On March 24, 2014 World Vision made an announcement that rocked the Christian world. They were changing their hiring practices to allow Christians who are in same-sex marriages to work in their organization. Shortly after their announcement was made, thousands of Christians cancelled and many others threatened to cancel, their sponsorship of their World Vision child or children. Two days later, World Vision succumbed to the pressure, reversed itself and apologized for their errand policy change. In response, some former sponsors asked for their child/children back; others did not and vowed that they would no longer have anything to do with World Vision.
What I find troubling about this incident is two-fold. First, how some have callously hurt innocent children who are paying the price for a mistake they had nothing to do with in any way. They are the pawns in this scenario and many will suffer the consequences of sudden and unexpected loss of sponsorship. If a sponsor is offended and does not wish to work with World Vision any longer, fine. But, they have made a commitment to sponsor a child or children and they need to fulfill their commitment(s). If they feel that they cannot fulfill their sponsorship, fine. However, in my opinion, at the very minimum, they need to continue their sponsorship for an additional six months while notifying World Vision of their intent to withdraw. The time allotted will give World Vision an opportunity to find replacement sponsors. Giving World Vision any less time, in my opinion, is being irresponsible, unchristian and heartless.
The second area I find troubling in this incident is our general lack of forgiveness. We all make mistakes, people and organizations alike. In making their policy change, World Vision sought to unite the body of Christ. They have instead brought greater disunity within the body. It is both ironic and sad. Nevertheless, they humbly have admitted to their error and have deeply apologized. And, we in turn need to be forgiving. But some of us have not and will not forgive. Our Lord himself tells us how generous we are to be in our forgiveness of others who hurt or offend us. He tells Peter that he needed to be willing to forgive “seventy-seven times” (Matt 18:22). In addition, our Lord himself personally shows us how generous our forgiveness needed to be. Despite the fact that the Apostle Peter denied him three times, our Lord lovingly forgives and reinstates him to his former place among the Disciples (John 21:15-19). Can we do anything less?
World Vision has, and continues, to do much good work in the name of our Lord. Like the rest of us, they too will sin and stumble along the way. World Vision, after all, is run by imperfect and sinful human beings. No one is perfect, none except one. Thus, we all need to be charitable and forgiving of the offenses of others. If we are not, our Lord warns us what will happen, we will be judged in the same way we judge others (Matt 7:2). How do you want to be judged? Judge World Vision accordingly.
What I find troubling about this incident is two-fold. First, how some have callously hurt innocent children who are paying the price for a mistake they had nothing to do with in any way. They are the pawns in this scenario and many will suffer the consequences of sudden and unexpected loss of sponsorship. If a sponsor is offended and does not wish to work with World Vision any longer, fine. But, they have made a commitment to sponsor a child or children and they need to fulfill their commitment(s). If they feel that they cannot fulfill their sponsorship, fine. However, in my opinion, at the very minimum, they need to continue their sponsorship for an additional six months while notifying World Vision of their intent to withdraw. The time allotted will give World Vision an opportunity to find replacement sponsors. Giving World Vision any less time, in my opinion, is being irresponsible, unchristian and heartless.
The second area I find troubling in this incident is our general lack of forgiveness. We all make mistakes, people and organizations alike. In making their policy change, World Vision sought to unite the body of Christ. They have instead brought greater disunity within the body. It is both ironic and sad. Nevertheless, they humbly have admitted to their error and have deeply apologized. And, we in turn need to be forgiving. But some of us have not and will not forgive. Our Lord himself tells us how generous we are to be in our forgiveness of others who hurt or offend us. He tells Peter that he needed to be willing to forgive “seventy-seven times” (Matt 18:22). In addition, our Lord himself personally shows us how generous our forgiveness needed to be. Despite the fact that the Apostle Peter denied him three times, our Lord lovingly forgives and reinstates him to his former place among the Disciples (John 21:15-19). Can we do anything less?
World Vision has, and continues, to do much good work in the name of our Lord. Like the rest of us, they too will sin and stumble along the way. World Vision, after all, is run by imperfect and sinful human beings. No one is perfect, none except one. Thus, we all need to be charitable and forgiving of the offenses of others. If we are not, our Lord warns us what will happen, we will be judged in the same way we judge others (Matt 7:2). How do you want to be judged? Judge World Vision accordingly.
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