I've got to admit that I was skeptical of this book. As an adoptive mother of three and former employee of an international missions organization, I have no time for overly simplistic, "warm fuzzy" presentations about orphan care. Thankfully, Orphan Justice is not that kind of book. It's a serious look at a global crisis that calls God's people to consider some ugly realities and then do something about them. Johnny Carr moves beyond the orphan crisis and examines serious issues surrounding orph I've got to admit that I was skeptical of this book.
Johnny Carr moves beyond the orphan crisis and examines serious issues surrounding orphans. In his words, "We can't say that we love orphans while failing to address the social ills that directly affect their lives. He challenges us to realize that we can all make a difference. Oct 28, Amy rated it it was amazing Recommended to Amy by: This book is not for the faint of heart. If you truly keep an open mind when you read it, you will not leave untouched.
Your eyes will be opened in a new way. I thought I knew about orphans. I have studied the issues surrounding abortion and human trafficking; I assumed I had a head start on this issue. I had no idea. Orphan Justice is blunt about the intellectual and emotional problem of orphans and how our world ignores them. It promotes adoption, but also offers many sol Note: It promotes adoption, but also offers many solution beyond adopting.
As a single girl still living at home, a lot of his recommendations were beyond my means at the moment. However, there were still quite a few things I could do. You won't go unscathed. Jun 01, Andrea Jones rated it it was amazing.
A book with a calling. And it called me. Dec 13, Amanda rated it really liked it Recommended to Amanda by: This book has probably changed my life. Nov 13, Leah Good rated it it was amazing Shelves: Have you ever noticed that guys and girls approach things differently? This was the first orphan care book I read that was written by a guy.
The first chapter knocked me back on my heels. Instead of the feminine, heartstring-tugging approach, Johnny Carr light into the social issues surrounding orphaned children with righteous anger. The first chapter moved from the story of his deaf, adopted daughter to the brutal reality facing many children who are never adopted--sex trafficking. The book mov Have you ever noticed that guys and girls approach things differently? Rather than focusing on adoption, he zones in on the social issues surrounding orphans.
He shows where the church is taking action and reveals the holes the church is failing to address. It deals with tough issues in a frank but loving manner. I got a headache from crying my way through this book. I'm talking about you--your time, your emotional energy, your immaculate house, your comforatable life, and your self-absorbed habits. How much did it cost Jesus? Oct 07, Rob rated it it was amazing. I would recommend this book to anyone considering adoption, orphan care, or foster care.
I'd also recommend this book to anyone who knows anyone in the above categories. This book deals with a number of the major topics outside, but related to adoption. Johnny does a great job of challenging us to consider the true implications of the Gospel in this area and to contemplate the ramifications of these on our daily lives both as ind I would recommend this book to anyone considering adoption, orphan care, or foster care. Johnny does a great job of challenging us to consider the true implications of the Gospel in this area and to contemplate the ramifications of these on our daily lives both as individuals and the larger Church.
What I appreciated most was his no-pulled-punches approach We as the church need this level of honesty and introspection. Jul 21, Laura rated it really liked it Shelves: He advocates adoption as only a part of the Church's call to care for children and at the end of every chapter includes a variety of ways to live mindfully in light of that call.
The endnotes for each chapter contain a wealth of information for additional research. In sum, Carr's book is not a definitive work on the issue of orphan care; rather, it is an accessible and moving introduction to the many intersections of orphan care and social justice issues. Jun 02, Renee rated it it was amazing Shelves: As a mother, I have a passion for orphans.
As the mother of 3 small children, I don't currently feel the call to adopt. This is the book for anyone similarly passionate about the plight of orphans, who doesn't see adoption as their calling. Carr outlines many peripheral issues that contribute to the problems that orphans confront, and calls the reader to greater awareness and action.
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Each chapter concludes with examples of actions that anyone can take, as well as actions requiring more commitmen As a mother, I have a passion for orphans. Each chapter concludes with examples of actions that anyone can take, as well as actions requiring more commitment specific people may feel called to undertake. Care of the orphan is the responsibility of all people of conscience, not just those who have the ability and opportunity to adopt.
Oct 01, Mary Harshbarger rated it it was amazing Shelves: Although I'm an adoptive parent to five of our six children, this book really opened my eyes to the plethora of social issues worldwide that contribute to the number of orphaned children.
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I believe that every child deserves to be part of a loving and stable family, but adoption is not for everyone. However, I recommend this book to anyone who has a heart to care for orphans in any way Carr's thoughtful summary at the end of each chapter offers practical ideas for "anyone", "many" or "few"; i Although I'm an adoptive parent to five of our six children, this book really opened my eyes to the plethora of social issues worldwide that contribute to the number of orphaned children.
However, I recommend this book to anyone who has a heart to care for orphans in any way Carr's thoughtful summary at the end of each chapter offers practical ideas for "anyone", "many" or "few"; if everyone stepped up to do at least something, no matter how seemingly small, the orphan crisis could well be on its way toward elimination. Jun 15, Rachel rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book has challenged both our organization and our family personally.
Carr encourages involvement in orphan care with stories, testimonies, scripture, and commentary, then ends each chapter with practical tips for different levels of involvement. I recommend Orphan Justice to any follower of Jesus. If you are involved in orphan care, it will be encouraging and may help you evaluate your involvement - are you doi "God made the family for children.
If you are involved in orphan care, it will be encouraging and may help you evaluate your involvement - are you doing all you should? If you are not involved in orphan care, it just may inspire you to do something. Jan 30, Phil rated it it was amazing.
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This is a fantastic book. Johnny's honesty, transparency, vulnerability, and boldness in his storytelling and calls to action capture you from the first page and keep you until the last. He encourages, empathizes, and sharpens you all at once - whether you are an expert in orphan care or the orphan's plight is just coming onto your radar. The chapters on racism and abortion alone are worth the price of the book.
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It will challenge the way This is a fantastic book. It will challenge the way you view the world, locally and globally. Feb 25, Honey rated it it was amazing. This book hits the heart of many political issues on orphans both within and outside of the church. It has raw truth and emotion and displays the orphan crisis for what it truly is. It convicts its reader to do something and tells you how, no matter how small your contribution may seem, its huge in the eyes of a child in need.
Nov 18, soteria rated it really liked it. Johnny Carr doesn't hold back in this book, Orphan Justice. He is honest about his own past mistakes but also passionate about sharing God's truth regarding the orphans of this world.
Orphan Justice: How to Care for Orphans Beyond Adopting
It's a book all Christians can benefit from reading if we have open hearts. Sep 08, Melissa rated it it was amazing Shelves: This is a key issue of our day, especially for the people who believe that "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: To look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world" -James 1: Jan 12, Stephanie rated it it was amazing Shelves: I enjoyed the education I recieved from Johnny Carr.
I didn't know much about adoption, foster care, or orphans in the world. I appreciated his information on the topics but also his perspective on how Christians can play a role in the many facets of orphan care.
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Mar 23, Sandy rated it it was amazing. Compelling for those interested in getting into orphan care. Great material to use for current orphan care leaders as well. Jun 19, Angie M rated it really liked it Shelves: May 26, Mike Rusch rated it it was amazing. It's a must read for any child advocate or adoptive family.
Mar 04, Sherri Ausbun rated it it was amazing. Johnny Carr writes a compelling, Scripturally sound account of why caring for orphans should be as normal in the life of God's people as things like weekly fellowship or prayer. If you want your church to get excited about the practical possibilities of applying the gospel to suffering children locally and around the world get Orphan Justice in their hands. It will light a fire for mission. The statistics and realities contained within can cause one of three responses, either it can paralyze us to the point of complacency as they overwhelm or it can energize us for a season to do as much as possible with the need becoming our motivation.
Ultimately, however, it is Johnny's heart that the third option would be chosen and that the worldwide church would awaken and be driven to seek the face of the Father as we serve the fatherless. It is so Christ exalting to wrestle with this content and be motivated not by the need but by the Gospel. This book is both compelling and heartfelt and worth your investment of time. Orphan Justice explores the big picture of what orphan care can and should look like. Not all of us are called to the same ministry, but all of us must do something. This book is eye-opening and important, a call to action written with incredible grace.
It's a must-read for the Church and for all people wanting to do 'orphan care' well and responsibly. Katie Davis Author of Kisses from Katie "Many of us have a desire to help orphans but we don't know where to start.
There's a role for everyone to play. Orphan Justice provides the vision we need to understand how we, as leaders, can be a part of the solution to the orphan care crisis. Its a strategic call to the Church to act on behalf of the fatherless. I highly recommend you take time to read it and learn how to be involved. Brad Lomenick show more. He and his wife live with their five children the three youngest are adopted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Laura Captari is a freelance writer and a licensed professional counselor in training. She lives with her husband in Lynchburg, Virginia.