Creating and Nurturing a Culture of Adoption and Orphan Care in the Local Church: A Multiple Case Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT

CREATING AND NURTURING A CULTURE OF ADOPTION AND ORPHAN CARE IN THE LOCAL CHURCH: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY

Randall Damon Burns, Ed.D.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2015

Chair: Dr. Anthony Wayne Foster

This research, a multiple case study, examined three churches to identify the key strategies used to develop and sustain an orphan care culture within their congregations. A minimum of five participants were interviewed at each church. The qualitative research design was achieved by completing semi-structured interviews over the telephone. Following the interviews, I transcribed, coded, and analyzed the data.

This research identified four main strategies: teaching, leading, providing opportunities to engage, and developing support structures. Each strategy had sub-strategies. Teaching included awareness, communication, instruction, preaching, theology, Bible study, practical information, and training. Leading included types of leadership and methodology. The strategy providing opportunities to engage included raising awareness about the types of orphan care and making them accessible. Developing support structures included organizational support structures like a resource library and relational support structures like a support group.

Key terms: adoption, adoption culture, culture, forming culture, orphan, orphan care, orphan care culture, orphan care strategies.