MinistryWatch Podcast
Religion & Spirituality
About
Transparency and accountability are vital to the renewal of the evangelical church in America. Hosts Warren Smith and Natasha Smith highlight the top stories of the week from the unique MinistryWatch perspective and give you a peek behind the curtain to show why and how we do the investigations we do.
Episodes
- Ep. 600: Fault Lines in the Pro-Life Movement
For 50 years, the pro-life movement was united in a common goal: overturn Roe v. Wade. Today, the movement is splintering over questions of funding, accountability, and strategy. In this EXTRA episode, Warren Smith offers advice to the mov…
- Ep. 599: COGIC Scandal, Sports Gambling and the Church, McLean Bible Church
On today’s program, a new lawsuit claims that church leaders participated in a $200 million ‘sham’ drug program. We’ll take a look. Plus, sports gambling. Online sports betting continues to explode, causing all kinds of fallout…but many ch…
- Ep. 598: United Methodist Megachurch, The Coming Depopulation, Bob Woodson, and ReDedicate 250
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) o…
- Ep. 597: Who Should You Trust?
American institutions are facing a crisis in confidence. Those institutions include religious institutions. That’s why it seems to me that now is a good time to talk about TRUST. How does one build trust? How is trust maintained? What happ…
- Ep. 596: Teen Challenge, Zoe Ministries, and Remembering James Robison
On today’s program, the Central Indiana Teen Challenge—associated with the widely known Adult & Teen Challenge addiction recovery ministry—is facing allegations of trafficking and forced labor. Nine young women have filed a lawsuit claimin…
- Ep. 593: Joni Lamb, a $2-M Ministry Theft, and the Largest Bible Translation Organizations
MinistryWatch Podcast episode 593 covers accusations of misuse of ministry funds, author Jada Edwards discusses radical generosity, and reports the death of Daystar TV co-founder Joni Lamb. The episode also notes the FBI charging a woman w…
- Ep. 592: Christian College Challenge, Mifepristone, Colorado Springs Departures
The MinistryWatch Podcast episode covers a new Department of Education regulation that could impact federal financial aid for Christian college programs. It also discusses the Supreme Court
- Ep. 591: Grey Matter Research’s Ron Sellers on Evangelical Giving Declines
A study by Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts found that evangelical giving habits remained steady between 2024 and 2025. However, compared to 2020, there has been a 31% decrease in the percentage of household income given to churc…
- Ep. 590: Kanakuk CEO Retires, Fallout at Ligonier, Ministry in Iran
MinistryWatch Podcast discusses the retirement of Kanakuk Kamps CEO Joe White, Ligonier Ministries facing scrutiny after Stephen Nichols’ departure and excommunication, and a ministry’s efforts in Iran. The episode also addresses a court r…
- Ep. 589: NRB v. FCC, Embryo Donations, New SBC Attendance Numbers
Christina Darnell and Warren Smith of MinistryWatch discuss the NRB filing a complaint against Jimmy Kimmel with the FCC, the expansion of embryo adoption services through the National Embryo Donation Center, and recent attendance figures…
- Ep. 588: Is the Age of the Megachurch Over?
By Warren Cole Smith Megachurches are not going away, of course. But data in recent years suggest their growth and numbers are leveling out, and possibly even declining. In 1970, the United States had less than 20 protestant megachurches,…
- Ep. 587: Newsboys, Michael Tait, Benny Hinn, and Preventing Financial Fraud
On today’s program, Newsboys co-founder Wes Campbell and the band’s musicians are suing multiple defendants for defamation related to stories about former lead singer Michael Tait. Defendants include World Vision, MercyMe, and reporter Jul…
- Ep. 585: Signs of Life at True Charity Conference
The True Charity Network held its annual conference last week in Jacksonville, Florida. The conference demonstrated once again that this group is on the forefront of reforming the way the church does charity in the United States. James Whi…
- Ep. 584: Bethel Church, Flipcause Fails, ACNA Trial Date Set, Evangelical Giving Levels Out
On today’s program, Bethel Church commissions a third-party investigation into clergy sexual abuse allegations against the church’s Prophetic Ministry Director Ben Armstrong. We’ll have details. Plus, charities were left with major donatio…
- Ep. 582: Considering Sparrows: A Conversation with Kevin Burrell
I’m not an avid bird watcher, but I’ve long been interested in the way birds intervene in our lives, our stories, our cultural myths. Think about the story of the raven and the dove in the Genesis account of the flood. Or the use of the do…
- Ep. 581: Elevation Church, Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon, Texas Summer Camps Fight to Survive
On this week’s program, a church child care director has been charged with stealing $500,000 from a Georgia United Methodist Church. Investigators went so far as to call it a ‘criminal enterprise’—and because of it, the church was forced t…
- Ep. 580: Columbia International University, Deposed ACNA Bishop Back in Ministry, Dad’s Place Wins Legal Fight
On today’s program, Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina, was one of the charter members with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Now, 47 years later, it has left the ECFA. Meanwhile, another scan…
- Ep. 579: Non-Profits and Cities, AI and Job Displacement, Debunking the Overhead Myth
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) o…
- Ep. 578: John Coleman on “Good Money”
Here at MinistryWatch, I read a lot of books about money, stewardship, philanthropy, and related topics. That’s probably not a surprise. After all, that’s what we do here. These topics are our “beat.” But I don’t often run across a book li…
- Ep. 577: Robert Morris Released, AI Abuse, Salvation Army, St. Andrews Chapel
On today’s program, Robert Morris is released from jail after serving 6 months behind bars. The former megachurch pastor released a statement apologizing to Cindy Clemishire, who he abused when she was just 12 years old. We’ll take a look.…
- Ep. 576: Military Chaplains, Christian Radio, Charity Ratings, and a Family-Friendly Movie
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) o…
- Ep. 575: Explaining MinistryWatch’s Rating System
We consider our ratings of ministries to be one of the most important things we do. It is also unique. No other organization rates Christian ministries, taking into account financial efficiency, board governance, transparency, and other is…
- Ep. 574: St. Andrew’s Chapel, World Water Day, Former SBC President Steve Gaines Passes
On today’s program, more turmoil at St. Andrew’s Chapel in Florida—the church started by R.C. Sproul. Allegations surface as the church grapples with the fallout of recent excommunications. We’ll have details. And, World Water Day was last…
- Ep. 572: Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives Needs To Go
As you can read elsewhere on MinistryWatch , the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is now 25 years old. Despite the good intentions of those who founded it, the office – like many government entities – has outlived its useful…
- Ep. 571: Dream Center LA, Bibles for Iran, Brady Boyd and New Life Church
On today’s program, Angelus Temple in Los Angeles—widely considered the first U.S. megachurch—has replaced its longtime pastors Matthew and Caroline Barnett. The announcement came after a sabbatical turned into a permanent separation. We’l…
- Ep. 570: James Talarico, The Population Bomb, Evangelical Takedowns, and Mall Culture 2.0
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…
- Ep. 569: We Want Your Stories
In this week’s EXTRA episode, we talk about unsung heroes. We want to tell more of their stories here at MinistryWatch. I do not want you to think we are getting soft. We will continue to engage in the fact-based analysis and deeply report…
- Ep. 568: Greg Laurie Sued, Donor Advised Fund Advice, Beth Moore
On today’s program, 22 plaintiffs who say they were abused at a Christian children’s homes in Romania are suing Harvest Christian Fellowship—who sponsored the children’s homes—and its famous pastor, Greg Laurie, claiming the church knew ab…
- Ep. 567: Lonnie Frisbee, ACNA, SXSW, Kazakhstan, and More
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) o…
- Ep. 566: Ben Sasse: The Process of Dying is Something to be Lived
On today’s Extra episode, some reflections on the life of former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse. Ben Sasse spoke plainly when he announced his cancer diagnosis a couple of weeks ago. In his public letter announcing the diagnosis, Sasse wrote: “Las…
- Ep. 565: Pro-War Religious Broadcasters, Christian Romance Novels, John Piper X Controversy
CHRISTINA Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch, and today we’re inaugurating a new feature here on the MinistryWatch podcast. Here’s Warren Smith, the President of MinistryWatch, to explain. WARREN T…
- Ep. 564: GOD International, ECFA’s LeaderCare Standard, Trey’s Law Goes to Washington
On today’s program, Global Outreach Developments International—which goes by the name G.O.D. International—is in the hot seat after a lawsuit claims the Nashville-based ministry and its former leader engaged in sex trafficking and forced l…
- Ep. 563: A Conversation with SBC President Clint Pressley
Today on the podcast, I’m pleased to welcome Dr. Clint Pressley . Dr. Pressley has been serving as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention , the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, since his election in June 2024…
- Ep. 562: Camp Mystic Families Sue TX Officials, UMCOR Closes Relief Hub, Bethel Church Controversy
On today’s program, families who lost children at Camp Mystic last year are suing Texas state officials for licensing the camp despite its lack of an evacuation plan. We’ll have details. And, fundraising on commission—it may seem like a wi…
- Ep. 561: The Woman Who Is Igniting A Movement
I started getting emails from Elizabeth Carlock Phillips in February of 2021 – five years ago this month. She wanted to tell me about sex abuse and the coverup of abuse at Kanakuk Kamps. That conversation began MinistryWatch’s five-year jo…
- Ep. 560: Gateway Church, Kanakuk, Another Christian College Closes
On today’s program, a judge has denied the request of two Gateway Church elders who were seeking to be dismissed from a defamation lawsuit filed by Robert Morris’ sexual abuse victim, Cindy Clemishire. We’ll have details. Also, three semin…
- Ep. 559: I Have Seen The Future of Missions – Bring It On
Two weeks ago, I was in Silicon Valley, in the San Francisco Bay area of California, to attend a meeting about artificial intelligence and missions. I entered the meeting with a lot of questions, and some of those questions remain – plus a…
- Ep. 558: ELCA Sues Member Congregation, Preventing Financial Fraud, Agape Flights, BSF Moves HQ
On today’s program, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has sued a small church in California for legal title to its property—but that small church is fighting back. We’ll have details. And, a hacker drained $85,000 from an Oklahoma…
- Ep. 557: To Invent is Divine – A Discussion of Creativity and Property Rights
If you have studied what it means to have a Christian worldview or – for that matter – you have just studied the Bible, you know that it all begins with the creation story. “In the beginning, God created.” And if we are made in God’s image…
- Ep. 556: Waterstone Sued over DAF, “He Gets Us” is Back for Super Bowl
On today’s program, WaterStone is being sued by a client who claims that the donor-advised fund cut him off from his family’s account. The results of this case could have larger implications for the rights of donors and other donor advised…
- Ep. 555: Royal Rangers Face Scrutiny, Following the Passion Conference Money Trail, March for Life
On today’s program, a report reveals past sexual abuse among the Christian scouting program, the Royal Rangers. Now, the Assemblies of God—who heads up the group—is being criticized for not providing adequate safeguards. We’ll have details…
- Ep. 554: How Does Christianity Grow?
This is a question that should be vital for Christians, especially since the Great Commission makes growing Christianity one of most important concerns. But do we really know? In today’s episode, Warren Smith says we know the answer to thi…
- Ep. 553: Cities Church in Minneapolis, Explaining Family Offices, and Apologia Church Sues Former Member
On today’s program, Cities Church in Minneapolis is considering legal options after protestors stormed its church service Sunday in response to the government’s immigration measures in the city. We’ll have details. And, philanthropists are…
- Ep. 552: A Conversation with GRACE’s New President Laura Thien Organization fights sexual abuse in the church
If you have been a reader of MinistryWatch over the years, you probably know about GRACE. GRACE is an acronym that stands for Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments. GRACE is also a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing…
- Ep. 551: Not All Help Is Helpful Government money often comes with conditions, creates dependency
We know how to solve some of our nation’s most intractable problems, but will we? In this Extra episode, Warren Smith examines President Trump’s decision to cut $2 billion to nonprofits , some of them faith-based organizations, that deal w…
- Ep. 550: Arise Vineyard, Ministry Provides Medical Debt Relief, Baptist Publication Sued for Defamation
On today’s program, the pastor of Arise Vineyard in California has resigned after old allegations resurfaced of inappropriate behavior. We’ll have details. And, medical debt continues to be a growing burden for many American families—but c…
- Ep. 549: A Conversation with Musician, Band Leader, Producer Ben Shive
Regular listeners to MinistryWatch know that one of the things we like to do here is celebrate what I sometimes call the “non-celebrity” Christian leader. We’ve seen so many of the toxic effects of celebrity leadership that we sometimes fo…
- Ep. 548: Sin, Grace, Philip Yancey, and Me
Still, seeing a Christian leader fall is discouraging. For some it can be devastating. That is why thinking deeply about these stories is important, and ultimately good for us and the church. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McInto…
- Ep. 547: Kingdom of God Global Church, Philip Yancey, Mandatory Reporting, Highly Paid Ministry Execs
On today’s program, Kingdom of God Global Church—the church founded and led by self-proclaimed apostle David E. Taylor—is asking the U.S. government to return assets it seized in its investigation against its embattled pastor. We’ll have d…
- Ep. 546: All Things ACNA with Religion News Service’s Kathryn Post
MinistryWatch has published more than 30,000 words about ACNA in the past five years, and many of those words have come from Kathryn Post. Kathryn Post is a reporter for RNS and she has done a great job covering a number of controversies i…