Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care

by Tony Merida, Rick Morton, David Platt (Foreword)

Orphanology unveils the grassroots movement that’s engaged in a comprehensive response to serve hundreds of millions of orphans and “functionally parentless” children. You’ll see a breadth of ways to care with biblical perspective and reasons why we must. Heartwarming, personal stories and vivid illustrations from a growing network of families, churches, and organizations that cross culture show how to respond to God’s mandate. The book - churches―to plan preaching, teaching, ministering, missions, funding adoption, supporting orphans; - individuals and families―to overcome challenges and uncertainties; - every believer―to gain insights to help orphans in numerous ways. Discover how to - adopt; - assist orphans in transition; - engage in foster care; - partner with faith-based fostering agencies; - become orphan hosts. Along with their families’ adoption stories, Merida and Morton give steps for action and features on churches doing orphan ministry, faith-based children’s homes, orphan-hosting groups, and other resources.

Genres: Adoption, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Parenting, Fostering, Religion

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Tony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, NC. Tony is the author of Faithful Preaching, co-author of Orphanology, and serves as a general editor and as contributor to the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series (B&H Publishing Group) along with David Platt and Danny Akin. He is married to Kimberly, with whom he has five adopted children.

Reviews

[Brandon Stiver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book in the line of solid Christian books that are coming out discussing the need for godly orphan care and adoption within the Christian church. Based on the title, I was initially expecting this book to be more scholarly (like the the study - "ology" - behind orphan care and orphan problems), but that's not really what this is. The reader should understand (which you do early on in the book) that this book pertains more to the theology behind Christian orphan care - which the subtitle certainly points to. The book starts with a biblical view of orphan care and then from that standpoint builds on how we as the church, in response to scripture, take care of the orphans in our midst. I liked that this was the premise as in my own ministry, the biblical mandate and example is where I start with advocating to the Tanzanian church concerning the plight of orphans in our midst. I definitely recommend this book for this theological premise.

Without a doubt, my favorite part of this book were the personal testimonies of families that brought children home into their families. The adoption stories were so moving and spoke to places in one's heart that the stats, ministry designs and even a plain reading of scripture could touch. The adoption stories were about reading the Bible, but were about living the Bible. These stories were spread throughout at the end of each chapter, but the ones early in the book are the best.

Out of the theological foundation, the authors get into a lot of ministry strategies for how to live out those gospel-centered orphan care which was an important and hopefully motivating portion of the book. While I may have a little different viewpoint on a couple items in the majority world orphan care landscape, their hearts, passions and impact are clear. They ask a lot of important questions and share about some great ministries and ministry models that I had never heard of before.

All in all this is a great intro to Christian orphan care and different strategies that are making an impact. I do recommend this book.

[Leah Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading many non-fiction books about the same topic makes it challenging to write reviews that are as unique as the books themselves. There is, of course, some overlap. But there is also so much different content in each book. Orphanology was most similar to Orphan Justice, but the two books are definitely different. Orphan Justice emphasize understanding the social and economic issues surrounding orphans and our individual responsibility towards those needs. Orphanology stresses the importance of fulfilling our responsibility to the fatherless regardless of how they ended up in that situation. It also puts a greater emphasis on the responsibility of the church as a whole.

I'd recommend this book most especially to church leaders or family members of church leaders. However, it is great reading for anyone concerned about the topic. The resources in the appendix alone will keep me busy for a good long while.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

very disappointing book - can someone please try again? we need a book on best practices in orphan care written to a broad church-based audience, but this book fails at its mission - it does not, in fact, emphasize or recommend any of the family based best practices in int'l orphan care research. Nor does it delve deeply into the ethical complexities and pitfalls of international adoptoin.

[Missions M/D]

Orphanology unveils the grassroots movement thats engaged in a comprehensive response to serve hundreds of millions of orphans and functionally parentless children. You ll see a breadth of ways to care with biblical perspective and reasons why we must.

Heartwarming, personal stories and vivid illustrations from a growing network of families, churches, and organizations that cross culture show how to respond to God's mandate.

The book empowers: - churches to plan preaching, teaching, ministering, missions, funding adoption, supporting orphans;- individuals and families to overcome challenges and uncertainties;- every believer to gain insights to help orphans in numerous ways.

Discover how to - adopt;- assist orphans in transition;- engage in foster care;- partner with faith-based fostering agencies;- become orphan hosts.Along with their families adoption stories, Merida and Morton give steps for action and features on churches doing orphan ministry, faith-based children?'s homes, orphan-hosting groups, and other resources

[Darren Sapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t let the title make you think this is an academic work. This is an innovative work. This is about how it’s done, not platitudes. You want to know what you can do in orphan care and adoption? How to get started? Your churches role? This is that book.

As of 2013, the church has a greater awareness for the vast number of orphans that exist but it sometimes ends at awareness. Read this book and ask yourself; can I serve in one of these ministries? Should I move forward with adoption? Don’t wait, act now! Listen to Merida and Morton. Say, “today is the day that I put in that application for adoption or foster care, that I go on that mission trip, that I meet with a friends in church and start that hosting ministry, that I help fund an anti-trafficking organization.

The only revision I might suggest is identifying themselves when speaking in the first person. I wasn’t sure which author spoke at certain points.

Thank you Tony Merida and Rick Morton for this book and serving the orphan.

Darren Sapp
Ghana Christian Alliance for Orphans

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found much of this book to be sermon-like, which was fine but not what I expected. I really enjoyed reading personal adoption stories and stories of how orphans lives were changed. Coming from a small church, I feel it would be very difficult to implement many of the ideas in this book. $10,000 may not seem like a lot to some churches, but it is a seemingly impossible amount in a church of 100 people. Much of the book was directed toward pastors and leaders asking them to change the climate around orphan care by making it a priority. I did find this book hopeful. It was wonderful to read about how the Church is sharing God's love with orphans around the world. Our family has been interested in domestic adoption, but after reading this I feel that we might need to explore international adoption further.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How can we make a difference in such a huge, complex situation with the little bit of money and time we have?" p. 142

This book attempts to tackle a big topic: orphan care. While it talks about adoption and the biblical grounds for adoption, this isn't a book just about adoption, but about the state of the millions of orphans worldwide, many of whom are not adoptable, and ways the church can practically care for orphans.

The quote above is how I feel most of the time. The numbers and needs are overwhelming, but the authors give a compelling argument that there are lots of ways to care for orphans.

The first half of the book really applies to anyone, while the second half at times was written specifically for pastors and church leaders.

[Craig Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book on adoption and orphan care that every believer needs to read. The authors main argument is that every Christian and church needs to be involved in adoption and orphan care because that is what God has called his people to do.

The authors weave personal experiences and theology with application on how churches and individuals can be obedient to God's desire of all of us to be involved in adoption and orphan care.

This book will make you cry, feel ashamed and encourage you all at the same time.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely tilted toward pastors and church leaders, though there were highlights of personal ways to care for orphans. I like that it didn't only stress adoption but also others ways of caring for orphans - foster care, camps, financially, etc.

I wish it were Orphanology AND widowology-- there's not much in the way of caring for widows, even though they are OFTEN mentioned in the very same verses as the fatherless. God's heart is for any who cannot defend themselves. Guess that's another book...

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a challenge to every Christian to take part in coming to the aide of the orphan....whether that means by adopting, or simply living out the Gospel through ministry to the fatherless. Written by two adoptive fathers, there is great passion for gospel-centered adoption and care of orphans all over the world. They give a very thorough look at the biblical answers to questions on adoption, and also some very practical advice to churches on how they can get involved in orphan care.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book. It lays a foundation for the theology of orphan care, gives practical ideas for individuals and churches to take up orphan care (though not very specific), and shares (a few) inspiring stories of adoption and foster care. This book is Biblically based and motivated but isn't just a philosophical book. Great combination of why and how.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book if you are looking create and adoption awareness and culture in your realm of influence. I found it a little dry and hard to get through at times but it is a good book to keep for reference in the future.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book was preaching to the choir, I loved it. Simple, engaging, yet thought-provoking, it would be great for a church willing to put the plight of the orphan at the top of its mission focus.

[Phil Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for anyone thinking about adoption or starting any kind of ministry to orphans. Truly a wonderful representation of God's love for us and how ordinary people are doing His work to care for them.

[Mikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the orphan crises and practical ways to do something. . . not only by adopting.

[Hannah]

Planning to come back and finish this, it's just that at this point I've been "currently reading" it for so long that I should just restart it when I can focus more closely on it.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great primer on the spectrum of orphan care

[Yipeng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly stories and examples of programs.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish Christians would latch on to this!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book!

[Abel Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is book presented the biblical mandate for orphan care. Many options were explored to be involved in caring for the fatherless both locally and internationally.

[Lydiathekicker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The directive given here was basic and good: "True and undefiled religion is to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

The authors had some great ideas; I particularly loved the idea of a church adopting an orphanage and maintaining a long-term relationship with those children and workers. The book is full of frank discussions on the difficulties of orphan care, yet it does not diminish God's command to do so.

[Veronica Eberlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was helpful in looking at the scope of the needs of orphans around the world. There a many typos and a bit scattered tones in the story telling due to multiple contributors. Not the best written book I've read--but the topic is solid and worth exploring for anyone beginning or considering an adoption journey.

[Derek Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of great ideas, and stories of families following God’s command to love and care for orphans. You don’t have to only adopt to help orphans. This book gives you great ideas on how to come along side of people in your community who have adopted or foster.

[Across the Stars · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the basic premise and theology is sound, but ultimately this book is far too outdated and misses or brushes over discussion of too many critical elements (such as ethical considerations that can't be overlooked or science-backed best practices) to be recommended.

[Amy Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book. I read it thinking it would be more for potential adoptive parents, but it really is more geared to churches to help them start orphan care ministries.

[Eric Huber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Merida's poor handling of key biblical texts is why this book only warrants two stars. It is unfortunate since the book is filled with good creative ideas in caring for orphans.

[Elise Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read to help you guide your thoughts and involvement in the care of orphans from three men who have all answered the call to adopt.

[Bart McNaughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have to read this book per se, but every believer in Jesus should at least read one like it. Adoption is at the heart of the gospel, yet it isn't at the heart of many churches today.

[Laura Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book