian social media for the past week or more, and that’s the Asbury Revival.
Here are some links I mentioned on today’s program:
The MinistryWatch 1000 Database
Explaining Our Five-Star Financial Efficie...2023-02-1724 min
Respecting ReligionAccusations of religious bias on campus and in CongressAccusations of antisemitism and Islamophobia tend to spark and exacerbate divisions in our world. Amanda and Holly discuss two recent controversies that featured accusations of religious bias: The removal of Rep. Ilhan Omar from a congressional committee and a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad shown in an art history class. They look at the under-discussed parts of these controversies, implications for the future, and how we balance the right to religious belief and expression with respect for others’ beliefs. SHOW NOTES Segment 1 (starting at 00:55): A vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar from a con...2023-02-0937 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 231: The IRS’s Form 990 Backlog, More United Methodist Departures, and Remembering Jack HayfordOn today’s program, one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country, and the largest in South Carolina, is preparing to leave the denomination. And the Internal Revenue Service is far behind in its efforts to process Form 990s. This backlog is a blow to transparency and accountability. We’ll explain why. And we remember pastor, author, and hymn writer Jack Hayford, who died last week at age 88. We begin today with former Celebration Church pastor Stovall Weems. He and his wife Kerri have settled with First Citizens Bank after a claim stating they defaulted over $700,000 in unpaid debt.
A fe...2023-01-1326 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 222: Greg Locke Banned From Twitter, and Children’s Hunger Fund Sees Explosive GrowthOn today’s program, Tennessee pastor and MAGA celebrity Greg Locke has been banned from YouTube. We asked why. Charis Bible College, founded by prosperity gospel preacher Andrew Wommack, was rocked this week by a murder-suicide. We’ll have details. We also take a look at the explosive growth of a ministry called Children’s Hunger Fund.
We begin today with an influential Hispanic pastor under investigation for violating wage and hour laws.
A big thank you to the folks who showed up earlier this week for a dinner I hosted with MinistryWatch supporters in Newport Beach, California. And I’ll be having...2022-11-1824 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 218: Franklin Graham, Anglican Bishop Reinstated, Preventing Elder FraudOn today’s program, when the economy falters, we often see financial fraud emerge. Today we have a couple of stories about financial fraud, and some advice about what you can do to prevent elder fraud. Also on today’s program: An Anglican bishop is returning from a voluntary leave of absence in the aftermath of a sex abuse and spiritual abuse scandal, and not everyone is happy about his return.
We begin today with the resolution of a two-year long dispute. On Monday (October 24), a Scottish court ruled in favor of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in a lawsuit...2022-10-2827 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 214: Hot Youth Pastors, Pastor Arrested For Capitol Riot Involvement, and MinistryWatch Changes Financial Efficiency FormulaOn today’s program, we examine a ministry called Pre-Born!, which has grown dramatically over the past three years. We’ll tell you why. Also on today’s program, another pastor has been charged with felonies for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. We’ll have details. We begin today with the strange story of a youth pastor whose lapse in judgment has garnered national attention.
A reminder that I’ll be hosting a lunch for MinistryWatch friends in Charlotte on October 26, and I’ll be in Newport Beach, California, on November 15. If you live in those cities...2022-10-1418 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 210: Bible Translation, “Respect for Marriage Act,” and Samaritan’s Purse Hits $1-BillionOn today’s program, we take a look at the Bible translation industry. We ask the question: How much does it really cost to translate the Bible. We also look at a milestone for the Christian ministry Samaritan’s Purse. It will hit $1-billion in revenue this year. And one of evangelicalism’s flagship seminaries, Fuller Seminary, has the first African American president in its history. We’ll have details. We begin today with news that 2,000 churches and Christian ministries have asked the U.S. Senate to oppose the “Respect For Marriage Act.”
A Reminder: if you make a donation to MinistryWatch duri...2022-09-1623 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 206: Liberty University, The United Methodists Continue To Splinter, and A Close Look At Kenneth CopelandOn today’s program, Liberty University is receiving complaints from veterans who use the school’s online program as part of their GI Bill benefits. We also have the latest in the slow-moving schism in the United Methodist Church. Plus, a look at Prosperity Gospel preacher Kenneth Copeland. He’s in the Ministry Spotlight. We begin today with something you don’t hear Christian leaders do too much these days, and that’s apologize. That apology came from Andy Wood. Wood was named as Rick Warren’s successor at Saddleback Church after Warren retires. He has apologized for inviting Mark Driscoll to speak a...2022-08-2619 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 204: Harold Camping and Family Radio, Hillsong, the United Methodist Church, and the Feds Investigate the SBCOn today’s program, in the 1990s and 2000s, radio preacher Harold Camping wrongly predicted the return of Jesus. The ministry he founded has spent the last decade recovering. We’ll have an update. And the Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the Southern Baptist Convention. We’ll have the latest. We begin today with a lawsuit against Hillsong Church by one of its key employees. The lawsuit says the church misled donors and evaded taxes.
Before we go, a reminder: If you make a donation to MinistryWatch during the month of August, you’ll receive a free one-year subscr...2022-08-1924 minMinistryWatch PodcastEp. 193: Southern Baptists Meet, Seattle Pacific Fractures, and One of the Nation’s Largest Methodist Churches DepartsOn today’s program, Seattle Pacific University is struggling with issues of human sexuality. A three judge panel in Colorado ruled against a Christian school’s ability to hire and fire teachers based on belief. And the United Methodist Church has settled a dispute with one of the largest churches in its denomination. The church gets to leave and keep its building, but it will pay millions to the denomination. We begin today with news from the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, which took place this week in Anaheim, California.
A reminder: our fiscal year ends on June 30, at the end of...2022-06-1727 minRespecting ReligionReviewing the Biden administration’s first year in religious libertyIt’s been one year since President Joe Biden took office. What have we seen from his administration in regards to religious liberty? From executive actions to court cases to appointments, Amanda and Holly take a look at this administration’s actions that impact faith freedom for all. In segment three, they talk about how President Biden has continued to practice his private faith in a very public role over the past year. SHOW NOTES: Segment one: Setting the tone: Executive orders, court cases, and legislation (starting at 01:14) Amanda and Holly previewed the incomi...2022-01-2039 min
Impolite Company"Welcome to our world, Tim Keller"In this episode, we discuss the unfamiliar sight of a world leader admitting a mistake, apologizing, and asking forgiveness--as Pope Francis has after initially backing a Chilean bishop accused of protecting sexually-abusive priests.
We also talk about the debate over Mike Pompeo's nomination for Secretary of State, which is strongly opposed not only by Democratic senators but also leading Muslim and Jewish groups. Pompeo's supporters claim that any criticism of his anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ remarks is actually criticism of his faith. That's a move we've seen time and again from religious conservatives in politics.
And finally...2018-04-2353 min