The resurgence of the church’s interest in orphan ministry has been extremely encouraging. For those exploring this or engaged in it already, I wanted to mention a few new resources worth considering:
1) Daniel Bennett’s A Passion for the Fatherless: Developing a God-Centered Ministry to Orphans. Designed for both individuals and small group or Sunday School study, this looks like a very nice blend of theological foundation and practical suggestions for implementation.
- The Uniqueness of Christian Orphan Care
- Compassion, the Disenfranchised, and the Orphan
- God’s Glorious Grace and Orphan Care
- A Theology of adoption
- Blessings, Missions, and Orphans
- When Not to Care for Orphans
- The Greatness of Godly Affliction
- Decision Making in Orphan Care Ministry
- The Orphan and the Church
- Church Leadership and an Orphan Ministry
- The Components of a Church’s Orphan Ministry
- The Components of a Church’s Adoption Ministry
2) For those in the painful waiting process of adoption, Luke and Trisha Priebe’s devotional will be warmly welcomed: Trust, Hope, Pray: Encouragement for the Task of Waiting. Here’s a blurb I wrote about it:
Jesus tells us that there is sorrow that comes with the birthing process but great joy when the baby arrives (John 16:21). And though there are differences, the adoption process is filled with a similar pattern of sadness and then joy. In fact, the pain of waiting can be even more difficult than physical birth pangs. In this 365-day devotional the Priebes have provided the church with a wonderful gift to serve waiting couples with gospel grace and hope. I trust that God will use this book in ways beyond what we can ask or imagine as the church pursues adoption for the glory of God.
3) The 2011 National Conference for Together for Adoption is October 21-22 in Phoenix. Check out their website for all the details. I’m confident this will be rich teaching and equipping.
4) A new book I haven’t yet seen but sounds good:
Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Adoption. Dan Cruver says: “I’ve been waiting for a book like this for almost a decade. The reality has been that finances are often the biggest obstacle to adopting a child. Thanks to Julie Gumm that reality is going to change.”
