Orphans, Adoption, and Fostering. . . Not An Option for the Church

Over the past few months, God has been revealing to me and our leadership team His plans for our church to enter into a story already being written. This story involves something that for many has been reserved as a "private matter." It's something that some have a difficult time understanding why the church would be involved.

It has to do with children. Most churches are very positive toward children. We promote "family friendly" activities, events and ministries. Many have distinct children's ministries that feature camps, children's church and the mainstay of Baptist life - Vacation Bible School.

It's not that we do not love children. In fact, we do. It's just that there is a group of children in our community and throughout the world that we often do not talk about. These are the children living in orphanages and foster homes.

The question we are asking is "What is the church to do?"

 

I am convinced that God desires us not to simply give an offering a couple of times a year for orphan care (though we will continue to give financially.) I am saddened that many churches have left care for children in our society up to governmental agencies.

 

Why is it that we allow the Angelina Jolie's of the world to be the image of adoption? Isn't adoption and rescuing children a mandate for the church?

Many in our tribe are pro-life, as we are. We are adamently opposed to abortion, feeling that life begins at conception. However, beyond protesting abortion and advocating for the unborn, what do we do for those who have been born, but have no home? What about the child who is put up for adoption? What about the child that is in need of a safe home for a season, or a foster family?

Why does it seem that, for the most part, the church is satisfied with leaving orphan care and adoption up to others? 

I read this verse recently while studying. I had read it before, but this time it really struck a chord. God spoke through His Word to me when reading this verse and it was very clear. 

James 1:27(ESV)
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. 

Pure and undefiled religion. Now that's religion that God loves. Notice that the first item listed has to do with orphans. Visiting orphans. That is not all, there is also listed the ministry to widows and ultimately remaining unstained from the sin of the world (i.e. in the world, but not of it.)

If our commission as Christ-followers is to share the Gospel and make disciples, then wouldn't it make sense for Christians to be heavily involved in the ministry of adopting children who need homes. To rescue children and bring them to Christ is a worthy undertaking. 

I'm not sure how this will look for First Baptist Church, but I do know that we will be "all in." I see a day when there are no children in need of adoption in our county. Why? Because Christ-following families will rescue these children and bring them into their homes. Men and women will become "Mom and Dad" for children who have never known such a relationshiop. Some will experience the love of Christ through a family that heretofore they have never known.

In talking with our friends at the Florida Baptist Children's Homes, this step is vitally needed in our area.

So, the ball is rolling now. Steps are being taken. We will not rush in unprepared. . .but we will rush in. 

Why? Because we must.

Is it any different for believers in our culture to ignore the needs (phsyical, emotional, mental AND spiritual) of children and allow others to deal with it than what the Jewish people did in the Old Testament when they offered up children to false gods such as Molech? That may be an extreme comparison and will probably offend some, but in truth, there's not much difference. 

We, the called out ones, the rescued, the ransomed hearts, the children of God are to offer pure and undefiled worship to the Father. To ignore this aspect (and no, it's not the only one) eliminates our worship from being as pure as it could be.

What will this look like? I'm not sure, but here are some ideas:

• We will offer regularly scheduled MAPP classes here at the church (Apparently, these will soon be called PRIDE classes, but are the same thing. Required by the state in order to adopt.)
• We will offer connection groups for families wishing to adopt or foster children. This will enable couples to talk with and get answers about difficult questions from others who have previously gone through the process.
• We will upgrade and enhance our preschool and children's ministries to be more "user friendly" for families with foster children or children through the Safe Families program.
• We will offer training and information for any wishing to adopt or foster children. 
• We will educate church members about this mission and even those who cannot adopt of foster will be invited into the story. Every Christ-follower can be an advocate.
• Hopefully, through partnerships with other ministries, we will be able to offer scholarships or donations for families wishing to adopt. (This will be a huge faith step and maintained by an off site ministry.)
• International adoption will be an option and we want to help in the process. Whether this is through the China Nest of Hope or our mission in Haiti or some other location, we will offer step-by-step information on how, why, and what needs to be done.
• We will celebrate births of babies in our church family. We will celebrate the adoption of babies into families (regardless the age of the child.)
• We will be more involved in orphan care through the Children's Home here in Jacksonville as well as international orphanages.
• We will be an advocate for special needs adoptions.
• We will be an advocate for multi-racial adoptions.
• Etc. (This covers all the many things we haven't even thought of, but God already has in the works.)

We understand that adopting or fostering a child doesn't make a person a "super Christian." We do believe, however, that all believers can be involved in this mission. It's not a new mission. It's living the Gospel where God has placed us.

Comments

[Deanna Falchook]

Thank you Pastor David,

I have adopted 5 children from 3 different countries, one of whom is HIV+. I have traveled the journey of not understanding PURE RELIGION in even having an abortion at the age of 18. But the LORD is so good and i am so pleased that my one NO to my Jesus eventually turned into 5 YESES for Him. Adoption is the GOSPEL...the ONE PERFECT SON sacrificing His very life to redeem, heal, claim, restore a lost humanity of the children of God. If we (as a CHURCH) fail to grasp that we can reflect the GOSPEL and be the hands and feet of God in taking abandoned/lost/sick children home, then we really don't comprehend what His coming and dying was for...

So grateful to see PURE RELIGION activated in your church. I pray that your pews will be filled with children from all over America and the world that have been claimed by your congregation FOR the GLORY of Heaven in the Name of Jesus...

Thanks for stepping out..

Deanna Jones Falchook
http://www.mothertheworld.org
mom to 8 (2 by birth, 5 by adoption)..plus an angel named Aubrey in Heaven's nursery...

[David Tarkington]

Thanks for the encouragement and kind words. Thanks Tess for your comments.

[Tess]

While you and I will never agree on the abortion issue, I am glad to see someone on the pro-life side of the issue finally say "what should we do about those already born?" I've always taken issue with pro-lifers that do absolutely nothing to help young struggling mothers or children already in the system. As for abortion, we'll simply have to agree to disagree.

Peace and Love.

[Truth is Truth]

Thank you David Tarkington for not believing the lie of some christians that believe "blood is thicker than water". If my family had lived by this principle in a step family, we would not be the dysfunctional mess we are today. Many years ago, we had a discusion in our step family of why so many spend tens of thousands on infertility treatments and not adopt or foster. The looks I got when stating that foster care was full and adoption was a beautiful option was as if I had two heads. We are "given the spirit of adoption" and adopted in to Christ's family with no favoritism. Thank you for affirming that even born again christians that still uphold the notion that 'blood is thicker than water' have done it to justify their favoritisms to their own blood children and have believed the lie. Christ's mandate to LOVE means blood or not. Go David for your truth --- may those in your church that need to open their ears and heart actually hear and not excuse the lie any longer.

[Greg Breedlove]

A Facebook fried directed me to your blog with which I whole heartedly agree. As a father of three adopted children, my passion is also to see the church unleash it's power into the foster/adoption world. below is a link to a sermon I preached last year on the topic.

http://www.cyberears.com/index.php/Browse/playaudio/14464

[April Crosby]

Wow, this is awesome! Eric and I felt lead to become foster parents last spring. We just received our first "assignment" last Friday. We feel grateful to be a part of what God is going to do, not just for this baby, but for her whole family. Wish we lived close enough to be a part of this movement at FBCOP.

[G HUBBARD]

abused youth face tough daily questions our free SPREAD THE WORD TALK WITH THE LORD program inspires daily talks catch they need your help with first question olur blog helps g hubbard po box 2232 ponte vedra fl 32004 http://talkwiththelord.blogspot.com/

[Jaci (Kelly) Cauvel]

Pastor David,

This has been on my heart ever since I started working with youth in the foster care system about 2 years ago. The system in which fostering and adoptions is quite flawed and hard to navigate at times. Children fall through the cracks all the time because of poor behavior; mental or physical problems; or there is simply no one to advocate for them. I have seen children who have been placed in foster homes for short term place just to be placed in yet another short term placement and this can go on for years never staying in one place for more than 3 to 4 months. I have seen issues of abuse be perpetuated by the foster family. Now some of these are worst case scenarios but they shouldn't be a scenario at all. My heart has been broken many times after seeing a young adult who has aged out of foster care and now has a child of their own that is being placed in foster care. I did not get to experience much of the good in the system as my job did not deal with that population. There is so much that the community can do for this population that is not being done. I am currently unemployed and have plenty of free time to help in any way you need! (my daughter would have to tag along) This is something that God has been stirring inside me for quite some time and I have been lazy ever since we moved back from Ocala. But I really feel I need to do whatever I can to be a part of this. Thanks for your time and I look forward to seeing this unfold

Jaci (Kelly) Cauvel