vision statement

We still need a vision statement. What do you think about--
"Empowering churches to help children in need"
I think this is what Safe Families uses but I like it because it is general enough to include Compassion, Foster Care, Safe Families, and Adoption and doesn't speak only to the adoptive families themselves but would address the whole church as being part of the effort. Thoughts?

Katie Couric's coverage of Safe Families is really great.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5023967n?source=search_video

Orphans in Washington

As of 2006, there were 2,361 orphans in Washington State waiting for adoption. I'm working on getting more information for different parts of the state and more current information, but we definitely know there is a need right here!

I found this source and this one for this information.

Prayer Guide

Here is a great prayer guide. It is specifically directed for prayer vigils for children in foster care, but there is a lot of cross over to Safe Families and adoption as well.

There are specific things to pray for regarding the workers, families, children, and the church, and the prayer needs they lay out cover the whole spectrum (pre-foster to post-adoption).

I see this as a great resource in helping our people know how to pray.

Adoption in God's Story of Redemption

Here is a very interesting talk on the theology of adoption from the Together for Adoption (T4A) conference by Dan Cruver (T4A Director). It is a fascinating discussion on the idea that adoption is vertical with God before it is horizontal with others. I haven't finished it yet, but it is great. 

Scriptures & Theology of Adoption

I am interested in finding Scripture references and information on our adoption in Christ, as well as being chosen, taking care of the orphan, and anything else along those lines.

Here are some references, as well as notes from this blog, that relate to our adoption in Christ. Please comment and add your own Scriptures that you have found as well.

Ephesians 1:5 Note:

1:5 predestined. Previously ordained or appointed to some position. God’s election of Christians (v. 4) entails his predestining them to something—in this case to adoption as sons (see also v. 11; Rom. 8:29-30). Hence, election and predestination in this context refer to God’s decision to save someone. All Christians, male and female, are “sons” in the sense of being heirs who will inherit blessings from their Father in heaven. Paul qualifies and stresses God’s plan and initiation of redemption with the phrase according to the purpose of his will here and elsewhere in the passage (Eph. 1:9, 11). God cannot be constrained by any outside force, and his inexorable will for believers is to pour out his grace and goodness on them in Christ Jesus.

Romans 9:4 Note:

9:4 In vv. 4-5 the great privileges of Israel are listed. The six blessings here can be divided into two parallel lists of three . . . The Israelites became God’s adopted people when God saved them from Egypt . . .”

Galatians 4:5 and 4:4-7 Notes:

4:5 Paul’s adoption imagery probably picks up the OT concept of God calling Israel his “son” and combines this with the Roman notion of adopting a son (usually already a grown man) in order to designate him as the heir to all the family wealth (see also note on 3:26).

4:6-7 because you are sons. Because Christians are now sons and “of age,” they are in a position to receive the inheritance, beginning with the promisedSpirit of his Son. Abba is the Aramaic word for “father” (cf. Rom. 8:14-17).

Romans 8:15 and 8:23 Notes:

8:15 Christians are no longer slaves to sin but are adopted as sons into God’s family, as evidenced by the Spirit that cries out within them that God is their father. sons. See not on Gal. 3:26. Abba is the Aramaic word for Father. Paul’s use of the term likely stems from Jesus’ addressing God as Abba (Mark 14:36).

8:23 God’s people also groan and long for the completion of his saving work. The tension is seen here between the already and not yet in Paul’s theology. Christians already have the firstfruits of the Spirit, but they still await the day of their final adoption when their bodies are fully redeemed and they are raised from the dead. Their adoption has already occurred in a legal sense (v. 15), and they already enjoy many of its privileges, but here Paul uses “adoption” to refer to the yet greater privilege of receiving perfect resurrection bodies.

Here are some similar notes from another source on the scriptural basis for adoption:

Here is a brief overview of adoption’s marking function in the grand story of redemption:

Act One: In Ephesians 1:4-5, Paul states that in love God the Father “predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” This is really quite amazing: adoption’s marking function began before God created the universe. Even before the earth existed God marked us out (i.e., predestined us) for the great privilege of being His children through adoption. Adoption was not a divine afterthought. It was in God’s mind even before the dawning of human history. One amazing truth we learn from Paul’s words here, as John Piper has said, is that “adoption is greater than the universe.”

Act Two: Given Israel’s central role in the unfolding story of God’s work of redemption, adoption’s importance within the story of salvation can be inferred from Romans 9:4 where Paul identifies adoption as one of the great privileges that Israel enjoyed as God’s chosen people. He writes, “They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.” Scholars believe that Israel received adoption, becoming God’s corporate son, when God constituted them a nation at Mt. Sinai, three months after He delivered His people from Egypt (See “Understanding the Love of Adoption” for more on Israel’s adoption). It is very significant that adoption shows up at this key moment within the unfolding story of redemption.

Act Three: In Galatians 4:4-5, referring to the wonderful climax of the story of redemption, Paul writes, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (emphasis mine). Paul identifies adoption as the grand purpose or objective of redemption. He could not have written it any more clearly. God sent His Son to redeem us so that we might be adopted! God the Father sent His eternal and natural Son so that we could become His adopted sons. Once again, adoption shows up at a key time—the climactic time—within the unfolding story of redemption.

Act Four: As I have mentioned a couple times already, adoption plays a leading role from before the beginning of the story of redemption (Ephesians 1:4-5) all the way to the consummation of redemption’s story when all of God’s adopted children enjoy the full privileges of their adoption on the new earth. In Romans 8:23, Paul writes, “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (emphasis mine). Paul identifies the redemption or glorification of our bodies as the consummation of our adoption. God, as it were, finalizes our adoption as sons when the story of redemption reaches its intended goal.

While the word adoption is only used five times in Scripture, its importance is established by the leading role it plays within the story of God’s gracious work of redemption. As we grow in our understanding of adoption’s central role within the grand story of redemption, we will find ourselves thinking vertically about adoption (i.e., God’s adopting us) before we think horizontally (i.e., Christians adopting children). As a result, our experience of horizontal adoption and our passion for orphan care will be greatly enriched.

Defining the Foster Care Experience

This recording is amazing, and I love the way they walk through Maslow's hierarchy of needs in relation to kids that have special needs. It is by Bruce and Denise Kendrick (with Embrace), foster parents to over 20 kids in 6 years, and now have adopted 2 kids in addition to their 3 biological children.

The Top 10 . . . of Top 10 Lists for Foster Parents

This is a great article from the folks at Embrace that has lots of good information for foster or adopt in a very succinct way.

My favorite items from the "10 things you thought you would never say" section is "I am his foster father, and No, I don't have his birth certificate or shot record. But he will be starting school today." It is so important to be our children's advocate.

There are some other really helpful ideas, like putting their picture and school work on the fridge within a few days, asking how they like their hair done and styling it that way, and so much more.

Be sure to look for 10 behaviors to watch for, 10 books to read, 10 helpful items we love, and 10 strengths you never knew you had, and much, much more.

What is That in Your Hand? - Dr. Karyn Purvis

Another great Dr. Karyn Purvis video. This had some repeat elements from the other video I posted, but also has some great information of things we each have available as tools for working with kids.

Some of the things she talks about include eye contact, do overs, and more.

What is That in Your Hand? - Dr. Karyn Purvis from Tapestry on Vimeo.

Effective Discipline Strategies for Adoptive & Foster Families - Dr. Karyn Purvis

This is a great video. KC & I watched it together, and found a lot of great ideas we can begin with our kids.

Effective Discipline Strategies for Adoptive & Foster Families - Dr. Karyn Purvis from Tapestry on Vimeo.

another blog by the same name

Noticed the original His Heart for Orphans has a blog with some pretty cool ideas! www.hisheartfororphans.blogspot.com

Opening video from the Christian Alliance for Orphans opening night

Summit V - Why are you here? from Tapestry on Vimeo.

Thanks for help with the jars

Thanks for all your help with the jars last night. You guys are amazing!

Tapestry

I am fascinated by the Tapestry ministry at Irving Bible Church. Specifically, I am most interested in the Small Groups and the Traveling Companions components, as well.

Here is some information I took from the conference as well as resources they have online. There is so much more information, but this is a start for some of the key areas I see:

• Practical Ideas for Adoption & Foster Care Ministries: this is my favorite article which describes some great ideas for a ministry and things we may want to focus on. They put a strong priority on families connecting in small group settings, building a ministry around the needs and not the other way around, using stories as a powerful way to connect with other's minds and hearts (but carefully vetting their stories to make sure there is a balance or reality and hope), having fun, and not forgetting about the guys (So Now What Do We Do? Practical Ideas for Adoption and Foster Care Ministries)
  
• Traveling Companions: this is a very important program that helps families providing foster care or adoption a means to gather the support around them that they need to be successful. It is not creating a giant call center with people's needs on one side and a list of people on the other side that are willing to help. Based on my understanding, it is a way that you gather support from family and friends so there are a few families that provide the majority of the support you need and you develop really deep and strong relationships. I am getting more information from both Tapestry and Embrace that have more information, but some information can be found here. I hope to have more information on this piece soon.
  
• Tapestry's Focus: education, support, and community involvement. They originally began with more of an adoption focus, and now incorporate foster care as well. (Tapestry's Ministry Plan from 2006)
• Challenges: Getting key leadership on board and focusing steadily on what God is calling us to (No One Said This Would Be Easy: Challenges to Expect in Adoption and Foster Care Church Ministry)

I look forward to hearing your comments on this and also seeing more of the items that you are finding. God is doing some great things!

Welcome

Welcome to the His Heart blog. This is intended as a resource for our team and others considering what it means for them to have Christ's heart for children.

Please view it as a resource, and give your comments, as this is meant to be a living and breathing way to inform each other of things we learn.