Foster care is a complex and emotionally charged issue for Christians to consider. On one hand, James 1:27 says that pure and undefiled religion is to care for widows and orphans in their distress. This seems to point to a biblical mandate to care for vulnerable children who lack stable homes and families. However, foster care also brings up concerns about attachment, loss, and the role of the state versus the role of the church or individual families in caring for children in need.
There are strong biblical arguments on both sides of this issue. Ultimately, whether or not to become a foster parent is a personal decision that each Christian must prayerfully consider before the Lord. There are good faith reasons for Christians to come to different conclusions. below, we’ll walk through some of the key biblical principles and perspectives to consider.
Biblical Commands to Care for the Vulnerable
There are several biblical passages that seem to point to a responsibility to care for vulnerable children in particular. James 1:27 says: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (ESV)
God clearly has a heart for the orphan, the fatherless, and the vulnerable in society. Exodus 22:22 warns God’s people not to take advantage of or afflict widows or fatherless children. Deuteronomy 10:18 says that God “executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.” over and over again in Scripture, God calls his people to love and care for the vulnerable.
In the New Testament, James calls caring for widows and orphans an essential mark of true, practical religion. Jesus likewise models concern and care for children in need. When the disciples try to prevent people from bringing their little children to Jesus, he rebukes them and welcomes the children, saying the kingdom of God belongs to ones like these (Luke 18:15-17).
Given these and other biblical texts, many Christians feel called to become foster parents as a way of caring for the fatherless in their distress, providing a home for children in need of care and love. They see foster care as a direct way to live out the biblical call to care for orphans.
Concerns about Foster Care
However, there are also sincere concerns that some Christians raise about foster care. One concern is that the current foster system can sometimes fail to reunite children with their biological families or find them permanent adoptive families. Children can languish for years with no stability or permanence. Some Christians feel they cannot participate in a system that can harm children in these ways.
Another concern is that becoming a foster parent means partnering with the state to provide care for children. Some believers feel this entangles them too much with the government and may require them to compromise their beliefs in some situations. They believe caring for orphans should happen at the local church level rather than relying on state-run foster care.
A third issue is that being a foster parent means inviting children into your home and family who you may become attached to, only to possibly have them reunited with their biological family after months or years. The grief and loss this can cause is very real and needs to be carefully considered and weighed.
There are real emotional risks to the children and foster parents in the foster system. Some Christians feel they cannot open themselves and their families up to these risks. Overall, they have reservations about Christians becoming foster parents through the state system as it currently operates.
Assessing with Wisdom
How should Christians process these different biblical perspectives on foster care? There are a few principles to keep in mind.
First, pray and seek wisdom from the Lord. Foster care is not explicitly commanded in Scripture, but caring for orphans is encouraged. Ask God for wisdom and discernment about your role (James 1:5).
Second, follow your conscience before God (Romans 14:23). Make the decision based on your own understanding of Scripture, much prayer, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Third, have humility toward other Christians who weigh these factors differently (Romans 14:1-12). Do not judge those who feel led to foster care nor those with sincere reservations. Extend grace.
Fourth, consider ways to care for vulnerable children both within and outside of state foster care. Support foster families, donate to ministries serving at-risk kids, and look for local church efforts you can participate in.
Fifth, care for orphans in ways consistent with your gifts and limits. Not everyone is called to be a foster parent. There are other impactful ways to give and serve that may better fit your personality, family situation, and abilities.
Finally, remember that Christians’ identity and worth is in Christ, not our works. We care for orphans not to prove our faith but because Christ first loved us (1 John 4:19). Our service flows from the gospel. So walk in freedom, not guilt, as you consider how to care for children in need.
Biblical Principles on Foster Care
With wisdom and humility, we can walk through this complex issue. Here are a few key biblical principles for Christians to consider as they think through foster care:
- 1. God loves and cares about vulnerable children who lack family. He calls his people to reflect his heart.
- 2. Not everyone is required to be a foster parent, but every Christian should care about fatherless/needy children in some capacity.
- 3. Seek to care for orphans in ways that are within your ability and calling.
- 4. Local churches have an important role to play in supporting families/children in need.
- 5. Pray for wisdom, discernment and guidance from the Holy Spirit on personal decisions about foster care.
- 6. The state foster system has flaws but can still be the best current option in some cases.
- 7. There are emotional risks in foster care that require counting the cost.
- 8. Support foster families in your church/community in practical ways.
- 9. Remember that our good works do not save us – Christ does. Do all out of love, not guilt.
The decision about becoming a foster parent is complex. There is wisdom in seeking the Lord humbly while recognizing faithful Christians can sincerely come to different conclusions. As with all personal matters of conscience, the refrain of Romans 14 bears repeating: each one should be fully convinced in their own mind.
Practical Ways the Church Can Help Vulnerable Children
While foster care is one option, it is not the only way Christians and churches can care for vulnerable children. Here are some other practical ways to help:
- Partner with local foster care agencies – provide meals, respite care, donated goods/funds, mentoring programs, etc.
- Support young single moms with meals, childcare, parenting classes, job training.
- Start an orphan ministry at your church.
- Partner with a local Christian group home or children’s home.
- Offer free childcare at your church for single parents who need relief.
- Provide free counseling/therapy for foster kids and parents.
- Collect backpacks, school supplies, clothes, toys for foster kids.
- Begin an adoption/foster care support group at church.
- Fund scholarships for foster kids’ extracurricular activities.
- Collaborate with court-appointed advocates who represent children.
- Organize a team of Christian foster families in your church.
- Start a teen mom mentoring program.
There are so many ways that local churches can get involved beyond just foster parenting itself. Think creatively about matching the resources and abilities of your congregation to the needs in your community. When Christians unite to serve vulnerable children in practical ways, it can make an enormous difference.
How Churches Can Support Foster Families
For Christians who do feel called to foster care, it’s vital that churches provide practical, spiritual and emotional support. Here are some ways churches can support foster families:
- Give them a monthly financial contribution to offset costs.
- Set up a meal calendar so a meal is delivered to them each week.
- Offer free childcare at the church as needed for appointments, date nights, etc.
- Send encouraging cards and letters regularly.
- Provide pastoral counseling.
- Respect confidentiality.
- Avoid judgment about decisions they make regarding kids’ future.
- Donate clothes, toys, school supplies as needed.
- Give foster parents a break by taking the kids for an afternoon.
- Educate the congregation about foster care.
- Commit to ongoing prayer support.
Foster parents taking in children experience major upheaval and emotional tolls. They cannot sustain the work long without practical support from the body of Christ. When churches surround families with care and encouragement, more foster parents will arise from the congregation to continue the cycle of service.
Concerns and Cautions
Despite biblical calls to care for orphans, some Christians have valid concerns about the foster system. These include:
- Kids languishing in foster care long-term without permanency.
- Bio families not getting adequate support/services to reunite.
- Foster parents having rights terminated due to moral stance.
- Kids bounced around leading to attachment issues.
- Betrayal when kids reunited after long-term care by foster family.
- Burdens and costs of the foster process.
- Older kids not being selected for foster care.
- Abuse within some foster homes.
These are real issues in the current system. Foster care is messy because kids enter in difficult situations. It requires fortitude and should not be entered blindly. Wise counsel should govern the process.
Churches must thoughtfully acknowledge the flaws in the foster system that can impact families spiritually, emotionally and financially. However, the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. Imperfect as it is, foster care remains one way – not the only way – for Christians to lend a helping hand to kids in crisis.
Counting the Cost
Foster parenting is not for everyone. It involves major lifestyle changes and difficulties that should prompt serious reflection and prayer before jumping in. Areas requiring honest assessment include:
- Readiness to bring a stranger’s child into your home and family.
- Willingness to partner with state’s requirements.
- Prepared for child to leave your home once stabilized or reunited.
- Readiness for allegations or behavioral issues.
- Willingness to work with biological parents.
- Readiness for the licensing/approval process.
- Willingness to accept child of any age, gender, race, or special need.
- Potential impacts on biological children in the home.
- Burdens of additional parenting duties.
- Implications for family activities/travel.
- Risks of emotional burnout over time.
- Costs of adding child to home – financial, emotional, relational, spiritual.
Churches would do well to call potential foster parents to count the cost soberly before embarking. The road brings joys but guaranteed sorrows too. Wise counsel from current foster parents would provide an invaluable sounding board during the discernment process.
Caring for the Vulnerable
In conclusion, Scripture is clear that God loves and cares for the vulnerable. He calls his church to mirror that care in practical ways. Foster care offers one way to answer this call. It has blessings and challenges.
Wise Christians can thoughtfully disagree on whether foster care is the right choice for their family. But they should unite in finding creative ways to come alongside children in crisis. Our care should arise, not from duty or guilt, but from the joy of loving others as Christ first loved us.
The need is great, but God’s people are up to the task. When the churchoverflows with compassion and practical help for the vulnerable, the light of Christ shines bright.