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Until Every Child Is Home: Why the Church Can and Must Care for Orphans
“A wise and experienced guide, Todd Chipman offers practical direction on how local congregations can do better in our quest to care for those Jesus calls ‘the least of these my brothers.’ ” – Russell Moore , author of Adopted for Life Your church is doing so much already. Trying to convince people to do foster care or adoption can feel like just another daunting, impossible task. It’s hard enough to get volunteers for the nursery, much less volunteers to foster or adopt a child! But what if we’re thinking about it the wrong way? What if orphan care actually increases your church’s capacity to do ministry? What if this one ministry opens doors to many others? Discover how orphan care transforms 6 key aspects of your ministry, meet dozens of families and churches who have experienced the transformative power of orphan care, and learn how you can get involved even if you’re not ready to foster or adopt. After catching the vision for this vital ministry, you’ll be ready to join them!
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2019
4 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 8, 2019
What a fantastic book! Although Until Every Child is Home does contain some theological insights on adoption, it is primarily practical and profoundly personal. Todd Chipman knows first hand both sides of the adoption saga, having been adopted himself, and now being an adopted parent. The book is filled with personal stories of Christian families who participated in the life-changing experience of adoption.
Chipman definitely doesn't shy away from the difficulties inherent in adoption, but he also chronicles the joy that it can bring to children, parents, and families. The book is helpful in the many angles it takes to view adoption. Chipman considers the role that the local church can have in adoption. He talks about the racial implications of adoption and the way that adoption can be a part of the Great Commission. In probably the most heart-breaking section, he discusses the tragic fact that many foster care children graduate into sex trafficking.
If you want to know more about adoption- the need, the biblical imperative, or the process- I highly recommend this book. It has been thought-provoking, maybe life-changing, for my family. I received a digital copy of this book for free from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
Chipman definitely doesn't shy away from the difficulties inherent in adoption, but he also chronicles the joy that it can bring to children, parents, and families. The book is helpful in the many angles it takes to view adoption. Chipman considers the role that the local church can have in adoption. He talks about the racial implications of adoption and the way that adoption can be a part of the Great Commission. In probably the most heart-breaking section, he discusses the tragic fact that many foster care children graduate into sex trafficking.
If you want to know more about adoption- the need, the biblical imperative, or the process- I highly recommend this book. It has been thought-provoking, maybe life-changing, for my family. I received a digital copy of this book for free from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
May 19, 2023
“We care for orphans because we know what it is like to be cared for when we were in the crosshairs of the spiritual battle, dominated by Satan’s lies and living in darkness. In our vulnerable state, God went to battle for us in Christ. Orphan care is giving what we have received.”
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September 7, 2024
okay a really really good book, i think a lot of it wasn’t super new since i grew up spending weekends at adoption conferences but still cried a lot. i highly anticipate the day parker and i can bring kids into our home but also feeling very motivated to find ways to practice care for the fatherless in the meantime!!
November 12, 2020
the text was well structured. examples were used well to emphasize points. each chapter had discussion questions at the end to develop points and go deeper into an application.
the situations that lead to and surround children in the foster care system were explained as well as how the church can and should be involved in all aspects of this process.
although I'm not in a position to foster/adopt, I'm for sure in a position to support people in this stage of life. no slouch.
very much pro-life in housing children and giving them every opportunity to thrive.
the situations that lead to and surround children in the foster care system were explained as well as how the church can and should be involved in all aspects of this process.
although I'm not in a position to foster/adopt, I'm for sure in a position to support people in this stage of life. no slouch.
very much pro-life in housing children and giving them every opportunity to thrive.
August 19, 2019
As a Christian adoptive mom myself, I have many opinions of why and how church as an organized religion should be answering the call to help kids in foster care. There are so many ways outside of being a foster and adoptive parent to support the children and their families. I hoped that this book would highlight the need, reference our doctrine calling us to help, and then layout a plan for the church to use as a guideline.
However, this book focused mainly on the doctrine quoting A LOT of scripture. More so than I think was needed to support the claim that as Christians we should care for orphans. Most atheists and agnostics would agree that we should help orphans - spiritual beliefs aside. This book was written by a pastor, and it felt obviously so. Start with a personal antidote, relay a full bible study, close with reiterating the connection of the antidote & scripture.
I found myself more interested in reading the adoptive memoirs the author referenced than the book in my hands. I even skipped over much of the Bible lessons, because I’ve read them many times already, they were long sections, & I didn't need convincing that this is a mission field with biblical backing. I’m already in it.
I’d recommend this book to pastors who are struggling with delivering a message to their church regarding the call to help orphans and who need help with their sermon. That is the only audience I see truly loving this book.
However, this book focused mainly on the doctrine quoting A LOT of scripture. More so than I think was needed to support the claim that as Christians we should care for orphans. Most atheists and agnostics would agree that we should help orphans - spiritual beliefs aside. This book was written by a pastor, and it felt obviously so. Start with a personal antidote, relay a full bible study, close with reiterating the connection of the antidote & scripture.
I found myself more interested in reading the adoptive memoirs the author referenced than the book in my hands. I even skipped over much of the Bible lessons, because I’ve read them many times already, they were long sections, & I didn't need convincing that this is a mission field with biblical backing. I’m already in it.
I’d recommend this book to pastors who are struggling with delivering a message to their church regarding the call to help orphans and who need help with their sermon. That is the only audience I see truly loving this book.
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December 29, 2024This is the first book I have read about foster care since starting our journey to become registered foster parents to persue respite care. I liked the style of testimonials paired with theological and scriptural connections. The book was short but slow at times so it took me a few months to finish it. But there were great nuggets of wisdom and some harrowing statistics that are good to know to keep the fire going to advocate for the vulnerable and love people well.
“Parents act as if they think their children are born perfect, and it is their job to get them to adulthood in that same state. But children are born with a sinful nature— they start out not like Jesus in a world not like Jesus. Kids need protection from themselves as much as other stuff out there and caring for kids without a family can develop kids for success in life because they grow up thinking about someone besides just themselves.”
“In the United States, there are roughly 425,000 children in the foster-care system and about 400,000 evangelical churches… This is a fixable problem. Poverty is very hard to fix, but the foster-care problem— the church could eradicate it.”
“Parents act as if they think their children are born perfect, and it is their job to get them to adulthood in that same state. But children are born with a sinful nature— they start out not like Jesus in a world not like Jesus. Kids need protection from themselves as much as other stuff out there and caring for kids without a family can develop kids for success in life because they grow up thinking about someone besides just themselves.”
“In the United States, there are roughly 425,000 children in the foster-care system and about 400,000 evangelical churches… This is a fixable problem. Poverty is very hard to fix, but the foster-care problem— the church could eradicate it.”
July 17, 2024
“Orphan care is not easy…that is why we need one another. This is the power of the church at its best. To lead by example.”
If you have never considered the need for more foster and adoptive parents, this is a great book for you. It has placed much of my experience with the two into encouraging words.
If you have never considered the need for more foster and adoptive parents, this is a great book for you. It has placed much of my experience with the two into encouraging words.
April 21, 2021
There were one or two minor things I would rephrase or reframe. For example, the author notes the positive impact that bringing foster children from other cultures to the local church can have on the church’s multicultural awareness and education. This certainly can be a positive and often is the case as God works in and through His people, meeting us all where we are. However, it is not ideal for children (who have already endured so much in their lives) to be the ones to encourage the growth and root out racism. Better a multicultural awareness in the local church be in place before bringing in foster children from other cultures so that the church can truly be a safe place for them. I would have emphasized that section differently, but landed in a similar place as the author has, since I believe God is doing the real work and does it in a multitude of ways. I did very much appreciate all this book had to say on the topic of orphan care.
November 8, 2019
Have you ever read a book where the author had such passion about a subject that you felt compelled to care a little more than you ordinarily would? Todd R. Chipman created one of those moments for me in his book, "Until Every Child is Home."
You see, Chipman is passionate about orphans, because he was one. He ended up in a good home with a family that loved and protected him, but that isn't always the case. Chipman uses this book to make us aware of the realities of the orphans in our communities. The need is great and the workers are few.
The great thing about this book was all the real examples used. Adoption didn't seem like this impossible and foreign thing. Anyone can do it. Ordinary people do it all the time. Arguably, Christians are called to take care of the orphans. It's surprising to me how little we see true adoption services taking place in the church. This critique is brought up and Chipman gives some clear guidelines on how a church could effectively start and foster and adoption ministry.
I think the biggest problem is how large this problem feels. When an issue feels insurmountable, it's intimidating. Chipman does good work in this book bringing the problem down to the small scale. And often his examples show when we start small big things can happen.
I have enjoyed this book and it's given me a lot to think about. Whether adopting in the future or making sure a family who does it well supported, this book is for everyone and anyone.
You see, Chipman is passionate about orphans, because he was one. He ended up in a good home with a family that loved and protected him, but that isn't always the case. Chipman uses this book to make us aware of the realities of the orphans in our communities. The need is great and the workers are few.
The great thing about this book was all the real examples used. Adoption didn't seem like this impossible and foreign thing. Anyone can do it. Ordinary people do it all the time. Arguably, Christians are called to take care of the orphans. It's surprising to me how little we see true adoption services taking place in the church. This critique is brought up and Chipman gives some clear guidelines on how a church could effectively start and foster and adoption ministry.
I think the biggest problem is how large this problem feels. When an issue feels insurmountable, it's intimidating. Chipman does good work in this book bringing the problem down to the small scale. And often his examples show when we start small big things can happen.
I have enjoyed this book and it's given me a lot to think about. Whether adopting in the future or making sure a family who does it well supported, this book is for everyone and anyone.
July 25, 2019
Until Every Child Is Home
Why the Church Can and Must Care for Orphans
by Todd R. Chipman
Moody Publishers
Christian , Parenting & Families
Pub Date 06 Aug 2019
I am reviewing a copy of Until Every Child Is Home through Moody Publishers and Netgalley:
Your Church is probably doing a lot already so trying to convince people to either take part in Foster Care or to Adopt can seem like a daunting and impossible task. It can be hard to get volunteers for Children’s church let alone to foster or even to adopt a child.
What if we are thinking about this in the wrong way though? What if caring for Orphans actually has a positive impact not only on the adopted or Foster Parents life, what if in fact increases your churches ability in various ministries? What if this one Ministry can help open the door for many others?
In this book you will discover how Orphan care can impact six key aspects of ministry. We will meet dozens of families and churches who have experienced the transformative power of orphan care, and learn how you can get involved even if you’re not ready to foster or adopt.
I give Until Every Child is Home five out of five stars.
Happy Reading!
Why the Church Can and Must Care for Orphans
by Todd R. Chipman
Moody Publishers
Christian , Parenting & Families
Pub Date 06 Aug 2019
I am reviewing a copy of Until Every Child Is Home through Moody Publishers and Netgalley:
Your Church is probably doing a lot already so trying to convince people to either take part in Foster Care or to Adopt can seem like a daunting and impossible task. It can be hard to get volunteers for Children’s church let alone to foster or even to adopt a child.
What if we are thinking about this in the wrong way though? What if caring for Orphans actually has a positive impact not only on the adopted or Foster Parents life, what if in fact increases your churches ability in various ministries? What if this one Ministry can help open the door for many others?
In this book you will discover how Orphan care can impact six key aspects of ministry. We will meet dozens of families and churches who have experienced the transformative power of orphan care, and learn how you can get involved even if you’re not ready to foster or adopt.
I give Until Every Child is Home five out of five stars.
Happy Reading!
October 29, 2019
*received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review*
This book is an excellent resource to use as a guide within the Church and as Christians. Chipman brings not only a great Biblical perspective, but also brings in personal examples from other families on why adoption and foster care is an important part of our Christian life. The personal stories of couples who have struggled with infertility or even just trusting God in the midst of chaos, were an encouragement and motivation. As a social work major, these facts were very intriguing for me and a motivation to help the foster care needs be met within the Church. Just like Chipman wrote in his text, there are numerous of verses that mention that one of our callings as Christians, is to help those who cannot help themselves.
This book is an excellent resource to use as a guide within the Church and as Christians. Chipman brings not only a great Biblical perspective, but also brings in personal examples from other families on why adoption and foster care is an important part of our Christian life. The personal stories of couples who have struggled with infertility or even just trusting God in the midst of chaos, were an encouragement and motivation. As a social work major, these facts were very intriguing for me and a motivation to help the foster care needs be met within the Church. Just like Chipman wrote in his text, there are numerous of verses that mention that one of our callings as Christians, is to help those who cannot help themselves.
December 31, 2019
Excellent book! This was informative, thought-provoking, and well-rounded. This book asks the difficult questions about foster care and adoption in the Church while providing a deep theological foundation for why it is a necessary ministry of the Church and families in it. The personal stories and professional profiles of families who foster and adopt sharing their stories were meaningful and captivating. The section about human trafficking and the ways that families can fight against it by preventative care was absolutely heart-breaking, but simultaneously inspiring. Would highly recommend this for individuals and small groups (there are discussion questions at the end of each chapter).
July 17, 2019
This book!
This book needs to be read by everyone who cares about answering the call to care for the "orphan and the widow."
Though this book is not deeply eloquent or entertaining, it is powerful!
So much truth packed into this short book that is a call to arms on the behalf of the vulnerable.
My family has adopted and been involved in housing children of families who are in crisis. This book addresses so many of the issues we have faced and encourages me to keep going.
Definitely a must read!
This book needs to be read by everyone who cares about answering the call to care for the "orphan and the widow."
Though this book is not deeply eloquent or entertaining, it is powerful!
So much truth packed into this short book that is a call to arms on the behalf of the vulnerable.
My family has adopted and been involved in housing children of families who are in crisis. This book addresses so many of the issues we have faced and encourages me to keep going.
Definitely a must read!
October 14, 2019
“But I fear that we who are concerned for our churches and the needs of orphans often expect too little of good and each other. This is unbiblical.” See Acts 2 for how we might expect to see God work in and through us, when we give up relying on our own strengths, agenda and priorities when it comes to adoption and foster care.
“In our church, it’s not a matter of whether you are going to be engaged, but how. Because this is who we are.”
A great and challenging read I look forward to discussing with my group.
“In our church, it’s not a matter of whether you are going to be engaged, but how. Because this is who we are.”
A great and challenging read I look forward to discussing with my group.
April 4, 2022
Great book. I thought it would be more conversational but definitely theological and lots of Bible verses/support for adoption and orphan care. I did the audio version. It is set up so you could use on a Bible study or small group setting also with questions at the end of the chapter.
I love all the personal stories of families who have embarked on this journey. And the story of the brothers who thought they would be returned after football practice because they accidentally set the house on fire. (They weren’t).
The section on sex abuse and trafficking are particularly agonizing.
I love all the personal stories of families who have embarked on this journey. And the story of the brothers who thought they would be returned after football practice because they accidentally set the house on fire. (They weren’t).
The section on sex abuse and trafficking are particularly agonizing.
July 6, 2019
I received an arc of this book on netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
It was kind of interesting, I'm interested in adoption and stuff, but it just dragged on too long.
It was kind of interesting, I'm interested in adoption and stuff, but it just dragged on too long.
December 31, 2020
Great book - Chapter 18 was especially interesting because I was in the same youth group as the woman spotlighted in this chapter. Highly recommend to anyone interested in orphan/foster care.
February 23, 2023
Was okay. A little dry. Information was fine though.
March 14, 2025
A good religious perspective of foster care and adoption. I found the parts about trafficking and prostitution interesting.
August 9, 2019
This book has challenged me more than any other book I’ve read in quite a while. It offers a very realistic and personal view of adoption (the author has adopted children himself), including both the joys and the difficulties. Chipman discusses the biblical mandate to adopt; ways that adoption and fostering (what he refers to as orphan care) can broaden a church’s ministry opportunities; interracial adoption; and the very real dangers that a child in the foster system can face. He uses real life examples from Christian families who have adopted to help illustrate what he writes about.
I firmly believe that every Christian should read this book. My family has been challenged, and quite possibly changed, by this book.
I firmly believe that every Christian should read this book. My family has been challenged, and quite possibly changed, by this book.
November 21, 2019
I came away with a new appreciation for the problems of adoption and the foster care system. I was struck by the close correlation felt by some between the foster system and the number of children that end up being trafficked coming out of that system. And I had never heard of SANE (Sex Abuse Nurse Examiner) as a specialty of emergency rooms. And the role social media plays in the trafficking culture makes for one more strike against that slice of our culture.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews