After a Storm of Criticism, World Vision US Reverses Decision to Hire Christians in Same-Sex Marriages

Dan Wooding : Mar 26, 2014
Assist News Service

President Richard Stearns, says: "Certain beliefs are so core to our Trinitarian faith that we must take a strong stand on those beliefs."

(Federal Way, WA)—Following a storm of criticism from many evangelical leaders, and only two days after announcing it would hire Christians in same-sex marriages, World Vision U.S. has reversed its ground-breaking decision.

This was revealed today (Wednesday, March 26, 2014) in a Christianity Today (CT) story just released by Celeste Gracey and Jeremy Weber.

"The last couple of days have been painful," president Richard Stearns told reporters this evening. "We feel pain and a broken heart for the confusion we caused for many friends who saw this policy change as a strong reversal of World Vision's commitment to Biblical authority, which it was not intended to be."

"Rather than creating more unity [among Christians], we created more division, and that was not the intent," said Stearns. "Our board acknowledged that the policy change we made was a mistake …and we believe that [World Vision supporters] helped us to see that with more clarity …and we're asking you to forgive us for that mistake."

"We listened to [our] friends, we listened to their counsel. They tried to point out in loving ways that the conduct policy change was simply not consistent …with the authority of Scripture and how we apply Scripture to our lives," said Stearns. "We did inadequate consultation with our supporters. If I could have a do-over on one thing, I would have done much more consultation with Christian leaders."

"What we are affirming today is there are certain beliefs that are so core to our Trinitarian faith that we must take a strong stand on those beliefs," said Stearns. "We cannot defer to a small minority of churches and denominations that have taken a different position."

"Yes, we will certainly defer on many issues that are not so central to our understanding of the Christian faith," he said. "But on the authority of Scripture in our organization's work [and employee conduct] ...and on marriage as an institution ordained by God between a man and a woman—those are age-old and fundamental Christian beliefs. We cannot defer on things that are that central to the faith."

The CT story went on to say that Stearns expects the board to continue to deal with questions about employment and same-sex relationships.

"I think every Christian organization will continue to deal with this sensitive issue," he said. "The board will continue to talk about this issue for many board meetings to come. ...We need to have a process to do further and wider consultation with key Christian leaders around the country, and we will be discussing how that can happen."

The story then said, that the initial decision faced heavy backlash from the evangelical community with only some voicing support for the decision. The day after the announcement was made, the Assemblies of God, one of America's largest and fastest-growing denominations, urged its members to consider dropping their financial support from World Vision and instead "gradually shifting" it to "Pentecostal and evangelical charities that maintain Biblical standards of sexual morality."

"The U.S. branch of World Vision has placed Pentecostal and evangelical churches in a difficult position," said George O. Wood, general superintendent of the three-million-member AG. "On the one hand, we applaud the work they do among the poor in America and around the world, and many churches have supported that work financially for some time. On the other hand, World Vision's policy change now puts them at odds with our beliefs regarding sexual morality."

Stearns acknowledged Wednesday [March 26] that "a number" of child sponsors canceled their sponsorship in the past 48 hours in protest of the change to World Vision's conduct policy.

"That grieves us, because the children we serve will suffer because of that," he told reporters. "But our choice is not about money or income. It's a sincere desire for us to do the right thing. To be consistent with our core values, and to respond to the legitimate feedback and counsel we have received from supporters and friends of World Vision."

The CT story concluded by saying, "World Vision [U.S.] had hoped to take what it described as a neutral position in the gay marriage debate by deferring it to the local church. The changed policy still required singles to remain abstinent and married couples to maintain fidelity, but no longer limited marriage to heterosexuals."

Since the news of the reversal came out, Assemblies of God leader, George O. Wood, has issued a statement welcoming the turn-around.

Issued via A. Larry Ross Communications, it said, "On behalf of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, I am writing to express appreciation for the prompt decision of the World Vision U.S. board to reaffirm its commitment to a Biblical understanding of marriage as the lifelong covenant between a man and a woman, and to reverse the policy change, announced Monday, that would have allowed World Vision employees in the U.S. to enter same-sex marriages.

"Scripture teaches us that when fellow Christians have repented, their brothers and sisters should ‘forgive and comfort’ so that they will not be ‘overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.’ Moreover, it teaches us to ‘reaffirm your love’ for them (2 Corinthians 2:7–8). The World Vision U.S. board has done this promptly and openly, so we ought to reaffirm our love and support for them promptly and openly too.

"I therefore encourage Assemblies of God churches and individuals to continue supporting World Vision with prayers and finances, along with other Pentecostal and evangelical charities that have similar humanitarian missions. I especially encourage Pentecostals and evangelicals who hastily canceled their sponsorship of children in World Vision programs to immediately reinstate that support in order to ensure continuity of care for the poor children whom Christ loves."

Wood then added, "Unfortunately, some voices in the media have portrayed the Assemblies of God's concern about same-sex marriage as a lack of concern for the poor. This is not true. The Assemblies of God is deeply concerned for the poor. Partnering with national Assemblies of God churches, our missionaries worldwide are engaged in helping orphans, widows, and the victims of human trafficking. They dig wells for those without access to adequate water and provide mosquito nets to those in danger of malaria. They provide food and education for children in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Moreover, we partner with and are grateful for organizations that reach out to alleviate suffering and meet human need.

"We are deeply concerned with human rights. But we are also deeply concerned with the human right to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the love, grace, and life-transforming power of God to everyone who believes. It is this Gospel that motivates everything we do.

"The controversy with World Vision has been resolved. Let us, therefore, move forward together in service to the last, the lost, and the least who are loved by Jesus Christ!"