Here are the Top 3 most common barriers to churches creating Adoption Funds...and Lifesong's Solutions to overcome the hurdles.
Barrier: Church staff “plate is already full” to administer fund
Solution: Lifesong will manage/facilitate the Fund & carry the administrative load on behalf of church, using mutually agreed upon criteria (reviewing applications, accounting, donor receipts, disbursing funds on behalf of adoption, etc.)
Barrier: Church feels uncomfortable/awkward approving/denying their own families (viewing financials, etc.)
Solution: Lifesong will provide all the screening, reviewing, approving/denying as a ‘partner’ on behalf of the church, using mutually agreed upon criteria for those decisions
Barrier: Adoption Fund is unfamiliar territory
Solution: Lifesong has passion, and expertise in adoption funding processes, maximize stewardship, use existing grant/loan procedures, IRS approved, ECFA approved (establishes financial integrity & avoids recreating the wheel)
And one of the best aspects….Lifesong manages & administers the Adoption Fund - at no cost to churches!
Lifesong has helped numerous churches establish and launch their own Adoption Fund as a ministry of their local church. Let’s take a look at this concept…
How does an ‘Adoption Fund’ fit into my church’s vision/mission?
Evangelize the lost – Adoption is evangelism at its core…Bringing the mission field home, where children are loved, cared for, and discipled to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Edify the saved – Adoption Fund challenges, encourages, and enables Believers to put their faith in action, by stepping out in faith to adopt (fulfilling God’s commands in scripture). The process also provides an opportunity for couples to develop relationships with other Christians as they seek prayer and financial support.
Minister to those in need – There are millions of children waiting for forever families who would like to adopt them, but just can’t because of the financial barrier. By helping to reduce that barrier we are helping to rescue those children who are trapped in the cycle of orphan life.
Be a Conscience in the community – As the Church becomes obedient to God’s commands concerning the fatherless, the community will see Jesus Christ is alive and working in the lives of His people to care for those children who can’t care for themselves. “As Christians we are often known for what we are against, but the world doesn’t know what we are for. Jesus said ‘Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” – FamilyLife’s Hope for Orphans (Matt 5:16)
How does Lifesong help the Church
establish a Fund?
Launching a fund – Lifesong helps your church allocate funding from missions budget, benevolence fund or raised funds to launch ministry for Adoption Fund (Example: First Baptist Church allocates $15,000 to be used as interest-free loans and/or matching grants)
Administratively easy – Lifesong serves your church by using LS’s existing grant & loan management processes to administer your Church Adoption Fund (i.e. qualifying families on mutually agreed upon criteria, administering funds, etc.) This eliminates the need for the local church to “re-create the wheel” in establishing a Fund. Lifesong will help administer the Adoption Fund, at no cost to the Church or the Fund.
Engages Body of Christ – The Body of Christ as a whole is engaged in this Kingdom activity (local church, family, friends)
“Win-Win-Win” situation – The local church is actively involved on behalf of orphans, the financial roadblock for families is removed, the orphan child is adopted into a permanent Christian family…all with minimal administrative burden for the church.
Synergy – We can do more together (Local Church and Lifesong) than either of us can do solely on our own.
How does a local Church get started establishing an Adoption Fund?
Barrier: Church staff “plate is already full” to administer fund
Barrier: Adoption Fund is unfamiliar territory
Launching a fund – Lifesong helps your church allocate funding from missions budget, benevolence fund or raised funds to launch ministry for Adoption Fund (Example: First Baptist Church allocates $15,000 to be used as interest-free loans and/or matching grants)
Administratively easy – Lifesong serves your church by using LS’s existing grant & loan management processes to administer your Church Adoption Fund (i.e. qualifying families on mutually agreed upon criteria, administering funds, etc.) This eliminates the need for the local church to “re-create the wheel” in establishing a Fund. Lifesong will help administer the Adoption Fund, at no cost to the Church or the Fund. 
Engages Body of Christ – The Body of Christ as a whole is engaged in this Kingdom activity (local church, family, friends)
“Win-Win-Win” situation – The local church is actively involved on behalf of orphans, the financial roadblock for families is removed, the orphan child is adopted into a permanent Christian family…all with minimal administrative burden for the church.
Synergy – We can do more together (Local Church and Lifesong) than either of us can do solely on our own.
