Summit VIII Recap: The Role of the Church in Caring for the ...

I recently returned from the 8^th annual Orphan Summit, sponsored by the Christian Alliance for Orphans. What a week!? I am struck by the passion of individuals to care for the vulnerable and to motivate the Church to do the same.?

I use the Church (with a capital C) intentionally, as I am not referring to individual congregations, but to the body of Christ.? It is God?s calling for all of us (See James 1:27, Matthew 25:31-46, Isaiah 1:17-18, Jeremiah 22:3).

What was immediately apparent to me during this conference was that collaboration between congregations and parachurch organizations, such as Buckner, are necessary in order to fulfill this calling together.?

Here are some other great takeaways from the summit:

• It?s vital to remember that not all are called to foster or to adopt children.? As a matter of fact, most are called to support such families, mentor, give financially, or advocate.
• For those of us who ARE called to foster or adopt, it?s time to step up.? The need is urgent.? There are more than 12,000 children available for adoption right now in the state of Texas, according to the Department of Families and Protective Services.? The 2010 US Religion Census states that Texas has almost 6.5 million evangelical Protestants, which leads the nation.? Without even including our Catholic friends, if one out of every 542 Protestants in Texas?would adopt a child, there would be no more children waiting for a forever family here in Texas.
• Francis Chan?has some inspiring and convicting things to say about thankfulness as the cure to arrogance.? Really, I need to read more of his books.
• The value of support from others who have walked a mile in your shoes in immeasurable.? I felt at home with other adoptive families, foster families and faith-based child welfare professionals, and I felt understood in a way that doesn?t happen that often. Find a group of co-laborers and share your struggles. I did this during the conference, and was responded to with affirming head nods, prayers, and encouragement.

My professional response to this conference might get a bit bogged down with details and strategies. (As a side note, be on the lookout for ways that we, at Buckner, will be reaching out to local congregations and finding new ways to work together and?implement the things we learned at Summit VIII.)

In my personal life, however, I?m working within my small group at church to begin a support group for foster or adoptive dads (or those who want to be) next month.? What are some things you can do?

Greg Eubanks is the Buckner Area Vice President for National Operations. As an adoptive parent and an adoptive uncle, he is passionate about how Buckner ministries throughout the U.S. help to build strong families, whether through foster care, adoption or a host of other services that prevent families from ever having to separate. He has been with Buckner since 1994.

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