Fellowship for the Performing Arts, Inc. 
Summary
Fellowship for the Performing Arts, Inc. ("FPA") is a ministry whose mission is to penetrate the culture through the performing arts with the Word of God and to present the Bible and the biblical worldview in the marketplace of ideas by: informing the mind, inspiring the heart, and drawing people to God as creator and redeemer. Each year FPA works with theater companies, college fine arts series, performing arts venues, churches, radio and television stations to present compelling theatrical productions from the Bible. FPA also produces inspiring audio and video recordings of its theatrical presentations as well as a daily radio program of dramatic Scripture readings that can be heard on over 500 radio facilities on six continents. This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Contact information
Mailing address:
1 High Street Court
Morristown, NJ 07960-7960
Website: www.listenersbible.com
Phone: (973) 984-3400
Email: info@listenersbible.com
Organization details
EIN: 521739276
CEO/President: Mr. Max McLean
Chairman: Mr. Ron Joelson
Board size: 6
Founder:
Year founded: 1991
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 03/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1996
Purpose
Fellowship for the Performing Arts, Inc. ("FPA") is a ministry whose mission is to penetrate the culture through the performing arts with the Word of God and to present the Bible and the biblical worldview in the marketplace of ideas by: informing the mind, inspiring the heart, and drawing people to God as creator and redeemer. FPA sponsors non-commercial historical and inspirational theatre productions at colleges, universities, theaters, houses of worship, prisons and conferences.
FPA presents performances of various books of the Old and New Testament. In addition to live performances, FPA produces a nationally syndicated, daily radio program and audio and video recordings of its theatrical presentations that can be heard throughout the world. This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Mission statement
FPA exists to glorify God by presenting the Bible through the performing arts in the marketplace of ideas.
Statement of faith
Fellowship for the Performing Arts uses the following to communicate its values:
Nicene Creed
ECFA Statement of Faith
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Christian Growth
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 516 of 576 | 54 of 56 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 533 of 576 | 54 of 56 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 513 of 576 | 48 of 56 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 285 of 576 | 27 of 56 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 25% | 23% | 21% | 22% | 34% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 15% | 14% | 13% | 12% | 13% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 94% | 60% | 61% | 61% | 53% | 40% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 17% | 14% | 14% | 16% | 13% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 6% | 40% | 39% | 39% | 47% | 60% |
| Operating ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 69% | 73% | 71% | 78% | 83% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 87% | 104% | 94% | 73% | 103% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 60% | 76% | 67% | 57% | 86% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 13% | -4% | 6% | 27% | -3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 15% | -4% | 7% | 35% | -6% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 14% | 13% | 15% | 6% | 4% |
| Investing ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.10 | 0.96 | 1.11 | 0.97 | 0.91 | 1.63 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.65 | 1.02 | 1.06 | 1.37 | 1.99 | 1.39 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.19 | 0.98 | 1.17 | 1.33 | 1.81 | 2.28 |
| Liquidity ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.94 | 40.87 | 19.07 | 13.93 | 21.78 | 5.19 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.10 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.19 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.71 | 12.00 | 9.70 | 8.40 | 6.32 | 4.26 |
| Solvency ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 3% | 5% | 5% | 2% | 14% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 74% | 102% | 86% | 98% | 107% | 53% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Cash | $5,231,493 | $4,195,148 | $2,590,649 | $1,378,262 | $1,659,500 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $401,784 | $518,789 | $1,253,974 | $1,058,156 | $518,676 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $5,633,277 | $4,713,937 | $3,844,623 | $2,436,418 | $2,178,176 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $104,427 | $1,040,376 | $1,986,891 | $407,654 |
| Fixed assets | $107,921 | $179,581 | $326,109 | $287,753 | $380,536 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $41,216 | $134,085 | $70,772 |
| Total long-term assets | $107,921 | $284,008 | $1,407,701 | $2,408,729 | $858,962 |
| Total assets | $5,741,198 | $4,997,945 | $5,252,324 | $4,845,147 | $3,037,138 |
| Liabilities | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $137,830 | $247,144 | $276,084 | $111,866 | $419,609 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $137,830 | $247,144 | $276,084 | $111,866 | $419,609 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $14,153 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $14,153 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $151,983 | $247,144 | $276,084 | $111,866 | $419,609 |
| Net assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Unrestricted | $5,431,077 | $4,536,049 | $4,150,548 | $3,968,430 | $2,907,095 |
| Temporarily restricted | $158,138 | $214,752 | $825,692 | $764,851 | $191,465 |
| Permanently restricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $5,589,215 | $4,750,801 | $4,976,240 | $4,733,281 | $2,617,529 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Total contributions | $3,781,008 | $3,269,667 | $3,322,611 | $3,226,162 | $1,911,547 |
| Program service revenue | $2,481,718 | $2,056,642 | $2,015,723 | $2,618,317 | $2,670,980 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $37,023 | ($5,812) | $14,477 | $2,539 | $3,115 |
| Other revenue | $22,338 | $14,321 | $78,926 | $204,535 | $226,809 |
| Total other revenue | $2,541,079 | $2,065,151 | $2,109,126 | $2,825,391 | $2,900,904 |
| Total revenue | $6,322,087 | $5,334,818 | $5,431,737 | $6,051,553 | $4,812,451 |
| Expenses | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Program services | $3,791,035 | $4,030,892 | $3,612,615 | $3,459,954 | $4,118,520 |
| Management and general | $750,240 | $737,131 | $771,499 | $259,221 | $198,067 |
| Fundraising | $952,612 | $756,082 | $711,795 | $697,657 | $641,417 |
| Total expenses | $5,493,887 | $5,524,105 | $5,095,909 | $4,416,832 | $4,958,004 |
| Change in net assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $828,200 | ($189,287) | $335,828 | $1,634,721 | ($145,553) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $828,200 | ($189,287) | $335,828 | $1,634,721 | ($145,553) |
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
History
Fellowship for the Performing Arts ("FPA") came from Max McLean's vision to use the skills and techniques developed in the theatre to communicate the Bible. Max McLean spent years studying, memorizing, and meditating on the Scriptures in order to share its power.
In 1991 FPA was incorporated in Morristown, NJ and in 1992 received its tax exempt status. In 1996 FPA was accepted as a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and continues to operate in accordance with the criteria of ECFA membership.