FamilyLife and RDM on Infertility, Adoption, Orphan Care
— Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 —
Last week, I had the joy of joining Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine on FamilyLife Today to talk about infertility, adoption, orphan care, our story, and Adopted for Life.
The program has sparked a lot of conversation and not a little controversy, particularly about my views on in vitro fertilization (cue the tune to the Johnny Cash version of “I Won’t Back Down” here). More than that though, I’ve heard from hurting infertile couples, waiting adopting families, and previously adopted children all over the country.
Here’s the audio for the programs. As you listen to them, be sure to thank God for Rainey, Lepine, and FamilyLife. There’s just no other organization out there like this, doing the good things they’re doing.
Grappling with Infertility (Day 1 of 3). This is a conversation about our grappling with infertility, what to do if you’re infertile, and how churches can minister to hurting people who want babies and can’t have them. I talk bluntly here with Dennis and Bob about how infertility can be a spiritually dangerous time.
Embracing Adoption (Day 2 of 3). This is a conversation about how to start thinking about whether God would call you to adopt, and how to get started, if so. It also helps friends and extended family members think about how they can empower adoption and orphan care.
Welcome to the Family (Day 3 of 3). This is a conversation about how we ought to think about moving beyond adoption into “normal” life in the family, including the family of the church.
I picked up part of the program in the car on a trip to NC last Friday. I will go back and listen to the entire interview, and you may have already adddressed this, but I would be interested in your perspective and advice for pastors dealing with couples who have gone through, or are considering, in vitro fertilization. How do we help to encourage them to consider adoption?
Specifically, how do we help the couple who does not come to us for counsel, but shares “please pray for us next week when we go to the doctor that 1 of the 3 eggs is viable.”
Thanks for speaking to this issue, Dr. Moore.
Thanks for posting these clips Dr. Moore. I look forward to checking ‘em out!
On a related note, could you share any articles, websites, or sermons you have come across that address the struggles of miscarriages? I’d really like to begin gathering a helpful list of resources for couples and families who are going through this trial, and have something to focus conversations that come up in the broader context of infertility. If it’s easier, you can email them to me, though I’m sure there are many others out there that could benefit from such a list.
‘BH
So what might we do if a baby were born to a family in our church, and we knew it was via IVF? I have friends in this position: they have a child they would not have at all if it weren’t for these technologies. (I’m paraphrasing Richard’s question above).
However, given the number of frozen embryos, one idea I have seen canvassed is “embryo adoption”, which might give couples, including Christian couples, the chance of a child they would not have otherwise.
Views? Because, if “children are the heritage of the Lord”, then how far are we prepared to go?