By Jessica Brown
The relationship between religion and development is complex and dynamic, originally manifested in the form of colonial missionary work, and evolving into modern faith based development organizations (FBDO). Religion’s role as accomplice and oftentimes fundamental driver of imperial ambitions has resulted in a highly polarized public opinion on its place in development. Consequently, many FBDOs, and the churches that they spring from, have transformed their role overseas from missionary work to development work. However, despite this attempt to accommodate civil society’s transformed world views, criticism continues to be laid against these FBDOs. Non-religious donors remain skeptical of their agenda in developing countries, while religious donors criticize what they see as waning Christian content in development dialogue1. World Vision is one of the most recognizable FBDOs working from the northern hemisphere, and has maintained the evangelical traditions of its missionary roots, which has limited the efficacy of its development projects. To be truly successful as a development organization in the 21st century, World Vision must divorce itself from its evangelical ambitions, but not necessarily from its religious motivations.
