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Christianity Today, June (Web-only), 2009 |

'We Are Not Commanded To Be a Docent in the Art Museum. We Are Commanded To Love the Poor.'

World Vision president Richard Stearns says the greatest sin of our generation is apathy.

Interview by Mark Galli | posted 6/12/2009 09:53AM

It's not surprising that the president of World Vision thinks Christians should help the poor. What may surprise some, however, is the degree to which Richard Stearns sees American Christians' limits ...

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James

Posted: June 15, 2009 5:54 PM


That's right. Don't be passive. For example, the People's Miss CA has gay marriage bullies on the ropes. What can you do? You can post comments at this link to let your voice for family and marriage be heard! http://tinyurl.com/mdmrxu

susan

Posted: June 15, 2009 3:55 PM

I am so tired of people pointing at the so called deficiencies of Christians. I am so tired of the accusations and generalizations which is a constant criticism of the Church, or maybe I should say, churches and Christians in this country. What happened to building up, and encouraging and gratitude for what God has done? Quit criticizing and trying to shame people in the church. You are not more important than the person who lovingly puts a homemade flower arrangement at the front of the church before worship. Your vision is narrow and seems to be ungrateful to me. Where is the love? Where is the love of all humans and there is nothing wrong with the ministries of caring for the person in each church community. Don't criticize and generalize and only look at what is lacking. I am so tired of uninspiring guilt producing words that are not even true. We are wonderful and loving people of God and each is doing the work that God has given. Let God be in charge...

Spage

Posted: June 15, 2009 12:50 PM


@wwilkie Why does how much the guy earns determine the truthfulness or credibility of what he said? It doesn't is the answer. "Richard Sterns is paid over $350,000 plus retirement at World Vision. I don't think that his argument holds much credibility with that salary."

Paul	Posted: June 15, 2009 12:48 PM

Excellent article and apathy is one of the most prevalent movements within Christianity. We are apathetic because we have been numbed (intentionally) by the system of American consumption. Our brains have been flooded with an overwhelming amount of stimuli and no longer think critically or engage our world, because it is our world which has created this phenomenon. We as Americans (generally speaking) exist simply trying to survive, so getting Christians to think beyond tomorrow or even today is difficult. From a theological perspective, I believe this is a result of a theistic worldview, in which God has either retreated or never broken into our space and time, leaving us desparately wanting God's engagement, but feeling that American Civil Religion which is offered instead has not fulfilled our gospel hopes. The Gospel (Good News) is that we as people participate in the kingdom of God. We as people, sell all we have and follow Christ. Too Radical?

Charitas

Posted: June 15, 2009 12:16 PM


Richard Stearns is quite right about apathy being a problem in the Church albeit his measure of apathy is misdirected. Attitude is also a problem, no shortage of that at World Vision.

anon	Posted: June 15, 2009 11:35 AM


I started out liking this article. Then Stearns completely lost me when I found out how much he makes. I don't care if it's less than most CEOs make. I don't care if he lives in California and the cost of living is higher there. It's absurd that he makes 10 times more than most of us make, and yet he's asking us for money, part of which will go towards paying his salary.

me	Posted: June 14, 2009 11:30 PM

There is no doubt that we should help the poor, of course. But the Gospel is the priority. Why save the body only to let the soul perish? And remember, the countries that are ALLOWING their own children to die are countries that take humanitarian contributions from around the world and apply them to their own political or "religious" advances. Most of the humanitarian aid, yes even through World Vision, is misplaced and wasted. And don't forget that we have our own starving and homeless population here.

June1409

Posted: June 14, 2009 6:31 AM

End Apathy Pro-Lifers should look at abortion the way Catholics look at symptoms of sexual abuse. Symptoms are not the problem, but a sign of deeper issue. Symptoms of priest sexual abuse include: suicide, alcohol, drug abuse, etc. Abused women, exhibit similar behaviors and often turn to abortion. Pro-Lifers ignore abuse of women the way Catholics ignored abuse of children. Pro-Lifers need to admit something is wrong in society the way Catholics admitted something was wrong in their church. Catholics blamed children for symptoms of abuse. It was double abuse. Pro-Lifers do the same. Christians turned their back on abuse and created an environment in which healthy children turned to suicide. Pro-Lifers turn their back on abuse toward women and healthy women turn to abortion. Making abortion illegal won’t solve the problem. Women will only turn to back-street abortion providers the same way abused Christian children found ways to commit suicide.

Dan	Posted: June 14, 2009 2:30 AM

Are you serious, wwilkie? $350,000 a year plus retirement? (Not that there is anything wrong with earning $350,000 + a year.) And coming from corporate America for sure means he is qualified to tell us middle incomers that we aren't doing enough or giving enough. (note to self - DO MORE/GIVE MORE) Just ask him; he's written a book to prove it (CBD price, $14.99). You know, I bet he drives a really nice car, and I bet he belongs to a country club and plays golf with other guys who make lots of money. And I bet he lives in a really nice suburb in a really big house. And I bet he attends a megachurch and hobnobs with other bigwig evangelical "movers and shakers." (Not that there is anything wrong with any of that.) Mr. Stearns is probably a really nice guy, a sincere and well qualified Christian leader. But you know, I just don't connect with this picture. (Disclaimer: I could be wrong on all of this.)

Jennie

Posted: June 14, 2009 1:41 AM


Even if he IS just marketing for World Vision (which I think his character and years of service would help prove otherwise), it's a good message and reminder that we should be helping more and spending on big buildings and other superfluous things less.

Alfred in MS

Posted: June 13, 2009 9:49 PM

On one hand there ARE believers who are serious about giving their time & money to missionary efforts locally and around the world. BUT, this group tends to comprise only 20% of any particular church body. It has been that way in every Protestant church I've been a member of. Well, what would happen to mission efforts if the other 80% got their finances & priorities in order and began living for God rather than self/commercialism! Hmmmmmm.....

DenisInParis

Posted: June 13, 2009 5:18 PM


I don't know about World Vision in the US, but I'm pretty sure that in Europe, and particularly in the UK, they have signed calls to boycott Israel. Israel, the only country in the Middle East where extreme poverty has been eradicated, and whose remarkable health system also benefits Palestinians from the so-called "occupied territories".

Doug Lass

Posted: June 13, 2009 2:16 PM

I believe this article is so good, I'm going to buy Mr Stearns book "A Hole in the Gospel"! But I have with some of the comments left for this article. To Renee, have you thought that your church as a whole could use part of your tithes and every other members in your church tithes be used for World Vision or Heifer International? To y.p, Do you even own a Bible? I agree that Jesus Christ said to take the Gospel to all four corners of the world, BUT there are several other referances in the Bible that Jesus Christ COMMANDS US TO HELP OTHERS LESS FORTUNATE THAN OURSELVES!!! If you do not believe that we are called to help others, I wonder if you can be called a true "Christian"!!!

Bennett

Posted: June 13, 2009 2:00 PM


Right on, Richard. It is surprising the alibis we hear to cop out of putting feet under the Gospel. Christians no longer know the biblical meaning of commitment and obedience.

blake

Posted: June 13, 2009 10:40 AM

I agree that there is more for us, the church, to do to help the lowest and the least, but I have serious concerns about how we are doing it. For example, sponsoring children can be very administrativly costly. I do not know the admin costs for world vision children, some organizations take most of the monthly donation for admin costs (between national and local admin charges). I have also heard of some organizations that need to sell a project (such as well digging) 3 times to cover the admin costs. In addition hand-outs are great for a crisis situation, but are never a long term solution. Poverty is never about lack of resources as much as a dysfuctional worldview. All interested in Global development should read 'Dead Aid' to get a sense of why dispite billions of dollars of aid given to Africa, things are worse. The church must carry out the call to facililate the changing of hearts and training of minds first. Once orientation and worldview is changed, injustice wil be reduced.

Jo Hempstead

Posted: June 13, 2009 10:30 AM

While I agree that we pay far too little attention to our responsbilities to the poor, I do not see volunteering as a museum docent as a trivial activity that Jesus disapproves. In fact, as long as one doesn't place it above his or her obligations to social justice, it can be an avenue of "witnessing by doing" in the community--along with feeding the poor, teaching the illterate to read, holding VBS in poor areas, etc. Troubled children who are brought by their teachers to our local musem are reported to be calmer for days after. Like musicians, artists can minister through their work. And docents can witness through their example of service, seen by visitors and other docents who may never darken a church door.

SATYA

Posted: June 13, 2009 8:12 AM

there is the little incident in the Bible where someone gets something to annoint Jesus feet and one of the disciples complains that the money should have been given to the poor. Jesus tells him to, in effect, shut up and this article is one that makes one wish to follow the example of Jesus. I don't think this is a good example of him spending money on himself for entertainment. The entire length of this ministry does not give an example of Him spending his time in this fashion.

y.p.	Posted: June 13, 2009 7:27 AM

he states that Jesus' highest priority was the sick and the lame. What Bible is he reading? Seriously, just casual reading of the New Testament shows that Jesus' highest priority was reconciling people to God. Then they express there love for Him by ministering to the sick and the lame. Furthermore, just about every study of the evangelical world states the opposite to most of his claims. Almost went to work for World Vision 4-5 years ago- now I'm really glad I didn't

Suzy Pantzer

Posted: June 12, 2009 10:13 PM

Recently I have been struck -- and convicted -- by how often the message of our apathy and need to do something are juxtaposed to American advertising which is often full of flashier, moving, more colorful, eye-catching images. This image of 100 dying children right next to an ad for pastors to learn how to improve their website building skills. The other day images slums adjacent to glamorous very scantily clad women. How do we turn our values in this culture upside down?

arts volunteer and proud of it

Posted: June 12, 2009 9:29 PM

What a narrow minded snob! I'm not sure who it benefits for Stearns to equate giving time and financial support to arts organizations with apathy and doing nothing. His comparison reflects an attitude that drives people away from dealing with "true believers" of all stripes. That attitude is one which proclaims "My own ministry and instructions from the Lord, and the way I interpret them, are a one-size-fits-all prescription for everyone else as well." In simpler terms, "My way or the highway." Tell than to the docent who lights up a spark that will eventually burn in a disadvantaged child who makes it to college against the odds, or to a music program that brightens discouraged spirits and provides free opportunities to its own community.

wwilkie

Posted: June 12, 2009 7:29 PM


Richard Sterns is paid over $350,000 plus retirement at World Vision. I don't think that his argument holds much credibility with that salary.

Robberson

Posted: June 12, 2009 6:19 PM


Ooops! Made a mistake on my post by naming Mr. Calli (the reporter) as the author rather than Richard Stearns of World Vision.

Robberson

Posted: June 12, 2009 6:06 PM

The posts prior to mine lead me to believe the persons commenting have little or no experience in the "real" world. Mr. Galli knows what he is talking about and when, as some did, respond with scorn and defensiveness it is an attempt to protect themselves from their own guilt. To me, how we respond to the call of Christ in these matters defines each of us and frankly too many do not fair too well. Mr. Galli has "proven" his commitment to the less fortunate-I can only hope others will respond to his example.

Shirlene

Posted: June 12, 2009 6:05 PM

Christ allowed the anointing of his body with the perfume as preparation for His death... I don't think this is a good example of him spending money on himself for entertainment. The entire length of this ministry does not give an example of Him spending his time in this fashion. The men in the temple were not looking for donations but selling for profit. Christians are leaders in social issues however the fact that American as a country and a society are all so deep in debt that they are not sure of their own future ability to survive has caused a lack in giving in the secular and christian realms. This debt began in the Christian realm because people took their eyes off what Jesus wanted from them and put it on what they wanted for themselves. We need to put others before ourself as Christ did. Am I doing that... I have fallen very short also and I thank Richard Stearns for point this out to myself and others that are willing to listen to the message.

Geoff

Posted: June 12, 2009 6:03 PM

I feel compelled to leave my own comment, because I wonder whether some of these comments are, ironically, proving Stearns' point: Of course, we all fail in many areas, but it's interesting how people have been quick to point out inconsistencies and come up with excuses right off the bat. Whether or not World Vision gets it exactly right (I doubt they do), I get the sense that Stearns is correct about our apathy... And that apathy might very easily come across - though I don't want to assume anything here - as a defense of our particular interests. So often we feel the need to justify our own "good works" (including wonderful things like art and the symphony!), rather than face the reality that many of us (and, yes, I'm guilty of this too!) find it easier to fit God into what WE want to do, rather than re-organizing our lives to follow Jesus' commands.

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