World Vision Breaks From Traditional Marriage Guidelines, Christian Leaders Appalled

Richard Stearns
 World Vision

On Monday, in an interview with Christianity Today, World Vision announced it was changing its policy regarding marriage, announcing that it will begin hiring homosexuals in same-sex marriages to work for their ministry.

World Vision, based in the state of Washington, employs more than 1,100 people from more than 50 denominations. Some of these denominations now perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, and World Vision U.S. President Richard Stearns points to that separated position among the body as to why the leaders of the charity decided to make the change.  He said the decison among the board of directors was no unaanimous, but it was close.

World Vision is one of the largest Christian charities in the world.

"Same-sex marriage has only been a huge issue in the church in the last decade or so," he said. "There used to be much more unity among churches on this issue, and that's changed."

The U.S. decision should not be seen as the group endorsing gay "marriage," Stearns said, adding that World Vision continues to "affirm and support" traditional marriage.

Instead, Stearns qualified the new policy as being one designed to create "unity" by not focusing on what he considered non-essential issues, and one outside the scope of his organizations considerations

"We're an operational arm of the global church, we're not a theological arm of the church," he said.

The announcement created an immediate backlash among the charity's largely evangelical Christian donor base, according to Lifesitenews.

"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," said Franklin Graham, the president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and leader of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

"My dear friend, Bob Pierce, the founder of World Vision and Samaritan's Purse, would be heartbroken," Graham said. "He was an evangelist who believed in the inspired Word of God."

Allbert Mohler calls World Vision's rationale that they are an operational arm of the church, not a theological arm,  "a fatal misreading of reality".

"World Vision claims a Christian identity, claims to serve the kingdom of Christ, and claims a theological rationale for its much-needed ministries to the poor and distressed. It cannot surrender theological responsibility when convenient and then claim a Christian identity and a theological mandate for ministry," he said.

Russell D. Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination, agreed.

"If sexual activity outside of a biblical definition of marriage is morally neutral, then, yes, we should avoid making an issue of it," he said. "If, though, what the Bible clearly teaches and what the church has held for 2,000 years is true, then refusing to call for repentance is unspeakably cruel and, in fact, devilish."

Many church leaders are condemning the changes World Vision is making, and some on social media have espoused dropping support for the charity, but many under #worldvision are calling on donors to remember the children who will be affected by a decrease in support for the charity.

Jake Dudley @jakedudley

Just because we disagree with someone's belief doesn't mean we shouldn't serve them. #WorldVision #WorldVisionControversy

Johnathan Hershey @Classic_Choco 

Disagreeing with a decision is fine...dropping a sponsorship of a child is not. #worldvision

World Vision took in more than a billion dollars in revenue last year and serves an estimated 100 million people in 100 countries.  According to Forbes magazine, it ranks among America's top 10 charities

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.