Thank you to everyone who prayed together that deceit be removed from inside the walls of Christianity and that the investigation moves forward fairly.

Faith-based nonprofit organizations need to make sure they share power within their organizations and are members of outside accountability groups to ensure they maintain the trust of donors as they move forward in future fundraising efforts, Douglas Shaw, chairman and chief executive officer of Douglas Shaw & Associates Inc., advised here today.

Shaw made the comments in the wake of the inquiry launched by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) of six prominent televangelist ministries for possible financial misconduct. The ministries have been asked to submit financial statements and records to the Senate Finance Committee by Dec. 6.

Douglas Shaw & Associates is a leading fundraising and communications agency that serves national and international nonprofit organizations and ministries.

Shaw urged ministries to join accountability organizations, such as the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability - to make sure their financial integrity is unquestioned.

How all nonprofit organizations will be judged as the Grassley inquiry continues "depends on the openness of the nonprofits and their perceived integrity and reputation," Shaw said.

"Nonprofit organizations must realize their moral obligation exceeds their legal requirements. They must constantly keep in mind their own mission statements and the donors' intent," he said. "If they don't do what they have promised to do, they'll face justified scrutiny."

Shaw warned that ministries involved in the inquiry, as well as some ministries similar to those Grassley is examining, "may take a hit," particularly in the acquisition of new donors, as happened in the 1980s, when the PTL scandal occurred. If Grassley does find wrong-doing, the impact on the six organizations and those like them could be "devastating."

"Nonprofits that are accountable and share power internally should have nothing to worry about as far as how they are viewed by their donors and the public at large," Shaw said.

However, all nonprofits could face increased regulation as a result of the Grassley probe. And the inquiry could further threaten the separation of church and state, Shaw warned.

As for fundraising agencies that assist nonprofits, they must make sure they represent organizations that have both internal and external safeguards, Shaw said.

"We prefer they are a member of an accountability group, such as ECFA or GuideStar," he said. "Our responsibility and reputation are tied to those organizations we assist."

Founded in 1994 and staffed by 60 employees, Douglas Shaw & Associates supports its clients with a Donor-Focused Strategic Marketing® platform by redirecting client communications away from an institutional focus to a donor focus, and making donors and volunteers a vital part of an organization or ministry. DSA clients include: Star of Hope Mission of Houston, Answers in Genesis, Operation Mobilization, Youth for Christ International/U.S., City Mission of Cleveland, Milwaukee Rescue Mission, Ligonier Ministries, Precept Ministries, Moody Church Media and Wycliffe Associates.