As Christians, we are called to care for vulnerable children, including orphans, widows, and those who are marginalized (James 1:27; Matthew 25:40). Churches are uniquely equipped to not only raise awareness about the foster care crisis but also to provide ongoing support for families who choose to foster.
If youโre feeling called to help, but arenโt sure where to start, the following six practical steps can help you get your church involved in foster care:
1. Raise awareness and educate your congregation
Start by educating your church family about Godโs heart for the orphan, adoption, and the children in foster care. Engage your pastor in teaching about these issues from the pulpit or through Sunday School lessons. Christian Alliance for Orphans offers great resources to help churches begin conversations on these topics.
You can also invite foster families within your congregation to share their personal experiences during services, allowing your church to hear firsthand the impact foster care has on families.
2. Rally around foster families in your church
Once foster families are identified, support them in practical ways. Encourage small groups, Sunday school classes, or other church ministries to โadoptโ a foster family and offer ongoing help. This could include bringing meals when new children are placed, offering babysitting services, donating needed items such as clothing or furniture, helping with house chores, or providing mentorship and emotional support.
By doing this, you’llย build a strong community of care that fosters lasting relationships and encouragement.
3. Celebrate and commission foster parents
Just as churches have parent-child dedication ceremonies for biological families, consider doing the same for foster parents. Jason Johnson from Christian Alliance for Orphans suggests recognizing foster parents during a church service, praying over them, and dedicating the congregationโs support to their journey.
This public acknowledgment can offer foster parents a powerful sense of support and remind the congregation of the importance of foster care.
4. Provide training for church staff
Itโs crucial to equip your churchโs childrenโs and youth pastors, staff, and Sunday School teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to support foster children. Children in foster care often face unique challenges due to trauma and instability, and their needs may differ from those of other children in the church.
Providing training on how to create a welcoming environment and understanding trauma-informed care can help ensure foster children feel safe and valued in your church community. Christian Heritage offers several different trainings for church staff, including an annual Church & Trauma Summit. CH also has an assessment tool designed to help your church evaluate how ready it is to serve vulnerable people.
5. Host informational meetings
Consider hosting informational meetings for families interested in becoming foster parents. Promote the meeting during church services, in the bulletin, and on social media to reach as many people as possible. These meetings can be a great way to provide practical guidance for those feeling called to foster but unsure of where to start.
6. Organize a respite night
Foster parents often need respite and time to recharge. Offering a “Parentโs Night Out” once a quarter at your church can be a much-needed break. Invite foster parents to drop off their children for a night of fun activities, while they enjoy a date night or personal time. This is a simple yet impactful way to support foster families by giving them a chance to rest and strengthen their relationships.
Your church can make an impact in foster care
By taking these practical steps, your church can make a significant difference in the lives of foster children and families. The work may seem overwhelming, but with a united, caring church community, we can offer hope and help to some of the most vulnerable in our society.
Need a partner to strategically think through how to engage your church in foster care? We’re here for you. Get in touch and we’ll help you create a plan to get your church involved in foster care in Nebraska!
