Established accountability groups certainly have their place and serve a worthwhile service to certain not-for-profit groups. However, Benny Hinn Ministries, along with many larger media-oriented ministries, has chosen not to be part of these groups which are geared more toward more traditional-type churches and ministries.

Some groups, for example, focus on comparing, ranking, and giving information in areas that include efficiency and transparency. Since these rating systems are often based on financial data derived from each organization’s IRS Form 990 or audited financial statements, in theory this should put the charities on a level playing field.

Theories don’t always work, and financial statements can be interpreted many different ways, especially since there are many intangibles that cannot be measured. Efficiency of operation, for example, is very, very different from effectiveness of mission. Ministries, as with corporations, may have excellent financial and efficiency ratings, yet aren’t necessarily effective on a long-term basis. It is especially challenging to evaluate ratios, numerical performance, and ministry criteria in the nonprofit sector.

It is ironic, though seldom mentioned in mainstream media reports, that many of these watchdog groups—undoubtedly well-meaning and ostensibly created for the purpose of monitoring and policing the financial activities of other not-for-profit ministries—seldom are able to come to agreement on how to effectively evaluate a ministry’s financial integrity. This fact alone illustrates the inherent limitations of such organizations.