This provides a young woman with a mother and father role model, and is also a good way to build partnerships with local agencies and pregnancy centers. Churches can also support or even start maternity homes. Many maternity homes are staffed by married couples who model a godly marriage and the importance of fathers to young women. Adoption rates at maternity homes are usually higher than the national average, due in part to the continued counseling and support young women receive. Pastors can play a key role in providing important counseling during this time of decision-making.
Churches can play a key role in supporting families who adopt children with special needs.
One Presbyterian pastor and his wife adopted a daughter with physical disabilities that confine her to a wheelchair. Agencies charge fees, travel for parents and child can add up, and some foreign governments have non-negotiable fees in order to adopt a child from their country. Many families who would consider adding to their family through international adoption discount the idea after discovering the cost. One answer is for the church to view international adoption as a mission outreach, and to fund and support it accordingly. Individual churches could set aside missions dollars to help families in their congregation afford this kind of adoption.