MinistryWatch Podcast
by Warren Smith and Natasha Smith
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
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Ep. 660: Life Surge Settles, Samuel Sey, Multi-Site Churches, Highland Park Methodist Church
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...
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Ep. 659: ENCORE: A Conversation with Charlie Peacock
A couple of years ago, Warren Cole Smith had a conversation with Charlie Peacock. Warren is away on a reporting trip, and Charlie has a new book out, a novel, called Once Concealed, Now Revealed. So we thought it would be the perfect time to have an “encore performance” of that interview. If you...
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Ep. 658: Andy Stanley Steps Down, Liberty University Launches Liberty LIFE, Historic Church Burns Down
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...
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Ep. 657: Medication Abortions, Christianity Today, Narnia, Museum of the Bible
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...
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Ep. 656: Museum of the Bible’s New Chapter with Carlos Campo
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...
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Ep. 655: Calvary Chapel Pays Huge Settlement, Clergy Act Passes, Top Anti-Trafficking Ministries
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...
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Ep. 654: Operation Blessing, Surveying Polls, Developments in Christian Higher Ed, and More
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)...
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Ep. 653: Leadership Challenges at Evangelicalism’s Flagship Publication
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.
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Ep. 652: Sean Feucht, Jim Bakker, and Victor Marx
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...
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Ep. 651: What Does Fat Bear Week Have To Do With MinistryWatch?
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...
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Ep. 650: Bonnie Kristian in Defense of Evangelicalism
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...
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Ep. 649: Tim Tebow, Craig Groeschel, Heather Thompson Day, David Sills/SBC Lawsuit
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…
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Ep. 648: Mythbusting with Ryan Burge, Americans are Turning Away from Social Media, and Cru’s 75th Birthday
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…
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Ep. 647 : Mark Whitacre and the God of Second Chances
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...
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Ep. 646: Doug Wilson, Zoning Laws and Ministries, New Anti-Trafficking Credentialing Program
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...
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Ep. 645: Prosperity Gospel, Dolly Parton, and The Rabbit Room
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...
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Ep. 644: Want to Repair a Tear in our Culture: Endow a Journalism School
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...
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Ep. 643: Al Mohler and Blasphemy Laws, Sean Feucht, Burk Parsons,
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...
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Ep. 642: Steve Wood on Trial, Voice of the Martyrs Accusations, Samaritan’s Purse’s Low Ratings
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…
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Ep. 641: A Conversation with Celebrity Evangelist Dylan Novak
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…
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Ep. 640: ACNA, Global Methodist Church, Southern Baptist Pastor Pay
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...
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Ep. 639: Christian Education’s Way Forward
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...
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Ep. 638: Samaritan’s Purse Declines $300-M, G3 Shuts Down, Churches and Disabilities, Loving Our Muslim Neighbor
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...
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Ep. 637: Unpacking The “American Experiment,” Christian Higher Ed, and Mechanized Ministry
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...
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Ep. 636: A Few Thoughts About the Chip Edgar Controversy in the ACNA
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...
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Ep. 635: Gateway Church, Free Burma Rangers, James Robison’s LIFE Outreach International
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…
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Ep. 634: SBC Baptisms, and the Cost of Ignoring Financial Red Flags
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...
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Ep. 633: Author, Playwright, and Rabbit Room Publisher Pete Peterson
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...
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Ep. 632: Johnny Hunt Lawsuit Dismissed, United Methodists Sue One of its Churches, and an Arizona Church is Embezzled
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...
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Ep. 631: A Few Reflections on the 225th birthday of the Second Great Awakening
In August of 1801 — 225 years ago this month — a great religious movement swept the country brought with it the phenomenon of the camp meeting. The famous Cane Ridge, Kentucky, meetings of that summer attracted as many as 10,000 people — at a time when Lexington, Kentucky’s largest city, had less...
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Ep. 630: Christian Ministries Get $2-B in Gov’t Funds, SBC Faces New Lawsuit, New India Regs Impact Ministry
On today’s program, the State Department funnels $2 billion to Christian ministries to provide health and humanitarian aid in more than a dozen countries. We’ll have details. And, new regulations make it harder for Christian ministries to operate in India — but one ministry we talked with remains...
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Ep. 629: Christian Ministries To Receive $2-Billion in Foreign Aid, Remembering Bonhoeffer
Here are links to some of the stories mentioned in today’s episode: Christianity Today reports that “after making deep cuts in global health, food assistance, and other foreign aid based on allegations of fraud and abuse in USAID, the Trump administration announced $2 billion in humanitarian-aid...
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Ep. 628: The Founder of The Master’s Program Bob Shank
Today my guest is Bob Shank, a businessman, pastor, entrepreneur, mentor and author who has spent much of his life helping Christian leaders think differently about what it means to live a significant life. Bob began his career in the construction business, where he spent 14 years as an...
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Ep. 627: EPC Split, New Charges in Pawley’s Island Case, 50 Largest Media Ministries
On today’s program, a fifth person is arrested after a South Carolina church allowed a registered sex offender to work near children, and hid it from parents. We’ll have details. Plus, at least two new breakoff denominations are forming over divisions within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church....
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Ep. 626: Are Data Centers of the Devil?
In today’s extra episode, Christina Darnell and Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” Here are some links to resources mentioned in today’s episode: According to The Conversation, “A trove of recent…
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Ep. 625: Inside America’s Megachurches
For more than two decades, if you wanted to know what was really happening inside America's megachurches, one name has consistently risen to the top: Dr. Warren Bird. Along with sociologist Scott Thumma, Bird has conducted the most comprehensive longitudinal research ever undertaken on the…
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Ep. 624: Camp Mystic, Focus on the Family, Fount Church Pastor Departs
On today’s program, a Florida mom has been sentenced to prison after impersonating the father of a Camp Mystic flood victim. She used that fake identity to launch a GoFundMe campaign. We’ll have details. Plus, Focus on the Family launches the search for its next president. Jim Daly’s retirement…
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Ep. 623: Lancaster Bible College, Planned Parenthood, Theo of Golden, and More
In today’s extra episode, Christina Darnell talks with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” They include: Lancaster Bible College has been reaccredited. Planned Parenthood releases its annual report. You…
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Ep. 622: Judge Sides with Second Baptist Houston, Paige Patterson Case Settles, UMC Crosshairs
On today’s program, a judge sides with Texas megachurch Second Baptist Houston in a lawsuit brought by current and former members. The judge says the constitutional principle of religious freedom shields the church — but the plaintiffs’ attorney says that should not be a get-out-of-jail free…
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Ep. 621: Reimagining Retirement, Remembering J.I. Packer
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.” Today, we discuss retirement, biblical generosity, and the legacy of J.I. Packer. If you have not discovered our YouTube channel,...
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Ep. 620: Reforming Donor Advised Funds
Donor-advised funds (DAFs) may be the greatest innovation in American philanthropy in the last generation. DAFs solve real problems. They allow donors to contribute appreciated assets without triggering capital gains taxes. They simplify recordkeeping. They help families think strategically about...
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Ep. 619: “Free Saeed” Pastor Loses Custody Battle, Greg Locke, Michael Youssef
On today’s program, pastor and former religious liberty celebrity Saeed Abedini loses the custody battle over his 5-year-old daughter after being accused of abducting the child from her mother. We’ll have details. And, embattled pastor Greg Locke tells his church that federal investigators…
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Ep. 618: The Great Wealth Transfer, Evangelical-Catholic Movement, Support for Israel, John Calvin
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,...
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Ep. 617: Remembering Houston Christian University’s Robert Sloan
On today’s EXTRA episode, I share some thoughts about my friend Robert Sloan, who served for a decade as president of Baylor University and then two decades as president of Houston Christian University. To read a written version of this episode, click here. To read Houston Christian University’s...
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Ep. 616: OUR’s Tim Ballard, Child Safety at Christian Schools, Our Annual “Withhold Giving” List
On today’s program, one of the women accusing Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard of sexual misconduct has been dropped from the case for gathering evidence illegally. We’ll have details. Plus, a hard look at child safety policies at Christian schools. What actually happens when a...
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Ep. 615: Building Trust, European vs. American Evangelicals, He Gets Us, Remembering Robert Sloan
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,...
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Ep. 614: A Conversation with Malcolm Guite
If you've spent much time in the worlds of poetry, faith, or the imagination, you've almost certainly encountered the work of Malcolm Guite. He's one of those rare figures who moves comfortably between the academy, the church, and the arts. Guite is an Anglican priest, acclaimed poet,...
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Ep. 613: The Revival Myth Persists, NPR Blunder, Texas Schools Bible Readings, iPhone Degrees
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,...
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Ep. 612: Is America Experiencing A Revival? George Barna Has His Doubts
Evangelical Christians should earnestly hope for, pray for, and work for revival. Maybe that’s why we’re always looking for and too often declaring, with only limited evidence, that revival has broken out. We want it to be true, so we declare it to be true with just the slightest encouragement.…
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Ep. 611: Truett McConnell University, Ed Young, Saeed Abedini, Barnabas Aid
On today’s program, a former Truett McConnell president is suing, claiming the university breached his employment contract when it fired him amid claims that he mishandled sexual abuse allegations. We’ll take a look. And, Ed Young retired as pastor of Second Baptist Church of Houston after nearly...
About this show
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.
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Warren Smith and Natasha Smith
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