CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Wall Watchers, an organization that analyzes financial statements from Christian nonprofits to help donors make wise giving decisions, has released a list of ministries it claims have demonstrated "poor financial transparency."
The publication, Transparency Watch, lists the names of large Christian ministries that received a transparency grade of "D" or "F," according to a news release. The grades are based on the timeliness and quality of ministries' responses to Wall Watchers' requests for financial documents.
A ministry receiving a poor transparency grade is not necessarily doing anything wrong, Wall Watchers' president Chris Hempe said. But donors should consider the ministries' refusal to provide useful financial information a red flag, he said.
Among the ministries demonstrating poor financial transparency, according to Wall Watchers, are:
- Alberto Mottesi Evangelistic Association Inc.
- Amazing Facts
- AnGel Ministries
- Awana Clubs International
- Benny Hinn Ministries/World Outreach Church
- Bible Broadcasting Network
- Breakthrough Ministries
- Catholic Medical Mission Board
- Chinese Christian Mission Inc.
- Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship
- Christian Men's Network Inc.
- Christian Research Institute Inc.
- Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort Inc.
- Crystal Cathedral Ministries
- EAPE/Kingdomworks
- East Gates Ministries International
- Ever Increasing Faith Ministries
- Family Stations Inc.
- Gideons International
- Goad International
- Good Shepherd Services
- Heaven & Home Hour Inc.
- Impact Productions
- International Students Inc.
- Joy of Jesus Inc.
- Jubilee Network/KFUO-AM 850
- Kenneth Copeland Ministries
- Kenneth Hagin Ministries
- Lesea Inc.
- Life in the Word Inc./Joyce Meyer
- Lifechangers Inc.
- Ligonier Ministries Inc.
- Lutheran Hour Ministries
- Maranatha Volunteers International
- March for Jesus USA
- Ministries in Action Inc.
- Mustard Seed Inc.
- Quiet Hour
- Romanian Missionary Society
- Shelter for Life/Shelter Now International
- Sports World Ministries Inc.
- TD Jakes Ministries/Potters House of Dallas Inc.
- The Rutherford Institute
- Trinity Forum Inc.
- Your Story Hour
The list represents only 9 percent of the 475 large Christian ministries currently reviewed by Wall Watchers. Most ministries reviewed "exhibit a good or very good degree of financial transparency," according to the release. The list, updated periodically, is available online.
Founded in 1998, Wall Watchers provides donors with detailed descriptions, financial information, financial efficiency ratings, transparency grades and commentary about the United States' largest ministries.
"Christian ministries who accept hard-earned money from donors seeking to help the weak, feed the poor and bring the gospel to those who have not yet heard it have a moral obligation to set a high standard of openness about their finances," said Rusty Leonard, Wall Watchers' founder and chairman. "They should be setting the example for other nonprofits to follow."
Wall Watchers, based in Matthews, N.C., is a donor-supported nonprofit Christian ministry.
