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Ministry Watch is an independent American evangelical Christian organization that evaluates protestant ministries for financial accountability and transparency, and to provide independent advice to individuals considering making donations to these ministries.[1][2]
| Formation | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Rusty and Carol Leonard |
| Legal status | Non-profit |
President | Warren Cole Smith |
| Website | ministrywatch |
Background
editMinistry Watch aims to foster transparency, accountability, and integrity within the Christian ministry sector. It provides investigative reports and "accountability journalism" through its website, though citations are needed for specific claims. MinistryWatch publishes three to five stories every week day on its website. It also has a podcast that publishes two episodes per week. The website had more than 3-million page views in 2023. The organization maintains a database of approximately 1,000 Christian ministries, containing five years' worth of financial data. This database also includes ratings for Financial Efficiency and Transparency, aiding potential donors in making informed decisions.
In addition to its investigative efforts, Ministry Watch publishes two key bulletins: one highlighting exemplary ministries, titled the "Shining Light Ministries" bulletin, and another issuing "Donor Alerts," which warns of potential frauds or pitfalls that donors may encounter.
Ministry Watch was founded by Howard "Rusty" Leonard and gained national attention when it was featured on ABC News' 20/20 in 2007. The segment focused on various organizations' use of donor funds. Leonard, along with current Ministry Watch President Warren Cole Smith, has continued to appear in prominent media outlets, including The Washington Post, NPR, WORLD Magazine, Christianity Today, Religion News Service, and Bloomberg, discussing issues related to ministry transparency and financial practices.
Media Appearances
Over the years, Ministry Watch has been featured in both Christian and secular media outlets, solidifying its role as a watchdog for financial practices in the evangelical community.
References
edit- ^ "Ole Oops". Dallas Observer. August 8, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
- ^ "About". Ministry Watch. 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-02-14. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
External links
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