"Of course, most pastors and churches are sensible enough to avoid such ostentatious displays of weirdness. But we’ve got plenty of well-intentioned, respectable weirdness to go around." - 9 Marks
"In 2015, the elders of Osterville Baptist Church adopted a church covenant that combined the biblical thoroughness of many historic covenants, but with the added warmth and eloquence of a wedding vow." - 9 Marks
"Christian cases for yes, no, and flying other nations’ flags as congregations balance love of God, neighbor, and country." - C.Today
“This isn’t about one individual or a fallen leader,” said Cosper – writer, producer, editor, and host of the serial podcast...“It’s about a church of 15,000 people who closed their doors nine weeks after losing their pastor.” - BPNews
"Quite the opposite from being a spiritual theatre intended for the entertainment of the saints, church is actually a spiritual bootcamp where they are to be equipped for service and prepared for cosmic warfare." - Ref21
"Many churches have chosen to do it on the first Sunday of every month. We decided not to do that. . . . Beginning in the late 1990’s we began dedicating an entire service to the Lord’s Table when we do it and it has been transformative for our church." - Kevin Schaal
"Don’t let those who’ve sinned against you determine your future. ...You can move toward others with trust and hope again, not because your next community won’t fail you, but because God will never fail you, and he often ministers to us through others." - TGC
By Paul Golden
Do Christians realize that adoption is truly a special opportunity for believers to affirm and demonstrate the sanctity of life to an unsaved world? Sadly, and for a variety of reasons, many Christians do not seriously consider adopting. Churches can and should play a crucial role in encouraging their members to “look after orphans … in their distress” (James 1:27, NIV).
Here are some specific ideas on how to become an adoption-friendly church.
Pray that you and your church would become an adoption-friendly church. The ministry of prayer is invaluable. Pray that potential couples will be sensitive to the Lord’s leading. Pray that the church as a whole would step up its involvement in assisting couples who adopt.
Preach key passages on caring for orphans and spiritual adoption. Passages like James 1:26 and 27 remind us of what pure and faultless religion is all about (caring for those who are least able to care for themselves), and the act of physical adoption in Ephesians 1:3–5 is a great object lesson for spiritual adoption in Christ. “God’s example of care for us in our affliction should impact our understanding of what it means to care for orphans in their affliction,” says Dan Cruver, ministry outreach coordinator for Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency.
