Category Archives: Adoption

The responsibilities of church leaders who promote adoption

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Dr. G

I’d like to challenge church leaders to assume responsibility for supporting their families when they pursue adoption ministry. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Families, Foster Care, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

To love adoptive and foster families, (4) let our kids be kids…

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Dr. G

But they are kids, first and foremost. Welcome them as you would any other child. Work with their parents or guardians to figure out how to include them well.
Continue reading →

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To love adoptive and foster families, (3) partner with us…

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Dr. G

So it makes sense that one way to love the adoptive and foster families in your church is to partner with us. In many ways, this looks just like family ministry does for everyone else. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

#2…Churches should become trauma and attachment-informed

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Dr. G

So, church leaders, what can you do to become trauma- and attachment-informed and to then use that knowledge to serve adoptive and foster families well? Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Controversies, Families, Foster Care, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Five ways the church can love their adoptive and foster families

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Dr. G

When their parents are being elevated with comments about what a great thing they did, then those children may feel like they are less deserving of their families than a biological child might be. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Foster Care, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The four kinds of special needs found in children in adoptive and foster families

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Dr. G

Let’s not do that again, church. Let’s say no to any action or lack of action that tells any person, “You’re not welcome here” or “Our church is only for those who look, act, behave, feel, or act like I do.” Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hi, I’m Shannon, and this is my family

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Dr. G

I see us, as a church, cheering at announcements about pending adoptions and then not knowing what to do when the child arrives and eventually joins in children’s ministry programming. I listen to friends who have had to change churches after the welcome mat was pulled away when it became too hard to include them. And I also hear church leaders saying that they want to help but they just don’t know how. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Matt Mooney…Why after all the hard, did you choose hard again?

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Dr. G

Matt Mooney served as our guest blogger for Father’s Day 2013. Many people were touched by his family’s story last June…we thought we’d share with our new readers… Matt currently serves as Executive Director of 99 Balloons, a non-profit organization based in … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Families, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Is mental illness a disability?

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Dr. G

Why wouldn’t we expect people with the most common cause of disability in the U.S. to be served by our existing disability ministries? My colleague is absolutely right…they’re NOT. Why not? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments