On Adoption and Orphan Care: A Proposed Resolution
— Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 —
Yesterday I submitted a resolution to the Resolutions Committee of the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention. The Resolutions Committee has full power to decline or rewrite any resolution so just because this is submitted doesn’t mean it will be voted on by the SBC. That’s entirely at the discretion of the committee. Nonetheless, below is the resolution I submitted for their consideration.
“On Adoption and Orphan Care”
WHEREAS, in the gospel we have received the “Spirit of adoption” whereby we are no longer spiritual orphans but are now beloved children of God and joint heirs with Christ
(John 14:18; Rom. 8:12-25; Gal. 3:27-4:9; Eph. 1:5); and
WHEREAS, the God we now know as our Father reveals himself as a “father of the fatherless” (Ps. 68:5) who grants mercy to orphans (Deut. 10:18; Hos. 14:3); and
WHEREAS, our Lord Jesus welcomes the little ones (Luke 18:15-17), pleads for the lives of the innocent (Ps. 72:12-14), and shows us that we will be held accountable for our response to “the least of these my brethren” (Matt. 25:40); and
WHEREAS, the Scripture defines “pure and undefiled religion” as “to visit orphans and widows in their trouble” (Jas. 1:27); and
WHEREAS, the satanic powers have warred against infants and children from Pharaoh to Moloch to Herod and, now, through the horrors of a divorce culture, an abortion industry, and the global plagues of disease, starvation, and warfare; and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have articulated an unequivocal commitment to the sanctity of all human life, born and unborn; and
WHEREAS, a denomination of churches defined by the Great Commission must be concerned for the evangelism of children—including those who have no parents; and
WHEREAS, upward of 150 million orphans now languish without families in orphanages, group homes, and placement systems in North America and around the world; and
WHEREAS, our Father loves all of these children, and a great multitude of them will never otherwise hear the gospel of Jesus Christ; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, June 23-24, 2009, express our commitment as a denomination of churches to join our Father in seeking mercy for orphans; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we call on each Southern Baptist family to pray for guidance as to whether God is calling them to adopt or foster a child or children; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we encourage our pastors and church leaders to preach and teach on God’s concern for orphans; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we commend churches and ministries that are equipping families to provide financial and other resources to those called to adopt, through grants, matching funds, or loans; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we ask our International Mission Board and North American Mission Board to prioritize the evangelism of and ministry to orphans around the world, and to seek out ways to energize Southern Baptists behind this mission; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we encourage Southern Baptist churches to join with other evangelical Christians in recognizing November 8, 2009, as “Orphan Sunday,” focusing that day on our adoption in Christ and our common burden for the orphans of the world; and be it further
RESOLVED, that we hope what God is doing in creating an adoption culture in so many churches and families can point us to a gospel oneness that is defined not by “the flesh” racial, economic, or cultural sameness but by the Spirit unity and peace in Christ Jesus; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that we pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit on Southern Baptist congregations so that our churches increasingly will announce and picture, in word and in deed, that “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.”
35 Responses to “On Adoption and Orphan Care: A Proposed Resolution”
Trackbacks
- Dr. Moore’s proposed resolution « so that we might receive adoption
- Proposed SBC Resolution on Adoption and Orphan Care « Just O.N.E.
- Together for Adoption » Blog Archive » On Adoption and Orphan Care: A Proposed Resolution
- Russell Moore’s proposed resolution on adoption and orphan care | From Hope to Reality | The Adoption Blog of Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency
- Adopted for Life Book Review (Russell D. Moore) Book Review
- On Adoption and Orphan Care: A Proposed Resolution « ABBA Fund Blog
- on fingerprints, immunizations, and Southern Baptists « Our Ephesians 1 Baby
- Adoption and Orphan Care Resolution: PASSED « ABBA Fund Blog
- SBC Adoption and Orphan Care Resolution: PASSED « Just O.N.E.
- Southern Baptist’s Support Adoption « Circulation of Grace
- GOD IS MOVING « Room for at least One More
Russell, thank you for writing your book. I’m working a proposal for an orphan care ministry at my church and your book came at just the right time.
My wife and I have adopted 10 orphans (yes, no typo, ten) and we see God moving other families to step out in faith and compassion.
Praying for you!
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Greg, That’s fantastic! May God bless you as you picture the gospel by equipping Great Commission families! In Christ, RDM
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Dr. Moore,
I literally read this today within an hour of returning from lunch with my pastor, sharing my heart about starting an adoption and orphan ministry at our church. Thank you for your submission of this resolution, and also for your book which I am just starting to read.
Is there any process by which I (and perhaps others) could encourage the committee to submit this resolution for a vote?
Thank you again for your work and your encouraging writings here on your blog.
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Tim, thanks so much for your comments. No, I don’t think any communication with the committee is necessary. It’s a really, really strong committee with an outstanding chairman. I trust them to do what’s best, either way. Congratulations on the steps toward orphan ministry at your church! I’ll be praying for great success!
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Dr. Moore,
Is Orphan Sunday an already established date for Nov 8, 2009, or are you simply proposing that? I was just noticing that was the same date as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It would be a shame to have 2 great emphases competing with each other on the same Sunday.
As an adoptive parent, I love your resolution and appreciate the lead you have taken on this issue in our denomination.
Excog
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Great resolution, Dr. Moore. I used to work for Connie Maxwell Children’s Home (S.C. Baptist ministry) and Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children (now Sunrise Children’s Services) and am very aware of the tremendous need for Christians who are called to be foster parents. It’s not for everyone but for those whom God leads in this direction, it is a wonderful blessing and opportunity to truly serve some of the “least of these.”
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Dr. Moore,
Thank you so much for this resolution. I am currently reading your book and my wife and I are praying about adoption. We are also beginning an orphan ministry in our church - I am excited to see that other churches are as well - to God be the glory!
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Dr. Moore!
Glory to God!! You are serving the orphan with excellence!! God bless you richly as you use His favor on your ministry and family to be a voice for those without…
Praying that God will melt every Pastor’s heart with active-compassion toward the fatherless!!!
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God is moving in and through the SBC. If you look at this years VBS materials from Lifeway (the 0-2 Year old study) you will see a little girl adopted from Ningdu, China. She and my daughter shared the same room in the Ningdu orphange. Thank you for this resolution for both the children and their forever families. It can not be said enough the true blessing is recieved by the parents not given to the child.
God bless you,
Mike
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Mike, That’s great! I hope to look at the VBS materials soon. I am thrilled to hear that adoption-as-mission is part of our VBS curricula. If it weren’t for Vacation Bible School, I would not be in ministry today.
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@Russell D. Moore,
If you can not find it you can check it out on our blog site.
“threegeorgiapeaches.blogspot.com”
See articale on Lotte Moon to see picture of VBS lit.
I have posted your link and Resolution.
Once again THANKS!
Mike C
Dr. Moore,
I’m struck by the beauty, passion, relevance and challenge that this resolution presents to the SBC. The heart of our salvation is all about adoption by a Father who embraces us simply because He loves us.
I’m the Creative Director of Media Services at NAMB and have often wondered why there is no focus on orphans. What more precious people group could there be than those abandoned both in and outside of the womb? I’ve been passionate about advocating adoption (as 1 of 13 children in my own family) and illuminating the truth about abortion for years. You can see why at http://www.shouldhavebeenaborted.com or watch a short vid at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAHSgXKClDo .
I pray that this resolution pierces the hearts of each individual given the privilege of voting. Thank you for your insight and initiative!
Blessings,
Ryan Scott Bomberger
http://www.shouldhavebeenaborted.com
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Dr. Moore,
Love the resolution and enjoyed the couple of sermons on adoption and orphan care. I met you at the event in Dallas and appreciate you preaching on this subject. I am praying for more pastors to preach this subject to their congregations. One sermon by one pastor might inspire one couple to bring home one orphan.
Press On,
Darren
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This is great! Boycott selfishness & really Choose Life!
-mom to Jane-Grace (3rd ethiopian court date June 16)
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Dr Moore, I am just amazed at the future possibilities and call to action within your resolution, and I will be praying for an outpouring of support! Stepping out in faith and adopting is a risky venture … but a venture that is filled with rich blessings. So many people comment what a blessing our family is to our adopted children, but what they don’t realize is the amazing blessing our adopted children have been to us!! We are praying for you as you fight for the fatherless. From a mom of 4 (2 adopted from Ethiopia). Karen Wistrom http://www.family-from-afar.blogspot.com
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Our family will be praying for this resolution to pass…we are an adoptive family of a special needs child and are so grateful for God changing almost every part of us through this wonderfully hard blessing. What a testimony the church would be to the world if churches lived this out. Thank you for proposing it.
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I fully support this resolution, but won’t be able to vote for it, since my wife and I will be in Addis Abba, Ethiopia picking up our son that we are adopting (he is no longer an orphan). Thank you for your support of orphans. We have made a video and posted it on our blog http://www.colefamilyadventure.blogspot.com to tell our story.
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Dr. Moore,
Thank you for your passion for the Gospel and desire to see the church care for the orphans of the world!
It is amazing to see God stirring His church this way all around the country. I’m praying for that outpouring in your final resolution!
Grace and peace,
Jason
ABBA Fund
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Jason, Thanks so much! I am grateful to God for the mission and ministry of the ABBA Fund, and encourage everyone to support this great ministry!
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Ryan, I appreciate that greatly. I pray for God’s blessings on your strategic service at NAMB! RDM<
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As the mother of two older adopted children, former missionary and now association worker, I commend you for the resolution. It is about time our SBC takes notice and starts a movement! I will pray it is accepted. Bless you!
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WONDERFUL! LOVE IT! I am Executive Director of a pregnancy resource center and I fully believe that changing the face of adoption is THE primary answer to the issue of abortion.
Women in our pregnancy center shut down the idea of adoption because they don’t see it as a positive option and if the church arose to leave no orphan unloved then these women are more likely to consider this option. Especially when birthmoms are portrayed as courageous, respected, and loved!
Kudos to the SBC, if voted in, for taking steps to being known as those caring for orphans and other people in need! Its about time we are known for those things rather than not drinking, smoking, dancing, or having women pastors :-)
Again I say, LOVE IT!
Thank you,
Amber Lehman
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As the president and CEO of Food for Orphans, thank you for initiating such a wonderful resolution. Food for Orphans is pledged to assist churches to provide them whatever they need to make National Orphan Sunday a reality.
Please contact us at info@foodfororphans.org.
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Dr. Moore,
Thank you for your resolution.. My wife and I adopted a son from Novosibirsk, Siberia in 2003. He is the joy of our heart. We named him “Noah” because he gave us “rest” from infertility. I appreciate your heart for this important ministry within the church.
My fear is what the typical SBC family will adopt them into… Both parents working full time, sending them off to public school forty hours a week. Making them three sport atheletes and never eating a meal at a table together. I know that you know feeding them and housing them is not enough (Nebadchadnezer did that for some orphans in Daniel 1). What can we do to “make disciples” of them? Adopting them into the affluent American culture will take care of their hunger, but we must do more….. The lives of our Christian families must preach this, not just our pastors….
If orphans are the treasure of the church than we must raise them in the “Nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Are there important questions that we must address about child rearing, christian education?