MinistryWatch Podcast

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: 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? 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: A recent defense of public schools appeared in Christianity Today, written by Stefani McDade, the magazine’s theology editor. She cited popular writer and speaker Jen Wilkin, who has made faith-led arguments in favor of public education. Here at MinistryWatch, we take an active interest in Christian education. We include Christian schools and colleges in our database. We think they are vital institutions, with the power to advance God’s kingdom and the mission of the church.

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: In 2023, Bethany reported helping over 600 refugees and immigrants and placed around 300 unaccompanied minor refugees in foster families in the state. 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.

Here are some resources mentioned in this podcast episode: For a written version of this commentary, click here. Click here for my reporting on the Lakeland Outpouring for WORLD. I investigated more than a dozen so-called “miracles” here. Click here to read more about spiritual abuse. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, Morningstar Ministries is undergoing a leadership shakeup…after its CEO resigned, allegations of sexual misconduct began to arise. We’ll have details. And, many Christian colleges have fallen on hard times. But a Christian university in Georgia has been trying out new ways to grow enrollment…and it appears to be working. We’ll take a look. Plus, Trinity International University is on the look out for a new president….just six months after its current president took the reins. But first, the National Religious Broadcasters is suing the IRS over the Johnson Amendment. 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, Chris Moon, Tony Mator, and Brittany Smith. A special thanks to the Christian Standard 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, Morningstar Ministries is undergoing a leadership shakeup…after its CEO resigned, allegations of sexual misconduct began to arise. We’ll have details. And, many Christian colleges have fallen on hard times. But a Christian university in Georgia has been trying out new ways to grow enrollment…and it appears to be working. We’ll take a look. Plus, Trinity International University is on the look out for a new president….just six months after its current president took the reins. Natasha: But first, the National Religious Broadcasters is suing the I-R-S over the Johnson Amendment.. Warren: 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. 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. Natasha: Do they have examples to support their claim? Warren: 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? Natasha: 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.  Warren: The current lawsuit pitches its argument toward religious freedom principles. 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. 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. 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. Natasha: Next, the president of MorningStar Ministries, a prominent charismatic ministry just outside of Charlotte, has resigned. Warren: Chris Reed, president and CEO of MorningStar Ministries in Fort Mill, S.C., tendered his resignation last week because he “didn’t want to be leading the ministry in a case against four victims who were abused as children by a volunteer.” A lawsuit filed in South Carolina state court on August 7 alleges that Morningstar Fellowship Church created a youth program involving overnight events and campouts and allowed Erickson Lee, a relative of one of the church youth program leaders, access to minor males who he allegedly sexually exploited and abused. Natasha: Reed said that resigning was a tough and painful choice, but that it was “not a fight [he] wanted to fight.” Warren: But after his resignation came reports of alleged sexual misconduct by Reed in 2021 when he was preparing to become leader of MorningStar Ministries. Reed, who is married and has six children, admitted to sending “terrible texts” and kissing another woman, but that “there was no sexual encounter.” According to the woman, Reed initiated contact with her in November 2021 through private Facebook messages. He gave her his personal cell number, which led to texting and meetups in Reed’s van. Natasha: What’s going to happen with MorningStar now? Warren: In the wake of Reed’s resignation, Rick Joyner, who founded MorningStar Ministries, is taking over as CEO and president. He said in a statement to the congregation on September 1 that Reed’s resignation came as a shock. Joyner also confirmed that he and the board of MorningStar were told about Reed’s “transgression” at the time of his elevation to leadership. He said both the woman and Reed admitted to wrongdoing, but both said there was no physical contact. The board believed Reed and “put [him] in a restoration process” for about 18 months before he took the leadership role permanently. Natasha: This is not the first time that Morningstar Ministries has been embroiled in controversy. Warren: Ad lib. Natasha: Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, Point University continues to see growing enrollment as other Christian colleges and universities struggle to stay afloat. What is their strategy and how is it working? 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, Point University is growing its enrollment through employer ‘subscription’ program. Warren: The college in West Point, Ga., has seen its total enrollment grow to roughly 2,400 students. Half of those students are part of Point’s “Elevate” program, which enables employers to pay a flat, monthly subscription fee to enable their workers to take online classes at Point for free. Point’s total enrollment two years ago stood at about 1,500. Today, the Elevate program is the largest student program at Point University — followed by its dual-credit and traditional, on-campus programs. Natasha: How did they develop this program? Warren: Point University started its subscription program in the fall of 2022 with deals in place for 262 Chick-fil-A franchise owners in 38 states. The plan enticed more than 700 Chick-fil-A employees to enroll during the first six months of the program. Students only had to pay for books and seek any federal grants for which they might qualify. Point now has subscription agreements in place with multiple construction companies, including one with more than 500 employees. The program also is serving smaller telecom and broadband companies, as well as other employers. Right now, Point has about 340 business contracts in place. Students have come to Point from 40 states through the program. Natasha: Other than chick-fil-a what kind of companies enroll? Warren: Participating companies mostly are in blue-collar industries and are privately-owned firms with 25 to 400 employees. Subscription rates can range from $6,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on the size of the company and the demographics of its workforce. Among other things, Point considers the percentage of a company’s workers who don’t have college degrees. Natasha: Next, a Pastor has been Sentenced for paycheck protection program Loan Fraud and Money Laundering Warren: The pastor of Kingdom Tabernacle of Restoration Ministries in Washington, D.C., will serve 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. Rudolph Brooks Jr. fraudulently obtained $3.5 million in Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans and then used the funds on personal expenses, including a 2018 Tesla Model 3 and property in Maryland. Natasha: How was he discovered? Warren: Brooks was arrested in April 2021 after law enforcement determined he diverted a $1.5-million PPP loan he had obtained for a business named Cars Direct for his personal expenses. He also obtained other loans, including $1.8 million for Kingdom Tabernacle of Restoration Ministries and $200,000 for Madaro, LLC. To obtain the loans, Brooks inflated employee numbers and average monthly payroll expenses on the loan applications. Brooks was the sole signatory on each of the accounts where the loan money was deposited. Natasha: Our next story also covers fraud. Warren: The treasurer of a church’s charitable foundation pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. He was sentenced to more than seven years in prison last week, and ordered to pay restitution of over $1.7 million to various victims. Thomas Calhoun Bain, a self-described stock trader, admitted that over the course of about six years when he had access to and authority over the charitable foundation’s bank accounts, he represented to the foundation that another entity (Entity B) engaged in gospel initiatives in keeping with the foundation’s mission. The federal court documents did not name the church, charitable foundation, or Entity B; Bain lived in Dallas, Texas. Natasha: Because of Bain’s misrepresentations about Entity B, the foundation authorized 15 large monetary donations to it. Warren: Bain then misled Entity B into believing it should transfer the funds to his account for distribution to various charities. Bain fraudulently obtained $1.4 million from the charitable foundation, none of which was used to support gospel-based initiatives. Bain also admitted to defrauding investors from 2010 to 2022 through his company BainTrade. He represented himself as a “trader,” although he had no professional licenses, certification, training, or specific educational background in investing. Instead of real investments, Bain engaged in a Ponzi-type scheme, using new investor funds to make distribution payments to prior investors. He also used these funds toward his lifestyle expenses to imitate the appearance of a wealthy and successful “trader.” 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: Just six months after beginning his tenure as the 17th president of Trinity International University, Kevin Kompelien announced the presidential seat is back on the market—a development he says was planned from the start. In a public address posted Aug. 30 on TIU’s website, Kompelien explained that his intent to retire in the summer of 2025 carried over from his previous role as head of the Evangelical Free Church of America, TIU’s denominational affiliation. Kompelien said. “When the TIU Board of Regents asked the EFCA Board of Directors to release me to serve as president of Trinity, it was with the understanding that my availability to serve either the EFCA or TIU in a full-time capacity was limited by my plans to retire in the summer of 2025,” “Since that transition in March, I have been clear about my personal plans and timeline with EFCA leaders, TEDS faculty and staff, and students.” The next president will be TIU’s fifth since 2009, when Craig Williford was hired after the seat stood vacant for a time following the resignation of Greg Waybright, who served from 1995 to 2007. In June this year, Waybright was honored with the title of president emeritus. Natasha: Speaking of Christian colleges, we have our updated list of the 50 Largest Christian Colleges and Universities in the U-S. Warren: We do. This list is compiled from the most recent data available from the Internal Revenue Service, which in all cases means we used 2023 data. They are ranked by total revenue, and not by effectiveness, financial efficiency, or any other measure.  That said, the Financial Efficiency rating and the Transparency Grade of the ministries are listed. We also listed the 2023 rank of each college. Natasha: Was there a lot of movement on the list? Warren: This list is usually fairly static from year to year. Indeed, the first six colleges remain unchanged from last year’s list. Grand Canyon University kept the top spot, narrowly topping Liberty University. There were no additions to the top 10 colleges, though Hillsdale moved from #8 to #7 and Samford fell from #7 to #10. Natasha: But there were a few changes farther down the list. Warren: There were. Here are a few other significant changes: Grove City College jumped from #47 to #38. This was the biggest jump on this year’s list. Moody Bible Institute registered the biggest decline, falling from #11 to #40. Dordt University made the Top 50 list for the first time, entering the list at #49. Hardin-Simmons saw a revenue decline of $12 million and fell off the list. Other colleges that made significant upward moves include Palm Beach Atlantic (25 to 20), Dallas Baptist (32 to 24), and Taylor University (39 to 33). Colleges with significant drops in their rankings include Bethel University – Minnesota (22 to 35) and Ashland College (19 to 32). You can see the entire list at MinistryWatch.com Natasha: That’s not the only new list on the website. Warren: We also have our top 10 stories for the month of August. If you missed out and need a quick refresh on what’s been happening in the world of Christian ministries over the past month, you can check out that list on the MinistryWatch website with links and quick summaries of each story. Natasha: And who is in our Ministry Spotlight this week? Warren: This week, the Tim Tebow Foundation’s (TTF) ratings changed in two different MinistryWatch categories. Its Financial Efficiency rating fell from 3 stars to 2 stars, prompting its Donor Confidence Score to drop from 95 to an 80 (still within the “Give With Confidence” tier). MinistryWatch’s Financial Efficiency rating is based, in part, on Asset Utilization. Asset Utilization measures the way an organization uses its assets to further its programming and operations. An organization with fewer financial liabilities, like net assets or debt, will have a higher score. As of 2022, the Tim Tebow Foundation has $44.5 million in net assets, giving it a 1-star Asset Utilization rating. This marks a significant increase from 2020, when the organization had $16.7 million in net assets. Natasha: Over the last few years, the organization, its revenue and expenses have jumped around significantly. Warren: From 2020 to 2021, its revenue spiked from $10.3 million to $40.1 million. It then dropped down to $21.9 million in 2022. Meanwhile, its expenses grew steadily from $8.1 million to $19.4 million between 2020 and 2022. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., and founded by former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, the organization focuses on four main initiatives: Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation, Orphan Care + Prevention, Medical Needs and Special Needs Ministry. 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 Bob Smietana, Kim Roberts, Chris Moon, Tony Mator, and Brittany Smith. A special thanks to the Christian Standard 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.

For 2000 years Christians have heeded the call of The Great Commission to “go into all the world.” Christian missionaries have become some of the heroes of the faith, the subject of books, songs, and movies. But we rarely hear about the children of these missionaries. In the past few years, stories of spiritual and sexual abuse of missionary kids have started making news. Sometimes, even when there is no abuse, there is neglect and isolation, as many missionary kids, or MKs, are shuttled off to boarding schools, or follow their parents from one missionary assignment to another, often having to leave friends and support structures behind. Recent research suggests that there are more than 425,000 Christian missionaries in the world today, and many hundreds of thousands of current and former missionary kids. Recent research suggests that MKs experience childhood trauma at a rate nearly twice that of kids raised in the United States. The result is that MKs are often left with questions about God and their own faith if their own commitment doesn’t match their missionary parents. Joy Smalley was one of those missionary kids. Her parents were missionaries to Mongolia, and she was raised in conditions that at times compromised her safety and caused her to question her own faith. Ultimately, she did not reject her faith, and her story is one that evangelicals need to hear if we hope not only to be obedient to the Great Commission, but also to be obedient to Scripture’s commands to “suffer the children” in our midst, to protect them and raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Her book is Abraham’s Daughter: Healing Trauma from a Childhood in Missions. She spoke to me from her home in Tustin, California. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m your host Warren Smith. Please join me on Friday when Natasha Cowden and I recap the week’s news. Until then, may God bless you.

On today’s program, three years after sexual abuse allegations surfaced against the late apologist Ravi Zacharias, imploding his organization and his legacy, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries appears to remain in operation…with little to no transparency. We dug around for some answers. Plus, a Knoxville-area ministry is restoring dignity and hope to its homeless population. We’ll take a look. And, the latest from a recent survey on the state of church compensation. We’ll have details. But first, the founder of Barnabas Aid has been forced to resign over allegations of financial mismanagement and a toxic work culture. 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, Tony Mator, Marci Seither, Adelle Banks, Catherine Pepinster, and Christina Darnell. 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, three years after sexual abuse allegations surfaced against the late apologist Ravi Zacharias, imploding his organization and his legacy, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries appears to remain in operation…with little to no transparency. We dug around for some answers. Plus, a Knoxville-area ministry is restoring dignity and hope to its homeless population. We’ll take a look. And, the latest from a recent survey on the state of church compensation. We’ll have details. Natasha: But first, the founder of Barnabas Aid has been forced to resign over allegations of financial mismanagement and a toxic work culture. Warren: Patrick Sookhdeo, his wife Rosemarie, and two members of the United Kingdom board of trustees—Caroline Kerslake and Prasad Phillips—were suspended from leadership until an independent investigation can be completed. While the U.S. affiliate and fundraising arm of Barnabas Aid, also known as Barnabas Fund, has a different CEO than the U.K. affiliate, the Sookhdeos, Kerslake, and Phillips are all listed as board members of Barnabas Aid in the U.S.A. Natasha: What happened?? Warren: Following whistleblower complaints earlier this year, some members of the board began raising questions about the management of the charity and charity funds. The statement Barnabas Aid said it appears the Sookhdeos were among those who failed to comply with the internal policies and created a “toxic work environment” that undermined the staff’s feeling that they could voice their concerns. “In addition, we have also identified significant payments made to the founders (and to others close to them—including some Board Members/Trustees) which cannot be readily explained. Ample opportunity has been provided to the founders to explain those transactions but sadly they have refused to cooperate,” the Barnabas Aid statement added. Natasha: This wasn’t the first time that the founders have been in the news Warren: Barnabas Founder Patrick Sookhdeo was found guilty in 2015 for one count of sexual assault and two counts of witness intimidation, charges Sookhdeo vehemently denies. A few years later, in 2020, a UK employment tribunal found Sookhdeo guilty of condemning and shunning the ministry’s head of research, Dr. Martin Parsons. Barnabas said in a statement that at the time of the allegations, Sookhdeo was not working for Barnabas, but was working in its offices while carrying out his role for the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life. In the MinistryWatch database, Barnabas Aid (USA) receives a four-star financial efficiency rating, an A transparency grade, and the highest donor confidence score of 100. Natasha: Next, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries still exists three years after allegations rocked its operations but it still lacks transparency Warren: After Ravi Zacharias’ death in 2020 and the subsequent investigation into sexual abuse allegations against him, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) suspended fundraising and lost many of its speakers and leaders. Zacharias’ daughter Sarah (Davis) Phillips wrote in an email shared with MinistryWatch that RZIM planned to “transition to a grantmaking entity, much like a charitable foundation, which will support a variety of ministries, causes, and kingdom-building efforts. Specifically, we expect this new entity will make grants in two areas: furthering our original mission to preach the gospel through the questions of culture, and the prevention of and caring for victims of sexual abuse.” Phillips resigned from her role as CEO of RZIM in October 2021 with plans to start a new organization. Eventually named Lighten Group, the ministry lasted less than a year before it announced its closure. Natasha: So is RZIM now a grantmaking ministry? What has happened to the assets entrusted to RZIM? Warren: MinistryWatch has looked into the continuing operations of RZIM and discovered it continues to exist, but with little transparency or accountability. RZIM still has a website, but no financial information or grant applications are posted there. It also has an operational phone system with a staff directory. According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s website, RZIM filed its annual registration with the corporations division in 2023 for 2023 and 2024. A MinistryWatch search did not turn up any certificate or articles of dissolution of RZIM in Georgia. A building owned since 2016 by RZIM was sold earlier this year to Free Chapel for $14.5 million. According to a blog post by son Nathan Zacharias, a $45-million life insurance policy existed on Ravi Zacharias’ life and was payable to RZIM. Natasha: Do we know what they’ve done with the money? Warren: MinistryWatch reached out to some former speakers and employees of RZIM to ask if they knew anything about grants given by the ministry. But none of them had any information to share Abdu Murray, a former senior leader at RZIM, told MinistryWatch he has had no contact with the group since leaving in 2021. He did not respond to a specific question about whether he received any funding from RZIM for his new group, Embrace the Truth. Natasha: Next, a parsonage is for sale in Texas. Warren: A luxury 24-acre estate with six houses and 22 garage parking spaces may not meet most people’s definition of a parsonage. But the tax code says otherwise—this one Texas home is turning heads after being listed on realtor.com for $15 million. Located in a Houston suburb, the property is the home of Bishop I.V. Hilliard and his wife, Pastor Bridget Hilliard. It belongs to New Light Church (also known as New Light Christian Center Church), a multi-site, Word of Faith megachurch that the Hilliards founded in 1984f. Natasha: However, this is not the first time the Hilliards, who teach a form of the so-called Prosperity Gospel, have made headlines for their lavish lifestyle and use of church donations. Warren: In 2013, Bishop Hilliard, who has an estimated net worth of $22 million, sparked criticism with a fundraiser mailing that asked supporters to donate $52 each to replace the blades of his helicopter. Natasha: Did he stand by his words? Warren: Hilliard defended the letter, stressing the importance of the helicopter for serving the church’s six campuses and denying he had made any “bogus claims, prophecies or guarantees promising the donor will receive their dream mode of transportation in 52 days or 52 weeks.” As to why the parsonage has been put on the market, no statement has been released. Natasha: Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, a Knoxville-area rescue ministry pray that homeless people who walk through their doors will find not only a safe place to sleep at night, but peace in the gospel message. 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, a ministry focused on restoring lives in Jesus’ name. Warren: In the 1960s, five pastors saw the need to create a place for Knoxville’s homeless population. What started as a place for men is now a refuge for men, women, and mothers with children. Over 1,000 meals are served daily; most nights, the dorm-style rooms with over 300 beds are full. Each bed is prayed over by volunteers from across Knoxville in the hope that those who sleep there will not only find rest for the night, but peace in the gospel message. Natasha: And they run the 89,000-square-foot center, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Warren: And there’s a lot of work to be done – They do roughly 300 loads of laundry every day by 2:00. Then they do it all over again. Thankfully, they don’t have to do the work alone. Volunteers continue to support the KARM center. In 2024, over 1,700 volunteers have contributed more than 10,000 hours. KARM’s president and CEO, Danita McCartney, knows that despite KARM’s growth, its mission remains the same: to restore the lives of our homeless neighbors through Christ-centered support. Natasha: Next, a retirement settlement agreement in the AME Warren: The African Methodist Episcopal Church announced a settlement agreement with a number of its clergy who had sued the denomination, accusing it of mishandling their retirement funds. The settlement, which must still be approved by a judge, came Monday (Aug. 26) as delegates to the AME Church General Conference are meeting in Columbus, Ohio, for their quadrennial meeting that concluded on Wednesday. Prior to and during the meeting, AME Church members were calling for action after the former director of the Department of Retirement Services, the Rev. Jerome Harris, and others were accused in a 2022 class-action litigation of a total loss of $90 million. Natasha: How much was the settlement? Warren: Douglass P. Selby, the AME Church’s general counsel said that The total of the settlement is $20 million. This is a partial settlement subject to approval of the judge in the class-action case. At the time the suit was filed, nearly 5,000 pastors, church elders, and other employees were affected. AME Church officials, in their settlement announcement, repeated their pledge to do all they can to restore the retirement money. Natasha: In a similar line, a  Methodist Pastor in Nebraska has been Sentenced for Embezzlement From Church. Warren: Joseph Schumacher, 43, was arrested in November for unauthorized use of a financial transaction device and theft by deception. In June, he pleaded guilty to two reduced charges of attempted theft and was sentenced last week to consecutive 90-day sentences and 12 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $6,740 in restitution. Natasha: How did he take the money? Warren: Bank statements from the Mitchell Methodist Church showed 32 unauthorized ATM withdrawals from the church account totaling over $8,000 during a period starting in 2021 and continuing through late 2023, the Star Herald reported. The church also reportedly gave Schumacher a $4,500 check, which he cashed, to pay for schooling he never engaged in. He served as a UMC pastor in Nebraska from 2017 until his arrest in November 2023. Natasha: Warren, let’s look at one more story before we take a break, what do you have? Warren: A former Christian school math teacher, who is now serving as a student pastor, has been charged with six counts of sexual battery with a student. According to police, Norman Jermain Roberson, 36, is accused of engaging in an inappropriate relationship in 2015 with a 16 or 17-year-old student while he worked as a math teacher and director of musical programs at Fountain Inn Christian School in Fountain Inn, S.C. The alleged crimes took place between April and November 2015, according to a report by FOX Carolina. Natasha: Roberson was charged earlier this month by Laurens County Sheriff’s Office for similar incidents. Warren: And now faces six additional counts of sexual battery after an investigation. He is believed to have had illegal encounters in several locations in South Carolina, including Simpsonville, the city of Greenville, and Greenville County. Roberson has worked as a youth pastor at Word of Life Church in Simpsonville since 2019, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also was a youth pastor at GoChurch in Greenville for two years before his time at Fountain Inn Christian School, where he claims he worked from March 2015 to June 2016. His profile also says he is married. The investigation into Roberson’s alleged actions in 2015 remains ongoing by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. 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: Let me take you down to Strawberry Fields— no, not the memorial in New York’s Central Park to the former Beatle John Lennon, who was slain in Manhattan in 1980, but to the place that inspired his song, where the Salvation Army is conducting an experiment in mixing tourism with faith and social compassion. The original Strawberry Field was a children’s home in Liverpool, just around the corner from John Lennon’s childhood home. It inspired the Beatles’ 1966 track “Strawberry Fields Forever,” penned by Lennon (who added an “s” to its name), as well as what may be one of the most innovative projects undertaken by the Salvation Army, the Christian anti-poverty movement founded in mid-1800s London. Natasha: How so? Warren: But the army has now deployed Strawberry Field’s connection to the Beatles to draw more visitors to fund its mission and encourage people who would never consider stepping inside a church to find out about Christianity. The children’s home, closed in 2005, has been demolished. In its place is a new structure that contains a prayer space, a café, and an exhibition about Lennon and the Beatles that includes one of Lennon’s pianos. The building also houses a training project to help young people with special needs get into work. There’s a whole lot more to this heartwarming story, I’d recommend reading the whole thing if you have a chance at MinistryWatch.com Natasha: What’s Next? Warren: According to the annual State of the Church Compensation Survey by ChurchSalary, the average church increased their staff salaries and benefits more than they expected in 2024. In 2023, churches predicted they would increase personnel budgets by 4.5%, but the average actual increase turned out to be 4.9%. The greatest increase was seen in the cost of benefits. When it comes to benefit spending increases, 59% of churches reported increases in their health care benefit spending while 34% said they increased retirement contributions for staff. Nearly half of participating churches also plan to provide a 3.3% cost of living adjustment to staff in their 2025 budgets. They also expect the cost of benefits to increase by another 4.5% in the upcoming year. Church Law & Tax division leader Matt Branaugh pointed out that, on April 23, the federal Department of Labor released a new minimum salary requirement for exempt employees that took effect on July 1. Another increase is scheduled for January 1, 2025. The minimum annual salary for exempt employees increased from $35,568 to $43,888 on July 1 then is moving to $58,656 on January 1, 2025. Automatic increases every three years are scheduled to begin on July 1, 2027. Natasha: Who did Christina highlight in her Ministries Making a Difference column? Warren: The Word for the World is using AI called AiBT (artificial intelligence immersed Bible translation) to develop first drafts of the Bible in languages that do not have Scripture in their “heart language.” The new capabilities will fast track the process, accomplishing much of the initial translation work and getting it into the hands of indigenous Bible translators trained by the ministry who will then use “community and exegetical reviews and checks along with human Bible consultant reviews” to finish translating Scripture into their mother tongue. The Word for the World has 5 stars, an “A” transparency grade, and a 100 donor confidence score in the MinistryWatch database. Natasha: And there’s news from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Warren: The group mobilized a disaster response team to deploy to areas of the Philippines impacted by floods and a fatal landslide, local churches partnered with them to set up “Child-Friendly Spaces,” distribute relief goods, and minister to victims. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has 5 stars, an “A” transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of 100 in the MinistryWatch database—the highest score in each of the three categories. Natasha: Warren, any final thoughts before we go? Warren: Webinar – How To Read A Form 990. AI Text to Audio experiment on podcast. Final days to donate and receive WORLD. 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, Tony Mator, Marci Seither, Adelle Banks, Catherine Pepinster, and Christina Darnell. 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.

A luxury 24-acre estate with six houses and 22 garage parking spaces may not meet most people’s definition of a parsonage. But the tax code says otherwise—this one Texas home is turning heads after being listed on realtor.com for $15 million. Located in a Houston suburb, the property is the home of Bishop I.V. Hilliard and his wife, Pastor Bridget Hilliard. It belongs to New Light Church (also known as New Light Christian Center Church), a multi-site, Word of Faith megachurch that the Hilliards founded in 1984.    The listing says the compound “boasts a lake stocked with trophy bass, a magazine worthy primary estate, five junior estates, a resort style pool with cabanas,” an office complex with a fitness center, and an owners’ suite with a 25-foot high ceiling, and its own private exercise room and jacuzzi tub. Other features include two wet bars, a banquet hall, a home theater, a hair salon, and a commercial-grade kitchen. Appraised in 2023 at $7,966,887, the property would have incurred an estimated $152,168 in annual property taxes. But thanks to the parsonage tax exemption, the Hilliards and their church enjoy a tax liability most homeowners in their 28,000-member congregation can only dream of: zero. According to The Christian Post, in 2021 an attorney representing New Light Church told the Houston Chronicle the tax exemption was justified because the estate is used as a minister’s retreat and conference center.  However, this is not the first time the Hilliards, who teach a form of the so-called Prosperity Gospel, have made headlines for their lavish lifestyle and use of church donations.  In 2013, Bishop Hilliard, who has an estimated net worth of $22 million, sparked criticism with a fundraiser mailing that asked supporters to donate $52 each to replace the blades of his helicopter. “I heard that still small voice of the Holy Spirit say ‘tell your special partners who have special transportation needs’ and their obedience will release favor for their needs and desires,” the letter read. “I believe with all my heart this message is for you and your doing something today is the key to releasing this favor on your transportation situation! Send me the transportation need or dream you have by completing the online petition when you sow a $52.00 transportation favor seed believing in 52 days or 52 weeks you will experience breakthrough favor!”  Hilliard defended the letter, stressing the importance of the helicopter for serving the church’s six campuses and denying he had made any “bogus claims, prophecies or guarantees promising the donor will receive their dream mode of transportation in 52 days or 52 weeks.” But one vocal critic, Pastor Saiko Woods of the now defunct His Word, His Way Fellowship Church in Sugar Land, Texas, argued, “I’ve seen this man’s home. I’ve seen where he lives. You can’t tell me you don’t have $50,000 you can pay out of your own pocket.” As to why the parsonage has been put on the market, no statement has been released. New Light Church Parsonage / Realtor.com In 2018, Bishop Hilliard passed the mantle of senior pastor to his daughter Irishea Hilliard, who lives across the street from him in a home valued at $4.7 million. Another daughter, Tiny Hilliard Egan, lives across the street in a house valued at about $4.15 million. A third daughter, Kermeshea Hilliard Evans, is estranged from the family and wrote a memoir, Going to Church to Catch Hell, about growing up in the ministry. According to New Light’s website, Bishop Hilliard and his wife continue to be active in the church, pursuing “passion projects” including Hilliard Faith University, Love City and B’s Girls. The bishop’s Facebook page indicates that he continues to do frequent speaking engagements, such as the recent Adventurous Faith seminar. New Light Church was once named by Church Report magazine as one of America’s 50 most influential churches. TO OUR READERS: Do you have a story idea, or do you want to give us feedback about this or any other story? Please email us: info@ministrywatch.com

Many of our neighbors have succumbed to what the French philosopher Jacques Ellul called “the political illusion.” What is it, and what can we do to resist it? Here are a couple of resources mentioned on today’s episode: Ellul explained the “political illusion” in his 1965 book L’illusion politique. It was published in English in 1967. To read my interview with Christopher Watkin, click here.) According to a recent Gallup survey, a majority of Americans now believe abortion should be legal in all or most circumstances. That finding represents a significant shift in attitude in just the past few years. To read about the pastor’s conference hosted by Turning Point USA, click on our report here. To read a written version of this commentary, click here. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you!