World Vision’s Reversal of an Insane Decision

Posted on March 27, 2014 by

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A Double Minded World Vision
I teach an adult Bible class on Wednesday night at Victory Hill Church, Lancaster, OH (www.victoryhill.org). Our subject for the last few weeks has been “What is a Christian?” It has been engaging and challenging to say the least.

We have been targeting the tension in scripture between those of an opposing culture and that of the faith community – the real faith community. When I say “real” I mean that community that pursues Christ as Savior and Lord of their life and tries with all of their might to live a Godly life that testifies of His Lordship. Last week we reviewed an article in Charisma magazine about two lesbians who visited a church with the goal of seeing how the church would respond. The end result is that one of the girls actually committed her life to Christ and is now actively engaged in leadership in the church.

Tonight we went further in to our study by reading Romans chapter one and discussing what a reprobate is. Before we actually looked at Romans one we discussed the news of our day (3.26.14) about World Visions decision to allow their ministry to welcome homosexual marriages as long as the partners were “faithful.” This public announcement by WV obviously went viral immediately. I was appalled at WV’s decision. I couldn’t really believe it when I read it the first time on line. Several thousand people, in response to the announcement, pulled their support. Good for them. They did the right thing. All the good that WV has done didn’t justify the sin of this corporate decision that according to several articles took them “over two years to make.” Seriously? Two years to dismantle a very clear fact in scripture – homosexuality is sin. Pure and simple. No debate necessary. This one is non-negotiable. One look at Romans chapter one will clearly show Holy Writ places this perversion of humanity.

When I got home and started to catch some of the blogs I read it seems that WV has changed their mind. Wow! That was fast. I saw several blogs and postings that shared the letter written by World Vision’s president Richard Stearns. You can read more about the reversal in a well written article titled “ World Vision Reverses Decision on Gay Married Employees: We Made a Mistake” at christianpost.com.

Here are some quotes from the letter which has appeared on several sights:

  • 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 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.”
  • 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.

I’m aware that this decision will be criticized by thousands of people. Both decisions. The original decision and the follow up decision. I am really impressed with the fact that they claimed Matthew 18 in coming to the church at large and asking for forgiveness. Right thing to do when you have made such an incredibly insane decision in the first place.

Now for my two cents worth on the entire issue. Thankfully, WV came to their senses. The “prodigal” came back to the house. Literally. Thank God for this. Here are my bullet point criticisms.

  • The original decision was lauded as one of intense research and study – that took WV over two years to reach. My advice? Find some new advisors. This sheds light on the fact that you can be extremely influenced by those who find truth in unrighteousness. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
  • I appreciate the fact they have asked for forgiveness. But I did notice that this letter covers only the United States World Vision offices. I may be speaking out of line here but what about other countries? Does WV’s reversal on this cover other countries or are they exempt and allowed to entertain homosexual relationships? Just a thought.
  • I appreciate the fact that WV is willing to “listen to wise counsel of Christian brothers and sisters”. My point is that they declared they did this for their original decision. I’m confused here. How does a global organization with this much influence and weight make this kind of insane doctrinal mistake? Am I missing something here? They sought counsel and advise from “Christians” and academicians. It’s hard for me to accept a deep sense of recognizing the error of their ways when they sought spiritual advise in the first place. I am more convinced, as some of you are, that this decision was purely a financial decision. Bottom line is money. With their initial decision they immediately were made aware of how much money they were going to lose. The same board that took two years to make this asinine decision reversed in just hours. Incredibly amazing!

It’s obvious that someone forgot WV’s driving vision statement about the integrity and “infallibility” of scripture. Now this is where the president and board need a refresher course on their own vision and mission statements. Seriously!

I am not a perfect man. There is no such thing. There is not a perfect organization out there…anywhere. The church at large has made some very stupid decisions and will continue to do so. But one thing is for sure – there are organizations that will not compromise the integrity of Holy Writ – for any purpose. Mistakes are made everyday – but to reject or dismiss something so clear and defining as homosexuality being a sin – is insane at best.  WV should sit back and take a long look at their purpose of existence. Their board should be made to review their mission statements – and memorize it.


In a day when the church at large is being placed under a microscope for just about anything we do or believe in – what we didn’t need was this fiasco with World Vision. James reminds us that a double minded man is unstable.  There is instablity WV’s leadership.  It needs to be addressed before WV’s supporters are faced with this issue again.   There is an opposing culture out there that has obviously found its way into the church. In far too many places scripture has been compromised for the sake of numbers and satisfying “itching ears”. On behalf of the church at large – God forgive us.  Let’s get back to calling sin what it is – sin. Let’s create organizations that should never have to seek forgiveness for weakening the stand of scripture – regardless of who the scriptures offend.  Holy Writ cannot be compromised for any purpose – not even an opposing culture of homosexuality.  If you are a homosexual and you can’t handle Truth in love and forgiveness – you may have a deeper sin issue.

I am not an advocate of mistreating anyone who chooses to live a lifestyle in opposition to true holiness.  Jesus gave us clear instructions as to how to love and treat others – even if they wind up being our enemy.  I am opposed to sin – even the sin of homosexuality. There is forgiveness for this sin as much as any other sin. The cross covered all sin. We don’t need a gallon of the blood of Jesus for homosexuality and half a gallon for any other sin. Sin is sin. Homosexuality if offensive to God in that it is a perversion of His creation. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the male and female were created differently but yet so designed that they can procreate. Men with men and women with women cannot “naturally” procreate anything – they can only pervert a divine act.

There is a covenant issue at stake here. Marriage is an act of covenant. Homosexuality destroys the very first covenant act created by God. It sidesteps the blood covenant between a man and a woman. It rejects the marriage covenant. It despises the marriage covenant. Anyone engaged in a homosexual relationship is by their behavior rejecting Truth and what He stands for.  

There is hope and there is help. Jesus shed His blood for all sinners. I close this rambling text tonight by reminding the readers that “He is faithful and just to forgive us.” He waits for all to come to Him.

1 John 1:9-10 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.           (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

I pray that World Vision has come to their senses and will stay on track with their mission and purpose. Millions of hungry children depend on their ministry.  I pray that they never again justify sin by all they do that’s good.

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One Comment on “World Vision’s Reversal of an Insane Decision”

  1. Unless W.V. does in fact get new advisors- and perhaps board members, my expectation is that they will once again depart from orthodoxy on some other issue.

    Reply

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