“We are also concerned that ECFA, after instituting its new Leader Care standard, could, in future years, add other standards outside the scope of financial accountability,” Graham went on to write. He cited as possible examples policing ministry leaders’ social media habits, travel schedules, climate change initiatives, and DEI policies.
Graham further concluded that the new leadership standards were useless against ministry leaders who lie to their spouses, boards, staff members, and accountability partners and thus are not effective in addressing what is “ultimately a sin problem, with its root in the human heart, which only God can fix—not ECFA, even with a mountain of standards.”
In a statement to MinistryWatch, Jake Lapp, vice president of member accountability for ECFA, said, “ECFA was informed that the rationale for these resignations is a lack of agreement with the new Excellence in Leader Care Standard for ECFA-accredited members.”
“While we are disappointed that the leaders of BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse have decided to withdraw from ECFA, we honor their legacy,” ECFA President and CEO Michael Martin told MinistryWatch.
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“Nearly 50 years ago Rev. Billy Graham’s leadership was one of the primary catalysts for ECFA, and these two organizations have served as invaluable partners in the ministry accountability and integrity movement for many years,” added Martin. “We wish them well as they continue to pursue their missions.”
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