James 1:6 writes, "he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
The words "blown and tossed by the wind" best describe World Vision US of late.
The Apostasy
A few days ago, World Vision US changed its long-standing policies on employment and Employee Standards of Conduct to "allow a Christian in a legal same-sex marriage to be employed at World Vision".
In light of the fact that several mainline denominations of the United States have endorsed same-sex marriage, World Vision US's move was purportedly meant to keep its practice of "deferring to church authority" in the lives of its staff, "to treat all of [its] employees equally", and to prevent the "divisive issue" of same-sex marriage from "tearing World Vision apart and potentially crippling [its] ability to accomplish [its] vital kingdom mission of loving and serving the poorest of the poor in the name of Christ."
In light of the fact that several mainline denominations of the United States have endorsed same-sex marriage, World Vision US's move was purportedly meant to keep its practice of "deferring to church authority" in the lives of its staff, "to treat all of [its] employees equally", and to prevent the "divisive issue" of same-sex marriage from "tearing World Vision apart and potentially crippling [its] ability to accomplish [its] vital kingdom mission of loving and serving the poorest of the poor in the name of Christ."
In spite of its claim that it "[has] not endorsed same sex marriage" and that it continues "to expect abstinence before marriage and fidelity within marriage for all staff", Jennifer LeClaire rightly points out that "World Vision appears to be acknowledging that practicing homosexuals can call themselves Christians". This is obviously incompatible with Scripture.
World Vision US's sin is not merely apostasy, but deceit.
An organisation like World Vision US which claims to be Christian but is "blown and tossed by the wind" should not think it will receive anything from the Lord or His followers.
The Reversal
World Vision US's move was met with a massive backlash from Christians. Franklin Graham, son of famous evangelist Billy Graham, wrote in a statement, "World Vision maintains that their decision is based on unifying the church – which I find offensive – as if supporting sin and sinful behavior can unite the church." Others who criticised World Vision include Michael Brown, Albert Mohler, and the Family Research Council. On behalf of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, general superintendent George O. Wood exhorted Christians to stop funding World Vision.
Two days later, World Vision US made a quick about-turn, releasing the following statement:
Dear Friends,
Today, the World Vision U.S. board publicly reversed its recent decision to change our national employment conduct policy. The board acknowledged they made a mistake and chose to revert to our longstanding conduct policy requiring sexual abstinence for all single employees and faithfulness within the Biblical covenant of marriage between a man and a woman.
We are writing to you our trusted partners and Christian leaders who have come to us in the spirit of Matthew 18 to express your concern in love and conviction. You share our desire to come together in the Body of Christ around our mission to serve the poorest of the poor. We have listened to you and want to say thank you and to humbly ask for your forgiveness.
In our board’s effort to unite around the church’s shared mission to serve the poor in the name of Christ, we failed to be consistent with World Vision U.S.’s commitment to the traditional understanding of Biblical marriage and our own Statement of Faith, which says, “We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.” And we also failed to seek enough counsel from our own Christian partners. As a result, we made a change to our conduct policy that was not consistent with our Statement of Faith and our commitment to the sanctity of marriage.
We are brokenhearted over the pain and confusion we have caused many of our friends, who saw this decision as a reversal of our strong commitment to Biblical authority. We ask that you understand that this was never the board’s intent. We are asking for your continued support. We commit to you that we will continue to listen to the wise counsel of Christian brothers and sisters, and we will reach out to key partners in the weeks ahead.
While World Vision U.S. stands firmly on the biblical view of marriage, we strongly affirm that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, are created by God and are to be loved and treated with dignity and respect.
Please know that World Vision continues to serve all people in our ministry around the world. We pray that you will continue to join with us in our mission to be “an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice, and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.”
Sincerely in Christ,
Richard Stearns, President
Jim Beré, Chairman of the World Vision U.S. Board
While this is a welcome development, there is good reason to remain hugely sceptical. What led to the change? Was it the backlash? Was it money?
Clearly Scripture and its own Statement of Faith alone did not deter it from its initial apostasy and compromise. Indeed, its original reasons reflected a deeper apostasy – a double-mindedness which followed the winds of the world rather than the Word of God.
Distancing instead of Rebuking: World Vision Singapore's response
World Vision Singapore has taken note
of the reversal by World Vision US, adding that "World Vision
Singapore would also like to reassure you that our core values and
ministry to serve the poor have not and will not change." However, the
following lines in its statement remain deeply problematic:
World Vision Singapore and its staff are committed to upholding our Christian values of the heterosexual family as a pillar of society. As a World Vision office, we are independent of World Vision US and any other country offices, and we make decisions that are relevant to our societal context and uphold our values.
The reference to "societal context" bears the same relativistic tenor as
World Vision US's misguided idea of "deferring to church authority".
The lack of public rebuke is also glaring. World Vision
Singapore is apparently distancing itself from World Vision US by
asserting "independence" and "context".
Jesus taught in Matthew 18:15, "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over."
Likewise, Paul taught:
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 5:1-2)
Is this the attitude one holds towards a brother who sins?
Why it will take a while before I support World Vision again – yes, even World Vision Singapore
The apostasy of World Vision US is an example of how quickly and easily Christians can be "blown and tossed by the wind", conforming to the ways of the world rather than effecting transformation. Fortunately, World Vision US has reversed its decision, but the reasons for its reversal remain highly doubtful and there are good reasons to be sceptical.
On the other hand, World Vision Singapore risks yet another problem. It is an attitude of indifference towards the sins of one's own brothers.
It will take a while before I support World Vision again – yes, even World Vision Singapore.
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