Episodes

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 the...

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 m...

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 f...

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 ...

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, ...

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 Con...

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 thr...

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 transc...

On today’s program, the college founded by Doug Wilson is in a zoning battle with the city of Moscow, Idaho — and it may be part of a larger trend. We’ll have details. And, a new credentialing program looks to close the gap in the world of anti-trafficking — equipping survivors to support other survivors. We’ll take a look. Plus, Liberty University reclaims the top spot as the biggest user of private aircraft — it’s our latest edition of Pastors & Planes. But first, a Christian recovery ministr...

Bad behavior comes from all directions. We are, after all, human. So no institution is immune from The Fall. That said, a lot of the stories we cover that include scandal or fraud seem to come from those who advocate for The Prosperity Gospel. Today, Christina and Warren point you to a great resource to learn more about this branch of evangelical Christianity. We also take a close look at Dolly Parton’s philanthropy. A new study by the Independent Sector shows nonprofit organizations remain th...

The uber-rich support the strangest things. Between 2001 and 2004, one of the Home Depot founders, Bernie Marcus, gave $255 million to fund the Georgia Aquarium. Joan Kroc gave $200 million to fund National Public Radio in 2003. Even in the Christian realm, I sometimes scratch my head. Donors to the He Gets Us campaign have spent an estimated $775 million.(Between 2021–2024: $429.8 million spent by the Signatry/Servant Foundation on He Gets Us, according to IRS disclosures. In 2024, the operati...

On today’s program, Southern Baptist seminary leader Al Mohler walks back statements he made in support of blasphemy laws — which would mean punishing people for denying God’s role in the foundation of America. We’ll have details. Plus, Sean Feucht succeeds in getting a lawsuit against him dismissed — for now. We’ll take a look. And, ministry leaders overestimate revenue growth — and underestimate declines. We’ll go over results from our latest survey of ministry executives. But first, Warren...

Below is a script for today’s podcast. Links to resources mentioned in the episode are included in the script. 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 The trial of Anglican Archbishop Steve Wood concluded ...

Today we’re talking with Dylan Novak, a man who has built an unusual career at the intersection of evangelism, celebrity culture, and social media. Novak is an evangelist who has become known for taking the Christian message into places where traditional evangelism rarely goes—particularly into the world of entertainment. He has developed relationships with actors, musicians, athletes, influencers and other public figures, using those relationships as opportunities to talk openly about Jesus Ch...

On today’s program, the Anglican Church in North America faces its first ever trial of a sitting archbishop. He is accused of abuse of church power and sexual immorality. We’ll have details. And, the Global Methodist Church — who split off from the United Methodist Church four years ago — just wrapped up its second General Conference. We’ll take a look. Plus, a new study finds that Southern Baptist pastor pay has stalled since 2024 — and almost two-thirds of churches don’t provide medical insu...

MinistryWatch has written extensively about the troubles facing Christian higher education. On today’s program, we discuss new data from on college enrollment. Our conclusion: these new data – which show a slight increase in enrollment — are interesting, they do not erase the very real troubles facing higher education in the years ahead. Here are some link to resources mentioned in today’s podcast: “Rumors of Christian higher education’s (CHE’s) demise have been greatly exaggerated,” so says P...

On today’s program, Samaritan’s Purse declines a $300 million grant from a Trump funding package. The ministry says it is relying on God, not the government. But, it has accepted government money in the past. So what’s different this time? Plus, a recent Lifeway study says most pastors feel their churches are welcoming to people with disabilities — but are they? We spoke with advocates and families who say churches still have a ways to go. And, a recently proposed mosque in Texas is drawing pr...

On today’s program: Given that this is the 250th birthday of America, there’s been a lot written about what the “American Experiment” is all about. As well as a lot of speculation about what it means to live in a Christian nation, and whether we are now or ever have been a Christian nation. Paul Miller, a contributing writer for The Dispatch, has written an excellent essay on the topic. You can find it here. Warren interviewed Miller in 2022 for his WORLD Magazine podcast “Listening In.” You can...

Another controversy has erupted in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). This one involves the bishop of South Carolina, Chip Edgar. On Aug. 18, Edgar participated in the dedication of a chapel at the exclusive Porter-Gaud School in Charleston alongside Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, the Episcopal bishop of South Carolina. That dedication included Edgar and Woodliff-Stanley participating in a communion service together. Photos of the two of them, side by side in their vestments, sharing communion...

On today’s program, Gateway Church wins its appeal to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by child sexual abuse survivor Cindy Clemishire. We’ll have details. Plus, frontline missionaries with Free Burma Rangers are helping Burmese villagers clear landmines and reclaim their homes, one field at a time. We’ll take a look. And, LIFE Outreach International unseats Liberty University as this months’ top user of private aircraft. It’s the latest in our latest Pastors & Planes series. But first, a...

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.” They include: John MacArthur’s replacement has been named. WORLD and other news outlets are reporting that “Grace Community Church in California affirmed a new senior pastor, more than a year after the death of renowned theologian John MacArthur. World Compassion Terry Law Ministries has a new name. Another sports gambling trage...

Today we’re talking with Pete Peterson, a man who has spent much of his career at the intersection of story, faith, theater, and the arts. Pete is a playwright, publisher, and one of the central figures in The Rabbit Room since its earliest days, working with his brother Andrew Peterson to turn a small online community into a thriving center for books, music, theater, and other arts. The Rabbit Room has grown from a small experiment in creative community into a remarkable organization encompass...

On today’s program, a federal judge has dismissed the last remaining claim in Johnny Hunt’s defamation lawsuit, marking the end of a contentious legal battle. He had sued the Southern Baptist Convention and others back in 2023. And, a Texas church is sued by the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church over its bylaw changes. Plus, water filters open doors to share the gospel with vulnerable people around the world. But first, a story out of Tucson, Arizona. Warren, tell us what...