Children’s Homes Need Support, Understanding
Children’s Homes Need Support, Understanding
by Noble Patterson
Gospel Advocate (1990) pp. 18-20
“Used with permission, Gospel Advocate magazine, Nashville, Tenn.”
Children’s homes in the brotherhood are not of recent origin. In fact, during the entire period of the existence of churches of Christ on this continent, orphanages have been in operation.
The Fanning Orphan School in Tennessee was founded in 1884 by Tolbert Fanning and his wife. The Jennie Clark Orphan Home, of which the lamented G. H. P. Showalter, long-time editor of the Firm Foundation, was the first trustee, opened in 1903 in Luling, Texas.
These early-day efforts as well as every home in operation today are commendable and are effective attempts to follow the biblical teaching to care for children. All who have been associated with the various homes in the past, and all individuals currently involved with child care are motivated by the highest, purest, genuine desire to help boys and girls who cannot help themselves and who through no fault of their own are caught up in some type of disruptive family situation.
We have not been given any specific method in the Bible as to how we can best help homeless and neglected children, but brethren down through time have with limited funds, limited facilities and limited wisdom, done a remarkable job.
Relieving the suffering of a destitute child and giving the child a positive direction in life have always been the ultimate goals of those engaged in child-care services. When we think back through biblical history, numerous instances are recorded relating to the need for child care and the tenderness of heart of those in position to extend a helping hand. The account of Moses is a familiar example.
Different child-care methods and trends have evolved down through the years. Each has usually resulted in more efficient operation of the home and, more importantly, greater benefit to the child. One example would be the gradual change from large group dormitory care to small cottages with six to 10 children in each cottage. This arrangement, with foster house parents overseeing, approaches as nearly as possible a normal home situation for the benefit of the child.
Family disintegration is alarming, divorce is rampant, and the sad thing is that the children caught in those unfortunate situations are the ones who suffer most. These children need the influence of a stable home atmosphere such as is provided in the various homes for children.
The tremendous and psychological problems of children who cannot live with their natural parents require the prayers, sympathy and understanding of Christians. Under the guidance of house parents who genuinely love and care, the children in the homes learn how to discipline themselves and to relate properly to others. Most importantly, they learn to apply the teachings of the Bible to their individual lives. The success of a child is measured by what the child has achieved while in one of the homes. With Christian compassion and concern, the child hopefully can mature normally into a sense of accomplishment and self-worth which would have been impossible in the child’s troubled family.
The proof of the worth of any child-care program is seen in its product. The homes do not claim to be successful with every child who comes into their care. This should not be surprising. After all, we are not always successful with our own children, either! However, we do see an increasing number changing for the better, year after year, as most of the young people become Christians. Their sincerity and their efforts to live right are apparent.
The strength of the children’s homes does not lie in excellent facilities or ideal locations, but in the character and integrity of the men and women who staff the homes. This is their true strength. Most of the homes have a unique blend of highly motivated and talented Christian professionals working as a team to serve children and their families.
Most homes have been able to bring people from diverse work and educational experiences, as well as from different cultural and racial backgrounds, to form strong positive role models for all of the youth. Members of the various staffs believe that their responsibility in serving youth goes beyond making the children accountable for their actions. Children also need to see and experience Christian house parents, counselors and other staff members, setting a proper example for them. This is a top priority for all staff members in all of the homes.
Therefore, it is proper that we give credit where it is due by recognizing the good that is done by those who give of themselves to serve hurting youth. So, we tip our hat to the many house parents, counselors and other staff members for their great sacrifice in serving others.
Today, it is obvious that the homes do not function in the same way they functioned 50 years ago. Because change is constant in our society, and even though there are questions and misconceptions, most understand that change is necessary to meet today’s challenges. And even though we still use the term “orphan” in many instances, it seldom is correct usage as most boys and girls in the homes are not orphans in the truest and strictest sense, but rather are there because they are the product of broken or problem-riddled homes. Therefore, over the years and with the changes in the children’s needs, most orphanages are currently referred to as “children’s homes.” Perhaps the basic difference in the children’s home and the orphanage is the emphasis on family-type living in the children’s home, whereas orphanages usually were set up in barrack-type sleeping halls. Various changes sometimes result in misunderstandings and misconceptions.
Misconceptions about present-day child care result when church members aren’t acquainted with the work being done by various children’s homes. An informed brotherhood will guarantee Christian child care and dispel doubts with information. Some of the misconceptions are worthy of note as a matter of clarification.
The first misconception is that children’s homes are able to operate on the direct support they are receiving from the churches. The truth is that congregational support of children’s homes has drastically declined across the nation in recent years. The homes receive from 20 to 60 percent of their operational needs from churches. One of our largest programs receives less than 20 percent of its operating funds from churches in an area of numerous large congregations.
There no longer seems to be a strong brotherhood spokesman to urge churches to support generously Christian child care as there has been in times past. There are certainly some notable exceptions when it comes to congregational support, but many churches are actually giving less for benevolence in general and especially for support of children’s homes than they did a decade or two ago. Without the support of many individual Christians, most programs would be unable to continue. Gifts from caring friends, whether monthly, special or testamentary, are the very lifeblood of the children’s homes. The second misconception is that present child care is just too expensive to be affordable. While extravagant waste cannot be justified, how can a price tag be put on the worth of a salvaged soul? The critics of Mary considered her gift for Jesus a waste, suggesting that better use could have been made of it. However, our Lord defended her act of love (John 12:1-8). There is no denying that today’s cost for professional staff to serve troubled youth is high. However, would Jesus commend us if we choose not to serve them or even to serve them inadequately when we could have done better?
The third misconception is that the longer we institutionalize a child, the better are our chances of making a positive impact on him. While it is true that some time is needed to help young people adjust to a different environment and to learn to accept accountability for their behavior, long-term placement does not guarantee any better results. The real issue is helping young people understand the root of inappropriate behavior and then assist them in choosing more constructive alternatives.
Most young people have strong emotional ties to their natural families. Most personnel at the various homes find that counseling with the family to reunite the child with then as soon as possible produces the best results for all concerned. Family counseling helps to provide a stable influence on the child, thus avoiding much hurt and confusion. This is much better than any effort to remedy the damage done by a family breakup. While some placements must be long term because of the family situation, some research during recent years has found that over 80 percent of the youth returning home after completing a stay of nine months to two years in a home were doing quite well.
In contrast, a study of 24 former residents whose average stay was more than 10 years at one of our homes in the 1950s and ‘60s revealed that only one is now faithful to the Lord. It is obvious that more important than the length of stay is getting to the cause that required removal from the natural home in the first place. Most homes now offer the service of helping parents learn better skills in dealing with their children. Most of the young people become Christians while in a children’s home, so the staff members make special efforts to encourage their faithfulness when they leave the home.
We are not certain what the future may hold in the lives of these youngsters, but be it known most assuredly that many dedicated people in our children’s homes are working to see that the children get the special loving attention they need and deserve.
Those who doubt the value of those homes should take time to visit one or more of the children’s homes operated by our brethren. What many need to do is see for themselves.
Come and see … little boys and girls with bright eyes and radiant personalities who now have hope because others cared!
Come and see … the transforming effect that tender loving care can have on a youngster who has been abused!
Come and see … children with knowledge and understanding that they are genuinely wanted and are truly loved!
Come and see … children who have been previously neglected, now growing and maturing with healthy bodies and minds!
Come and see … children developing into young men and young ladies as well-adjusted Christians!
Find the children’s home nearest you and see how you can be of help in this vital ministry. As the last decade of the 20th century approaches, we are all seeing rapid changes in our society. The need for quality Christian child care has never been greater. However, the need cannot be met unless we each resolve in our own hearts to meet the challenges before us. We can make a marked difference in many lives.
Noble Patterson served as editor of The Christian Journal for many years. He now assists the Cherokee Children’s Home. His address is 9900 Farmers Branch, Ft. W
Tags: Children's homes, Church of Christ, Gospel Advocate, Noble Patterson, orphans