Adoption Is On My Mind

Something is happening in our culture and I sense that God is at the very heart of it.  There is a movement that has a lot of people talking and it is exciting.  This wind of excitement is the reality that adoption seems to be everywhere right now in the evangelical world.  I am regularly getting information about adoption conferences that are taking place, the news seems to have a lot of stories about adoption and the issues that come with it, and people are just talking about it often as I go about my life each day. 

Now, I also know that the reason it is on my mind today is because the David's picked up Micah James TODAY at the orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  They have him and they are sleeping as I type this.  Whew!  I am so excited for them and in reflecting on what they have done today it reminds me of the Gospel!

Adopton is at the heart of God.  In fact, that is the fruit of His primary mission in sending Jesus Christ into the world and to the cross.  Christ became sin for us, even though He knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).  The fruit of this righteousness is that we are now co-heirs to the grace of God as fully adopted sons.  We receive the full heritage and blessing from God as His child.  This is an awesome thing! 

Adoption should never be from our minds.  I don't think it is ever from God's, since this is how He brought us into His family.  I know as an adoptive dad, that it is on my mind all the time.  Not on my mind, in the sense, that somehow there is a deficiency in my life or my chilren, but quite the opposite.  It is on my mind, because all of my children are always there as they are with most parents.  Even though I did not get all of my children the same way, they are all equally my children.  The same is true for my own life as a child of God.  I was brought into His family by the adopting love and grace through the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am a co-heir with Christ.  Adoption is not far from my mind or God's.

Therefore, adoption should always be on the mind of the local church.  I was given an article from World Magazine yesterday by a deacon and it is titled, "Look after Orphans, 20 ways to become an adoption-friendly church."  When I was handed this article, he said, "I think we are here in most of these categories."  Well, I read the article and I was overjoyed that we are focusing on most of these as a church!  Here are the 20 items listed in the article, written by Paul Golden:

1.  Pray that your church would become adoption-friendly.

2.  Preach key passages on caring for orphans and spiritual adoption.

3.  Invite guest speakers to raise awareness of adoption needs and opportunities.

4.  Make adoption resources available to the church family.

5.  Frequently list pro-adoption ministries and organizations.

6.  Encourage couples facing infertility to connect with adoptive parents.

7.  Regularly have adoptive parents and birth mothers share their testimony to God's goodness and grace.

8.  Educate your church family regarding the costs involved in the adoption process.

9.  Encourage the church family to give financially to adoptive couples.

10.  Create a standing church fund for adoption costs.

11.  Challenge Sunday school classes and small groups to raise money for adoptive couples.

12.  Establish an adoptive parents small group in your church.

13.  Create e-mail lists of adoptive parents for support and encouragement.

14.  Connect with local social service agencies.

15.  Use attorneys or case workers within the church family.

16.  Sponsor a child.

17.  Participate in mission trips to orphanages abroad.

18.  Mazimize special holidays to emphasize adoption.

19.  Celebrate adoption as a church family.

20.  Support adopted kids as they struggle with questions of identity, abandonment, or rejection.

Now, I recognize that we are not doing all of these as a church family, but we are well on our way.  This should excite all of us, because once again, it is after the very heart of God!

Pray over this list and ask God how you might become more involved in orphan care.  Not everyone is going to be called to adopt a child into their family, but every believer in Christ is called to care for orphans.  There were and have been so many people that have cared for orphans by caring for me and my family and supporting us in countless ways.  What area from the list above could you become involved in? 

There are some opportunities upcoming to learn more about adoption from a biblical worldview.  Southern Seminary in Louisville is having an adoption conference on February 26-27.  You can get all the details at:  http://events.sbts.edu/

Southeast Christian Church in Louisville is having a one day conference on March 13.  I will pass along more information as I get it.

There are families available at DBC if you would like to talk about adoption or foster care.  If you are praying about this issue, please contact the church office at 502-463-2539 or e-mail at dburgpastor@gmail.com and we will joyfully meet with you.

There are plans being made right now for a mission trip to Ethiopia to work with the orphans there and other missionaries.  Pray and ask God if you are to be a part of this trip.

I am thankful that adoption was never off the mind of God....because it wasn't.....I am part of a family and have a Father that is truly forever!  To Him be all the glory.

I think the reason that adoption is becoming more "mainstream" in our culture today is because even though the culture may look bleak, the Gospel is still going forth and He is changing hearts and His people still desire to be faithful and obedient!  This really is a good thing!

Blessings,

Bro. Matt