Everyone Can Do Something: A Field Guide for Strategically Rallying Your Church Around the Orphaned and Vulnerable

by Jason Johnson

We’re not all called to do the same thing, but we are all capable of doing something! When it comes to serving the orphaned and vulnerable, this can be the mantra of your church and the foundation of the foster care, adoption and orphan care ministry you establish — everyone can do something! Your church has the ability to make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families. The questions are not “can” you or “should” you, but “how” can you and “what” does that need to look like? That’s what this book is about. Everyone Can Do Something is a strategic field-guide specifically designed to help your church rally around caring for the orphaned and vulnerable. In it you will discover how * Clarify your message * Make the problem relatable * Connect people into a community of support * Develop a strategic plan * Use existing discipleship mechanisms in your church * Chart a clear path of ministry “next steps” * Plan and promote events …and so much more! Whether you are launching a new foster care, adoption or orphan care ministry or leading an existing one, you’ll discover the principles you need to take the next best steps for your church, your ministry and the families and children you are serving. For bulk orders of 10 or more books, visit www.everyonecandosomethingbook.com. Discounts apply.

Genres: Fostering, Adoption, Christian

136 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2020

About the author

There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Jordan Swails]

A friend/mentor has repeatedly shared the “everyone can do something” vision for years, and she lives out the “something” every day in her own life. This book demonstrates practical and actionable ways each of us can do the same.

Chapter Four was my favorite overall: “The world says we should avoid hard and broken things, insulate ourselves from them and isolate our families from them. The gospel, however, suggests an entirely different posture and perspective. It compels us to ‘incarnate’ — to step towards and wrap ourselves up in them.

This could include … engaging their neighbor, opening their home to foster care, investing in renewal initiatives overseas, partnering with human trafficking rescue efforts in your city, feeding the homeless and the list could go on.

The opportunities to incarnate ourselves into hard and broken places are endless and full of diversity. The application of incarnation in foster care and adoption efforts is clear and undeniable. Why would we immerse — or incarnate — ourselves into hard and broken places? Because that’s what Christ has done for us.”


*Though I enjoyed the overall message here, I’d be remiss not to mention: if you pick this one up, be prepared to look past the multitude of spelling and grammatical errors in order to see the heart of the book clearly.

[Mike King · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Everyone Can Do Something” is a short, practical book for churches who are interested in creating a foster care ministry within their local communities. Jason Johnson lays out a framework with simple ways that every person in a local church can have an impact in the life of a foster child. As he points out, people do not have to open their homes to serve the fatherless but Everyone Can Do Something.

Johnson also provides practical wisdom and next steps for leadership in crafting a plan and its execution. The featured infographics and charts are also helpful. Perhaps the best part of this book are chapters 4 & 5 where Johnson defines what it means that “Everyone Can Do Something,” how to communicate it to the church, and how to get the body involved.

This is a must read for anyone looking to get more involved in foster care. The vision is clear: Everyone Can Do Something.

[Hannah Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

More geared towards groups wanting to start a church ministry rather than individuals looking to get involved- maybe a more helpful resource down the road??

The most helpful thing I got out of this book was idea of getting involved in adoption/foster care/social work of any kind because of Christ, incarnate, coming down to us in our need. The implications that we are called to be Christlike by “incarnating” and intentionally stepping into hard and broken things, rather than insulating ourselves and our family… wowwww

“Jesus was ‘born of a woman’ (incarnation) in order ‘that we might receive adoption’ (adoption) into his family (loosely from Gal. 4:4-5)

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to see this resource available to me as I start a foster care/adoption/orphan care ministry at my church. It has been an invaluable resource to help me focus my ideas, give reasonable and attainable goals, and get started on this journey. I wish it was easier to read as in the font size is tiny and the pages are strangely formatted.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very helpful guide for churches who are seeking to care for adoptive and foster families as well as churches who already have an established adoption and foster care ministry who are seeking to learn and grow. It's well written, broken down into clear sections, and it both informative and encouraging.

[Darren Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this resource for those in the church wanting to build a ministry around orphans, adoption, and foster care. This is the go-to guide. I'd suggested meeting over a few weeks and working through a couple of chapters at a time.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shares such an honest and encouraging insight into foster care in the U.S. the author talks about the biggest fears we face thinking about fostering but also Gods calling to love despite differences. A must read!

[Darren Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admittedly skimmed this one as it was based off a lecture I attended. Great information for the local church. Adoption and foster care strategies.

[Tom Bazan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good suggestions for starting a foster/adoption ministry at a church. The layout I found to be less than reader-friendly. But I am glad I read it.

[Martha Mason]

Great advice on how to get involved in adoption and foster ministry