| MinistryWatch | |
| Founder: | Rusty and Carol Leonard[1] |
| Status: | Nonprofit 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters: | Matthews, North Carolina |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Warren Cole Smith |
| Leader Title2: | CEO |
| Leader Name2: | Rusty Leonard |
MinistryWatch 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.[2] [3]
MinistryWatch posts daily journalism related to Christian ministries at its website.[4] It also has a database of the 1000 largest Christian ministries in the country. That database, called the MinistryWatch 1000, has financial information and ratings for these ministries.[5] [6]
MinistryWatch aims to foster transparency, accountability, and integrity within the Christian ministry sector. It provides investigative reports and "accountability journalism" through its website. Recent investigations by MinistryWatch have exposed irregularities or improprieties at Wycliffe Associates,[7] Liberty University,[8] Kanakuk Kamps,[9] Hillsong,[10] Ankerberg Theological Research Institute,[11] Ravi Zacharias International Ministries,[12] and elsewhere.
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 three 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, MinistryWatch publishes bulletins such as the annual "Shining Light Ministries" bulletin, which highlights exemplary ministries,[13] and other "Donor Alerts," which warn of potential fraud or pitfalls that donors may encounter.[14]
Over the years, MinistryWatch has been featured in both Christian and secular media outlets, solidifying its role as a watchdog for financial practices in the evangelical community. GetReligion called MinistryWatch the "go-to resource for keeping up with evangelical controversies."[15]
MinistryWatch 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 MinistryWatch president Warren Cole Smith, has continued to appear in prominent media outlets, including The Washington Post, NPR,[16] WORLD Magazine, Christianity Today,[17] Religion News Service,[18] NBC News,[19] and Bloomberg News,[20] discussing issues related to ministry transparency and financial practices.
MinistryWatch has publicly advocated for reform in the Christian nonprofit sector. Specifically, it advocates that all Christian ministries release their Form 990s to the public.[21] It has also been an outspoken opponent of the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in Christian ministry settings.[22]