Contact: Ty Mays, ECFA, 770-256-8710, TMays@InChristCommunications.com; Carmen Ringhiser, Church of the Nazarene, 816-333-7000 ext. 2304, CRinghiser@Nazarene.org; Local Nazarene church locator: http://app.nazarene.org/FindAChurch

WINCHESTER, Va., Jan. 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- At a time when some faith-based groups are under scrutiny for their financial operations, one large Protestant denomination – the Church of the Nazarene – has received accreditation by and approved as a member of The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Founded in 1908 and based in Kansas City, Mo., the Church of the Nazarene has more than 1.6 million members in approximately 15,000 churches in 151 different nation-like geographical areas. Membership of nearly 650,000 in the United States constitutes the largest for any one country, although there are more total members outside the United States.

ECFA accreditation is based on seven standards of responsible stewardship, including financial accountability, transparency and ethical fundraising.

The Church of the Nazarene joins more than 2,000 evangelical organizations, churches and educational institutions across America that have earned the right to display the ECFA seal. When an organization is accredited by ECFA, it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability.

"ECFA is extremely pleased that the Church of the Nazarene has been approved as an accredited member," said Kenneth Behr, president of ECFA. "We look forward to providing the general, district and local levels of the church with resources enabling it to advance the Kingdom of God in an even greater way."

"We find great meaning in joining with 2,000 religious organizations for the common cause of holding fast to best practices of financial responsibility," said David P. Wilson, general secretary of the Church of the Nazarene. "Being part of this broader faith community can only enhance the existing standards by which we operate as God's people, who comprise the Church of the Nazarene."

"This membership recognizes the Church of the Nazarene's continued commitment to fiscal responsibility," said Marilyn J. McCool, general treasurer of the denomination. "Considering that generations of generous giving enabled our ministries to reach around the globe, we seek the highest level of financial accountability to our donors. ECFA can provide tools and resources for the general, district and local church to help us be consistent in our understanding of faithful financial stewardship."

The Church of the Nazarene (www.Nazarene.org) supports personnel, local churches, missions and ministries around the world. Ministries include schools, literature, discipleship training, hospitals and clinics, development programs and disaster relief efforts. The message of Jesus Christ is also shared with through multimedia efforts. Construction is underway in nearby Lenexa, Kan., for the Global Ministry Center, which will serve as the administrative hub of the global church.

ECFA, founded in 1979, provides accreditation to evangelical Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with established standards for financial accountability, fund-raising and board governance. For more information about ECFA, including information about accreditation and a listing of ECFA-accredited members, visit www.ECFA.org or call 1-800-323-9473.