Advertise on podcast: MinistryWatch Podcast

On today’s EXTRA episode, Warren and Christina discuss a report that Compassion International failed to act when they had evidence of 25,000 “suspected grooming cases.” They also tackle gambling and prediction markets. Also, new data from the Anglican Church in North America(ACNA) released this past week shows a 2.55 percent jump in churchwide Average Sunday Attendance in 2025, an increase of 2,509 from 96,009 in 2024 to 98,514 in the most recent reporting year. These new data mean that the ACNA continues to buck denominational trends and show growth, though they also mean that the growth has flattened a bit from the heady days early in the young denomination’s history. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

A quick look at the news will let you know that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are on fire. International observers say that in the past five years we have seen at least 10, and possibly as many as 15 wars or significant armed conflicts in the region. They include wars in Gaza, Iran, Sudan, Yemen, Syria and elsewhere. These conflicts have left at least 200,000 people dead. But these wars are not the whole story. I was in London last week at a conference of church leaders from the region hosted by Strategic Resource Group (SRG), which provides research, strategy and funding for scores of evangelism and discipleship projects in the area. I learned of another spark that is catching fire in the MENA region: The spark of revival. To read more on this topic, click here. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, Life Surge is close to reaching a settlement in a wage lawsuit. A former salesperson for the ministry says the company wrongfully classified him as an independent contractor to avoid paying overtime. We’ll have details. Plus, a host of Christian influencers are rallying behind popular blogger and podcaster Samuel Sey after he was detained by ICE. Supporters are blaming a clerical error, but DHS says Sey will likely be deported. We’ll take a look. And, multi-site churches are becoming a staple of American life.  But first, one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country has voted to leave the denomination. Highland Park United Methodist in Dallas held the vote on Sunday and Monday. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, Casey Sudduth, and Christina Darnell. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Yonat Shimron, Kim Roberts, Bob Smietana, Jessica Eturralde, Adelle Banks, and Makella Knowles. You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, popular megachurch pastor Andy Stanley is stepping down from his role at North Point Community Church, which he’s led for 31 years. He said he’s stepping back from his job — but not from ministry. We’ll have details. And, Liberty University and Bethel University are among Christian colleges offering specialized programs for students with intellectual disabilities. We’ll take a look. Plus, an almost 200-year-old church burned to the ground last week — and investigators believe they’ve found what started the flame. But first, a pastor in Washington state is facing federal charges. Prosecutors say Cristian Popescu, who leads Passion for Christ church in Kirkland, ran a fraudulent investment scheme worth about $13 million. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, Casey Sudduth, and Christina Darnell. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Bob Smietana, Lincoln Patience, Jessica Eturralde, Neva Piombino, Josh Noble, Sally Kestin, and Kadence McKinnon. A special thanks to The Asheville Watchdog for contributing material for this week’s podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

Here are some resources mentioned in today’s podcast episode:   You can watch Roland Warren give his melancholy assessment of the current state of abortion in America here. The turmoil at Christianity Today continues. Now, the mess has made its way into the New York Times. Reporter Ruth Graham does not break any news here. Most of what she covers Warren wrote about two weeks ago here. Columnist and provocateur Rod Dreher is always interesting and often helpful. In his latest column he laments that people are reading less today than in the past. But the data are not clear on this point. According to Pew surveys, Americans are reading less literature for pleasure than they did 30 years ago, and some surveys show that frequent readers are reading fewer books. However, the percentage of adults who read at least one book in any format has been comparatively stable. Demographics, technology, and shifting attitudes about a college degree have created a crisis. That is why I was taken by a recent PBS report. The report focused on the cost of these college closures on the small towns they call home. As each school shutters, students, faculty, and the surrounding community struggle to find a way forward. Paul Solman reports on one such school, Hampshire College, and the effects of its demise. It is part of a PBS higher education series, Rethinking College, and produced in collaboration with the Hechinger Report. The first Narnia movie has a budget of $300 million, so the stakes are high. Test screenings went poorly, and Netflix executives are demanding re-shoots. On October 14, Netflix laid off roughly 1,000 employees, including film executive Doug Belgrad. Chief content officer Bela Bajaria’s departure was announced later that week, and film chief Dan Lin’s departure followed on October 19. Netflix has said it wants to improve its programming and execution. But industry trade Variety, on Oct. 20, published, “Why Netflix Fired Dan Lin (and the Truth About His Tension With Greta Gerwig Over ‘Narnia’).” It discusses tensions surrounding the film alongside broader questions about Netflix’s film strategy. If you are just discovering our podcast, welcome aboard. We now have more than 650 episodes for you to binge on. This week, we dropped a new interview with Carlos Campo, president of the Museum of the Bible. We recommend this conversation, which you can find here. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

Museum of the Bible has faced its share of challenges since opening in Washington, D.C., in 2017. We have chronicled some of them here at MinistryWatch. But under the leadership of Carlos Campo, the institution is writing a new chapter. A veteran of Christian higher education, Campo became the museum’s president and CEO in June 2024. I interviewed him for the podcast then, and in that podcast we covered a lot of his biography and some of the challenges he would be facing in his new role. And…I’ve got to be honest…I thought those challenges may have been too daunting to overcome. I was wrong. A couple of weeks ago, when I took a look at the financial statements for the Museum of the Bible, I was surprised to see dramatic changes. I immediately emailed Carlos and asked if would come back on the podcast to talk about what has happened and how he got it done. I hope you’ll go back and listen to my original interview with Carlos Campo, but – until then – I’ll say here that he previously served nine years as president of Ashland University in Ohio, where he led a $100 million fundraising campaign, oversaw academic expansion, and strengthened the university’s educational programs. Before that, he served as president of Regent University in Virginia and as chief academic officer at the College of Southern Nevada. He holds a doctorate in English from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He also served on Museum of the Bible’s board for years before taking the helm. In this conversation, Campo discusses how he has approached the museum’s turnaround, the leadership decisions behind its progress, and the challenges of running a major cultural institution devoted to the Bible in an increasingly diverse and secular society. We talk about financial sustainability, public trust, organizational culture, and the museum’s mission to invite people of all backgrounds to engage with the Bible’s history, narrative, and influence. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa — the original Calvary Chapel — just settled a sexual abuse lawsuit for $12 million. We’ll have details. Plus, a Facebook post is raising questions about Christian radio stations and the ministries they promote. And, Southern Baptist seminaries see a new generation of leaders take the helm. Southeastern Seminary installed a new president earlier this week.  But first, a big win for pastors who opted out of Social Security years ago and now wish they hadn’t. The Senate just passed the Clergy Act—unanimously. That’s after the House approved it back in April. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, Casey Sudduth, and Christina Darnell. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Kadence McKinnon, Tony Mator, Yonat Shimron, Bob Smietana, Aaron Earls, Makella Knowles, and Jessica Eturralde. A special thanks to Lifeway Research and Baptist Press for contributing material for this week’s podcast. I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado.  Until next time, may God bless you.

The following is a transcript of today’s podcast episode: Christina Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first?   Warren   Operation Blessing, an international humanitarian organization, is on the ground in Florida providing hot meals, emergency supplies and critical assistance to families impacted by Hurricane Isaias, after pre-positioning its disaster response team in neighboring Alabama ahead of the storm. Christina According to a statement from the organization, “The organization’s Global Disaster Response (GDR) team mobilized in advance of the hurricane, allowing personnel to enter affected communities within hours of the storm’s passage and begin assessing damage and delivering urgently needed assistance.” Warren One of the things I like about Operation Blessing is that it partners with local churches. Operation Blessing established its base of operations at Brownsville Church in Pensacola, where its team is working alongside local leaders and volunteers to provide hot meals and distribute emergency relief supplies to families recovering from the storm. I also like that Operation Blessing has one of the highest ratings in our database. See the details here. Christina   Warren, you have kind of a pet peeve about polling and survey data. Warren That’s right, but my frustration is not with the polls, but with the way people use, misuse, and abuse them. Christina Can you give me an example? Warren One of the most common (and most frustrating) things I hear coming out of the mouths of conservatives and Christians is that “polls are always wrong.” Polls are not always wrong. In fact, modern polling is remarkably accurate. Computing power and advanced modeling have become extremely sophisticated. However, polls are not predictive. Polls provide snapshots of a moment in time. They are not movies. Christina Your data guru Ryan Burge made that point recently about the religious climate in Canada. Warren That’s right. Nearly 25 years ago, Canadian sociologist Reginald W. Bibby published Restless Gods: The Renaissance of Religion in Canada. That renaissance never occurred, and Bibby’s thesis fell victim to this rookie mistake of sociologists and journalists: they try to predict. The moral of the story: stick to the facts. Or, as Yogi Berra famously said, “Predictions are dangerous, especially predictions about the future.” Christina   In our little world of Christian journalism, there was big news this week. The Evangelical Press Association changed its name. Warren, what’s the background here. Warren Nearly 80 years ago, in the fall of 1947, James DeForest Murch, Ph.D., editor of the NAE magazine United Evangelical Action met with a handful of editors at the National Sunday School Association convention to discuss the possibility of an association of evangelical editors. Christina And that meeting gave birth to the Evangelical Press Association. Warren On May 6, 1948, 35 editors met at Congress Hotel in Chicago to organize the Evangelical Press Association, to adopt a doctrinal statement. That statement depended heavily on the doctrinal statement of the then-new National Association of Evangelicals. On April 4-6, 1949, the first annual EPA convention met in Chicago. Christina However, this month, the Evangelical Press Association changed its name to the Christian Communicators Network. Warren Only 244 of the more than 600 eligible voters participated, and of those 244, 57% voted for the change, and 42% voted against it. In other words, because there was no quorum requirement, a small minority – less than 25 percent of the voting members – were able to impose their will on the majority. I will have more to say about this later, but – for now – I will just say that I sure hope the board knows what it is doing. Christina   There’s also been a new development in the world of Christian higher education. Warren Five independent colleges announced Tuesday that they have joined as founding members of the National Association for Academic Excellence (NAAE), a new accrediting body for colleges and universities. Christina Rob Manzer will be the president and CEO of NAAE. We’ve got more information about his background on the website, but – for now – what can you tell me about this new organization. Warren People I have talked with, including David Dockery (who I consider to be the dean of Christian higher education in this country) tell me this new organization is a positive development. Under the Biden Administration, the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Department of Education became increasingly arbitrary. Some regions required strict adherence to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) requirements. Other standards varied by region. Christian college leaders worried that their regional accreditation – and their access to federal funds — might be in jeopardy. Christina This new body, if recognized by the Department of Education, will provide an alternative to the current regional accrediting bodies for Christian colleges and universities. Warren The NAAE’s charter members include Merrimack College, an Augustinian school in North Andover, Massachusetts; Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas; the University of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City; Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska; and Houston Christian University in Texas. Christina While we’re on the topic of Christian higher education, let’s mention briefly that Grand Canyon University has a new law school. Warren James L. Williams will be the inaugural dean of the new College of Law at Grand Canyon University. In a statement, GCU President Brian Mueller said The College of Law could welcome its first class as early as fall 2027, subject to required regulatory approvals. Christina You’ve got mixed feelings about this new law school. Warren While I salute this new development, I would add that nearly 30 law schools exist at Christian colleges in this country, while not a single Ph.D. program in journalism exists at a Christian college. I am all for Christian lawyers. There’s a much greater need in this country for Christian journalists. Christina   Finally, Warren, I know you like to look at history for inspiration and lessons. This week, you wrote about a historical figure that a lot of people may have forgotten, but is worth remembering. Warren On Oct. 8, 1918, 108 years ago last week, Sgt. Alvin York participated in a patrol that changed his life and became a part of the American Myth. York was drafted into World War I, despite being nearly 30 years old. At first, he claimed conscientious objector status, but after a season of searching his own conscience and the scriptures, he concluded that he could honorably serve in the military. Honorably serve he did. Earning the Congressional Medal of Honor and becoming an American legend. The story is too long to recount here, but I have written about it before and I recommend his story to you, which you can find here. Christina Any final notes before we go? Warren We will be doing another online seminar this week, on Thursday. This one on “How To Find And Read A Form 990. It is free, but you do need to register to attend. You can register here.   We do a reader survey twice a year, and one of the findings that continues to astound me is that the vast majority of our readers do not know that we have a podcast. Not only do we have one, last week we dropped our 650th episode! So, if you are just discovering it, you have a lot of great content to listen to. This week, we dropped a new interview with Bonnie Kristian, author of the new book In Defense of Evangelicalism. I strongly recommend this conversation, which you can find here. Christina The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s extra episode, Warren Smith talks about the recent round of layoffs — and other challenges — facing Christianity Today. He also talks about why we should all care about them. The producer of today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, Sean Feucht Ministries faces an amended lawsuit claiming he continued seeking donations for something that was already fully funded. We’ll have details. And, from war zones to politics — the leader of a ministry who has worked in some of the world’s hardest places is now shifting his focus to domestic issues — both in his ministry’s mission and his run for Colorado governor. Plus, scandal-ridden televangelist Jim Bakker, dies at 86.  But first, a South Lake Tahoe mayor now faces federal charges — for allegedly stealing from her own church. Tamara Wallace is set for federal arraignment October 13th. Prosecutors charged her with one count of wire fraud, saying she took nearly $390,000 from Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church.  The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, Casey Sudduth, and Christina Darnell. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, Neva Piombino, Adelle Banks, David Mark, and Makella Knowles. You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s EXTRA episode, Christina Darnell and Warren Smith discuss news of the week that is “MinistryWatch Adjacent,” including Katmai National Park’s Fat Bear Week. Resources mentioned in today’s episode include: Trey’s Law (SB 30), signed by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey earlier this year, applies to civil settlement agreements signed on or after October 1, 2026. This new Alabama law now ensures survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking cannot be lawfully silenced in its state’s civil courts. The new Alabama law is part of a growing national movement, joining Texas, Missouri, Georgia, and Louisiana in implementing versions of Trey’s Law in 2025 and 2026.   We have mentioned Costi Hinn recently, but I cannot resist directing you to a new Business Insider video interview with him that is “must see TV” as far as I’m concerned. This year, the winner of Katmai National Park’s Fat Bear Week is a bear named Backpack. He weighs more than 1000 pounds. To read more about Backpack and Fat Bear Week, click here. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.

Bonnie Kristian is a journalist, author and deputy editor at Christianity Today whose work has appeared in publications including The Week, The New York Times and Politico. She came to journalism while studying theology at an evangelical seminary, and that combination of theological training and journalistic experience has shaped much of her work. Her new book, In Defense of Evangelicalism: A Response to Its Cultured Despisers, makes a provocative argument: Evangelicalism has serious problems, but the increasingly common wholesale condemnation of the movement is unfair, and evangelicalism is worth reforming rather than abandoning. Kristian takes on critics including Kristin Du Mez, Beth Allison Barr and Tim Alberta, arguing that critics sometimes mistake the movement's fringes for its center while acknowledging that evangelicals have genuine failures to address. The book has received strong praise from figures including theologian Carl Trueman, who called it a “kind, generous work,” and National Association of Evangelicals president Walter Kim, who called it “a vital service to the public.” But the book has also drawn substantial criticism. Christian Century reviewer Sam Gee argues that Kristian's defense relies too heavily on separating mainstream evangelicals from their problematic fringes and questions whether she sufficiently reckons with evangelicalism's political and theological entanglements. Today, we'll talk with Bonnie Kristian about what evangelicalism is—and whether it is worth defending. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today’s program, Tim Tebow and Pastor Craig Groeschel are among some big names suspending ties with Life Surge amid claims the Christian finance ministry pressured people at their events to take on thousands in debt. We’ll have details. Plus, two Christian media ministries are clashing over the word “Hope” — and are battling their trademark claims in court. We’ll take a look. And, a judge has dismissed most of the claims in former professor David Sill’s case against the Southern Baptist Convention and its leaders. But first, a popular Christian author and her husband are facing serious charges this week. Heather Thompson Day is a popular speaker and author across the broader Christian community, not just her own denomination. She's written 10 books, including a bestseller called "I'll See You Tomorrow." She also hosted a Christianity Today podcast called "Viral Jesus" and writes a weekly devotional with 10,000 subscribers.  The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, Casey Sudduth, and Christina Darnell. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Bob Smietana, Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, and Michaela Gordoni. You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

Here are resources mentioned in today’s episode:   Ryan Burge makes a compelling case that Black Protestants and White Evangelicals have much more in common with each other than either group has with other religious traditions. Warren wrote an article last week for Christianity Today. It is the story of one of my friends and mentors, Jim Kilgo, and his humorous first meeting with the writer Annie Dillard, who died on Sept. 15. You can find it here.   A new Murmuration survey finds that nearly three in four Americans (73%) say spending in-person time with friends and family has become more important to them over the last year, while a majority (55%) have seriously considered quitting social media. The Russell Kirk Center announced this week that Eugene Volokh will receive this year’s Richard D. McLellan Prize for advancing free speech and expression. In 1976, on Cru’s 25th anniversary, Bright sat with Christianity Today for an interview. In it, he said, “We at Campus Crusade are very transparent in all our financial operations.” Alas, not anymore. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.

In the early 1990s, Mark Whitacre appeared to have everything a young corporate executive could want: an Ivy League doctorate, wealth, prestige and a rapidly rising career at Archer Daniels Midland. By age 32, he was president of ADM’s BioProducts division, and by 35 he was a corporate vice president and a candidate to become the company’s president. Then his life unraveled. On today’s extra episode, Warren Smith shares Whitacre’s story – and lessons we can all learn from it. To read a transcript of this episode, and access resources mentioned by Warren, click here. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.