2008 Christian Executive Pay: Rusty Leonard and Wall Watchers (Part 10 of 10)

by Bernie Dehler

I recently published the 2008 salary survey for the biggest 20 (self-described) Christian media ministries (click here to see). In part 4 of my series, I wrote about my great disappointment in Ken Behr, the President of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) (click here to read the article). I said he wasn't do his job well enough. And because of his failure, I have to interrupt my ministry in order to bring to light these problems.

Today I got an email from Rusty Leonard, who is known for starting Wall Watchers (click here to see his website). He is another person who is doing what I'm doing, only more of it. I really applaud him, and am grateful for his work.

Rusty has a video of an interview he did with John Stossel for 20/20 (shown 3-23-07), on the topic of the extravagant televangelists. It is eye-opening and vital that Christians see this, so the duping from these televangelists will stop. I'm convinced that once these televangelists are exposed, their money supply will dry-up and they'll leave. They can only survive in a climate of ignorance. Click here to see his website, and click on the 20/20 video in the upper right of his webpage (the video is only 7 minutes but packed with great info).

In watching this video you'll see why I spend time on these "Christian corruption" issues. Not only are these televangelists "shearing the sheep" and abusing them financially, but the victims tend to be the most uneducated and financially needy. That means the televangelists are hurting the very ones who need Christ's help the most.

I just now visited the Ministry Watch website and looked at some of their articles. I have to tell you I am even more impressed with their writing, and their lack of fear. It makes me more upset that the group who should be really doing this work, ECFA, isn't. ECFA is such a marshmallow! And how unfortunate, because they are in effect not using all their God-given capabilities, supposedly simply because they lack the guts to do what they should be doing (confronting abusers, as Ministry Watch is doing).

Rusty- God bless you, your ministry, and thank you much for the work you are doing for the Kingdom of God. Readers, I hope you support Ministry Watch, as they are doing a vital job. It seems to me that ECFA is doing a mediocre luke-warm job; and I hope my writing spurs them on to do what they should be doing.

I also read on the Wall Watchers website that they were rejected when applying for membership with ECFA. Another sign of deep lameness for ECFA, in my opinion. Here is what Wall Watchers says:

Why is Wall Watchers not a member of the ECFA?
Wall Watchers applied to the ECFA to become a member, however the application was rejected for the following reasons:

1. The denial of Wall Watchers application for ECFA membership was based on a difference in philosophy concerning the rating of ministries, not because Wall Watchers could not meet ECFA's Standards.

2. The ECFA Board concluded that Wall Watchers' pursuit of its objectives as a member of the ECFA could create divisiveness within the membership of the ECFA.

Wall Watchers' understands the reasons for the ECFA's decision, but does not necessarily agree with the conclusions drawn. Wall Watchers' hopes that in time the ministry's efforts will help to dispel those concerns allowing for reconsideration of its application at a later date.

Note: To learn more about Rusty, click here.

By the way, it looks to me like Wall Watchers and Rusty Leonard would like to be associated with ECFA, so they aren't really saying anything bad about ECFA. I have no desire to put friendship before scandal, and have no problem with identifying problems wherever I see them. I wish both Rusty and ECFA the best and hope they both do their jobs to the fullest, although I think that if ECFA was doing its job correctly, there'd be no need for Wall Watchers. But since ECFA isn't, and shows no leaning towards doing more, Wall Watchers is definitley filling a needed gap.

Comments

[jon]

"I said he wasn't do his job well enough."

As a writer, I would say the same of you.

[Bernie of FreeGoodNews.com]

Hi Jon-

When I claim someone isn't doing their job, I gave details as to why I thought that. If you don't think I'm doing my job well enough, please provide the details so the reader can make up their own mind. Unlike those I criticize, I'm open to public dialogue.

...Bernie