Posted on 05/11/2009 5:47:03 AM PDT by markomalley
Christian Children's Fund is changing its name to ChildFund International. The board of directors of the worldwide relief organization voted this week on the change as part of a new strategy.
The new name aims to reflect the charity's worldwide reach and its affiliation with the ChildFund Alliance, a coalition that includes 11 other international organizations that help children living in poverty.
Chief executive Anne Lyman Goddard said Friday that the name change, which takes effect July 1, will standardize the ChildFund name globally among groups that work to connect donors to programs that help children. "Now working under different names, it's hard to expand the depth, breadth and scope of our work," she said.
The name change would provide better brand recognition for donors, especially overseas residents who are increasingly contacting Richmond, Va.-based Christian Children's Fund to sponsor impoverished children in developing nations.
Christian Children's Fund's income from international donors has increased over the last five years, Goddard said. Of the $230 million Christian Children's Fund raised last year, roughly one-third came from international donors.
The organization shed its religious teachings more than 30 years ago, so dropping the "Christian" reference might clear up any lingering confusion, Goddard said, as well as open up the ability to raise more money from individuals and corporations. "We have had supporters, donors and staffers from all religions.
It's a very inclusive umbrella now," Goddard said. "And for many people, their Christian faith is to help people of other faiths - and they can still do that. Our mission remains the same."
Christian Children's Fund was founded in 1938 as China's Children Fund. As its work expanded outside China, it adopted the Christian Children's Fund name.
Known for its television commercials showing images of needy children and urging viewers to sponsor them, the group works in 31 countries and assists more than 15.2 million children and their family members, with most funding coming from monthly child sponsorships. Goddard said ChildFund International plans to expand services to 24 additional nations.
Since this charity has decided that it no longer wishes to be known as a Christian charity (even in name), I'm certain that there are other charities to whom Christians can contribute.
And, by the way, according to the article, "The organization shed its religious teachings more than 30 years ago"
I wouldn't have known that, by watching the commercials.
The board that made this decision....should fall to their knees and pray for forgiveness because of all the kids that will suffer due to their insane decision.
I'd always thought that they were teaching the kids Christianity. Looks like I was wrong.
The sad part is they ARE a good charity. As you say, this will chase away those who give the most — Christians.
Yeah. That's the worst part of it...
The really sad part is that Christian values would do more to eliminate poverty worldwide than anything else.
We're supposed to feel guilty for having once had a rich and productive social order?
I really hate that guy, and the ignorance on both sides of that transaction.
“If any person is ashamed of me and my teaching, then I will be ashamed of that person. I will be ashamed of that person at the time I come with my glory and with the glory of the Father and the holy angels.
Luke 9:23-26 (ERV)
There is the Catholic equivalent the “Christian Foundation for Children and Aging”. My child just termed out and I need to choose another one.
You closed-minded bigot, you!
/sarc
... hmmm, Christians denying Christianity ... do I hear a cock crowing in the distance?
How sad :( I sponsored several children over the years - when I was single..... haven’t had one recently but when I do it again I will definately choose another organization!! Every day its something else!!
I stopped giving to charities on TV a long time ago. While I’m sure there are some worthy ones, I give exclusively through my church. That way I have more assurance that my money is used in a manner consistent with my faith. It is a shame about Christian Children’s Fund. My understanding of the Gospel is we are to share the Good News of Christ AND help the less fortunate. It isn’t an either/or proposition. We are told to do both.—JM
So, changing the name is a new "strategy" over one that was working and apparently very successfully. Yep, sounds like a REAL good plan - not!
I didn't care so much about the children being taught Christian values. I cared that they were being fed and clothed. Now I will find needy families through local churches myself and box items to take to them. No more international charities for me.
Maybe they need a new logo. A light hidden under a bushel basket would work.
Well said. I always respected Christianity not being a Christian. After looking at the posts I feel that the belief in religion dominates the humanity among those who wrote about their passion of Christianity. Christianity should bring out the human in you not the animal. By only helping Christians, you are helping your beliefs rather than people. I can say that who ever wrote those religion inclined comments above, never gave anything. I apologize if anyone really gave something. But, I don’t believe even if they say so.
I totally agreew with Priyaranjan. I think it’s pathetic how other Christian’s fuss about how something isn’t evangelizing God or isn’t run by Christians. I’m a Christian myself and it upsets me. Didn’t God tell us those of us who help the least of these does it for me? Must we CHOOSE which people we consider “the least of these” or that we have to teach them about Him? No, He just tells us to help them. Too many Christians nowadays worry so much about their Catechism, traditions, and theology too much. I mean, yes God likes the fact that we look into that stuff, but it wasn’t the main reason He sent Jesus here, was it? It was cause of LOVE, and get that into your heads. Love sees past all things... past greed, past pride, past inconvenience, past the fact that the people that are doing what God asks (which is to help our brothers and sisters who are unfortunate) aren’t doing it in the name of God, but in the name of love for impoverished children. Yes, I go to church, I pray, etc etc as every “good Christian” does, but that’s not the most important thing. I don’t go overboard with praying, or worshipping, “fighting for our faith”, but I’d rather use that time for helping others. As for me, I just saw the Childfund commercial and I’m considering maybe being a sponsor... and I’m 18, full time college, and make an average of less than $250 a month (still live with parents so yes, I’m sustained). But yea, think about it, God doesn’t NEED anything, all He cares about is love because He IS love. So why do we waste time giving God everything when he needs nothing, rather than helping others and giving love?
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