Bethany Christian Services Reverses LGBTQ Inclusion Policy

Bethany Christian Services, a prominent U.S. adoption and foster care agency, has reversed its policy allowing LGBTQ couples to foster or adopt. The Michigan-based organization announced the change in a June 10 press release, stating its board voted to “clarify and reinforce” its Christian faith commitments. The updated policy requires staff and board members to “personally agree and adhere to” a belief statement that includes the Apostle’s Creed, affirms the authority of the Christian Bible, and defines God’s design for marriage as “a covenant between one man and one woman.”

The policy change will impact the selection of foster and adoptive parents. Beginning June 2027, Bethany will only license and re-license foster families whose Christian faith and beliefs align with its Statement of Faith and Belief. Senior leaders and those in roles with “significant responsibility and oversight” were expected to agree with the belief statement by June 1, while all other staff must align by June 1, 2027. The organization declined to share specific staff impact numbers.

A spokesperson for Bethany stated the decision was not influenced by external pressure or concerns about funding. Instead, the changes reflect a decision to “reinforce our Christian identity” through prayer and discernment by the board and executive leadership. The policy does not appear to prevent the group from serving LGBTQ children or vulnerable LGBTQ-affirming families. The press release emphasized that the organization will continue to serve all children and families seeking its help, regardless of their individual circumstances, beliefs, or background.

Given Bethany’s size—serving in over 25 states and employing more than 1,000 staff members worldwide—the changes will have wide-reaching effects. The reversal comes five years after the agency announced it would allow LGBTQ couples to foster and adopt. That change, announced in March 2021, followed pressure from civil liberties groups advocating for LGBTQ nondiscrimination policies and arguing that faith-based organizations receiving government funding should not exclude anyone.

In May 2021, the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates removed Bethany from its list of affiliated organizations, citing concerns over its evolving stance on LGBTQ inclusion. This decision marked a significant shift in the relationship between Bethany and the denomination, reflecting broader tensions within Reformed communities over issues of inclusion and doctrinal alignment.

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