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This last weekend, I got to speak to a church about special needs ministry. It was such a valuable time for them and for me, I thought I’d share some key thoughts. Here are 5 reasons why you must minister to families affected by special needs… 1. It’s in the Bible 2 Samuel 9: David and Mephibosheth. David took in his friend Jonathan’s son who had special needs and brought him to eat at the King’s -
Today I had the pleasure of being a guest on one of the most popular Christian shows on the radio: Midday Connection. The host Lori Neff and I talked about my story (and my book Sun Shine Down), and about the specific challenges and joys in the lives of families affected by special needs. We discussed what churches can do to support children with special needs and their parents and siblings, which got me thinking -
World Down Syndrome Day is Saturday, March 21st Did you know that Saturday (3/21) is the 10th Anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day? People all over the world are doing their part: speaking in classes, passing out brochures, posting about it on Facebook, to make sure the word gets out. People with Down syndrome are more like the rest of us than different. My daughter Polly, 8 years old, explains Down syndrome… Polly and I put -
Letting go of self-sabotage on the special needs journey It took Polly, who was born with Down syndrome, a long time to walk. When she was around two and a half years old, her physical therapist loaned us a stander; this wooden contraption that looked like it may have been used for torture at some point in the past, designed to strap kids in while standing upright to build muscle mass, you know, the stuff
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9 Responses
I love this SOOOOO much! Thanks:)
Thanks!
My church is very small and had no special needs ministry but a very understanding congregation and pastor who allows me to trust my instincts when it comes to admitting my daughter with Down syndrome and autism to the sacraments (she spit out the host at her First Communion and he trusted me to say when she was ready to receive again. So I have no complaints.
However I sensed the need to plan a retreat for moms with special needs children here in CT and was enthusiastically supported by my followers on FB. I will be running in in October.
That’s amazing, Leticia! Prayers for your retreat. So cool.
I’ve found churches willing to serve children with disabilities, but once you reach middles school years inclusion of any kind, especially if your children have more severe disabilities, ends and I haven’t found anything until your children reach adulthood.
I get the sentiment of the Jurgen Moltmann quote “Congregations without disabled members are – to put it bluntly – disabled congregations.” – However the implication is something is “wrong” with the church which therefore means something is “wrong” with those who are disabled.
Lastly, those of us who are actively parenting children with special needs really need someone else to take up the ministry part. We’re exhausted from advocating in the schools and greater community and need to be able to rest from that role at church.
Serial Adopter, such great points, all three. I’ve heard that it gets harder as kids get older. And interesting thought regarding the Maltmann quote. I didn’t read it like that until you said something. Really good point. And the third point, don’t I know it. I’m tired :).
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here and helping to educate me.
While I appreciate your “5 reasons” none of them give any indication of what the special needs person (child, youth, or adult) has to offer to the church body. My 20 year old non-verbal daughter with autism has taught me more about a pure heart and what it means to love someone unconditionally, than any church leader. And you have not seen what worship can be until you have seen her dance to praise music! When I see her special needs friends at Young Life Capernaum, soccer, baseball, and track, who love and care for one another so honestly, I see God’s truth. They all have so much to give, but all people see is what special people need.
We stopped going to church because she (and I) became more & more invisible there. While her sister was included in everything, she was regularly forgotten and left out in blatent, painful ways. People (including youth leaders) walked by us and around us, because of their discomfort that she could not dialogue with them. They somehow could not see her as God’s creation with gifts other than talking. I do not believe that God makes mistakes – she is exactly who He made her to be.
I know a young man in his mid 20’s who has special needs — he runs so fast they call him “Flash”. We found out he also has another talent – an amazing voice! He sang an incredible National Anthem — a cappella — at a Special Olympics track meet. When I talked with him today, he said he has never sang publicly before. We are missing out on the gifts that people with special needs have to offer.
Hi, Gillian! Thanks for a great, much needed article. From my point of view, there could be a 6th reason: Matthew 25: 31 to 46. Blessings!
we attended a church where we had help getting my three disabled daughters to church and they were accepted fully. Then we had to move. At the first church we tried we were told to sit in the crying room where the girls could not see the service and parents were visiting, etc. Then we attended another church and at first the minister had us sit up front. Then one Sunday they were making a promotional video and we were told ti sit in a very congested high traffic area and my one daughter kept getting her legs bumped during service as people kept going in and out. She couldn’t see the service either. People told me the girls were not being healed because I didn’t believe enough. I took the girls out to the lobby where the service was streamed on a flst screen buy people wrwr visiting loudly and my daughter became upset. We have not been back.