The class of four year olds marched into “big church” with giggles, wiggles, and flushed faces. Parents strained to find their children as the hesitant young performers began their first, well-rehearsed song. Melissa and I craned our necks left and right searching for our son, Caleb, knowing he would likely be in the back row with his head down. Given his developmental delays and autism, Caleb usually tried to avoid the spotlight. When we couldn’t find him on stage, I anxiously rushed to his classroom to see what was wrong. I found Caleb safe and sound. Relieved, I asked why he was in the classroom while all the other children were performing. The volunteer said that he had been told to stay with him because Caleb didn’t need to participate. The message was clear, even if it was unintended—Caleb doesn’t belong.
Unfortunately, scenarios like this play out every Sunday in churches everywhere. Whether it’s exclusion from an event or from the church overall, families affected by disability are deeply wounded, and many leave the church altogether as a result. Such exclusion is not usually intended to cause harm. Often it’s simply a lack of awareness. But with over one billion people in the world affected by disability, pastors and church leaders must recognize the urgent need for outreach and disability ministry. And churches are uniquely positioned to come alongside these families.
Like all of us, children and adults with disabilities have a great need to belong. A caring friend can be a real lifeline to those who often feel isolated and alone. In Luke 14, Jesus taught the religious leaders of his day that in the Kingdom of God we should embrace and befriend those whom we would not normally associate with in our social settings. In fact, he gave us a new guest list for dinner parties: “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” (Luke 14:13). These are people that society has marginalized or relegated to places of lower social status. Jesus specifically indicates in this passage that one sign of true spiritual maturity is welcoming the marginalized. This outreach is so important to God that he promises eternal rewards for those who embrace people with disabilities in this way (Luke 14:14).
God’s Urgent Call
The Parable of the Great Feast can be referred to as the “Luke 14 Mandate” because it clarifies the church’s responsibilities to all people (Luke 14:15-24). If we have the heart of the Master, we will welcome, embrace, and include people affected by disability. This is not only an issue of salvation but of discipleship, fellowship, and full participation. So how do churches heed this U.R.G.E.N.T. call? Here are six steps to help your church get started: understanding the needs, relating individually, giving opportunity, encouraging others, networking for support, and training for service.
Understanding the Needs
Before you can minister to someone affected by disability, you must understand his or her needs. An inclusive church is an understanding church. It begins with learning the details of each person’s story and accepting that person regardless of his or her physical or intellectual abilities. Remember that God created each person with a unique design. Asking questions and listening to the responses goes a long way. Often, people are afraid to reach out to someone with a disability or to their family members because they are afraid they may say or do the wrong thing. Don’t be afraid—be interested. Ask questions like: Do you mind telling me about yourself or your family? What is your favorite hobby? Is there any way I can assist you today? People enjoy visiting, sharing about themselves, and asking questions in return. This is how any relationship typically begins.
Relating Individually
People with disabilities are not problems to be solved—they are relationships to be embraced. God’s love is expressed through his body—the church. It has been said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” So it is with relationships. Investing one’s time and energy builds trust that leads to fruitful long-term relationships and ministry.
Hugh was an average church member who attended services regularly but did not have an active role in any particular ministry. One day while running errands, Hugh noticed a middle-aged man who had fallen out of his wheelchair near the entrance of a store. The man appeared to be homeless. Don’t get involved, Hugh thought to himself. Yet, the Spirit of God prompted Hugh to assist the man with getting back into his chair. The man was grateful and quickly struck up a conversation, introducing himself as Don. After a short time, Don asked Hugh if he could assist Don in getting back to the place where he was staying. Again, Hugh was hesitant to get involved, but he could not shake the feeling that he was supposed to help Don.
During their drive, Hugh was struck by the depth of their conversation. Although it was apparent that Don had both physical and intellectual disabilities, Hugh began to realize that his passenger also had feelings, emotions, dreams, hopes, and disappointments. That was the first of many conversations and visits Hugh would have with Don. Over time, Hugh even met some of Don’s friends. And eventually, he began to take Don and his friends to church. Before long, an entire ministry to families affected by disability was started at Hugh’s church—all because of one man’s step of faith toward a new relationship.
Giving Opportunity
Jerry Borton, a staff member at Joni and Friends, once said, “Asking people with disabilities to be at church without ever asking them to contribute their skills and gifting is asking someone to be a guest in the house of the Lord forever.” God’s intention is for everyone in the body of Christ to be fully included, giving and receiving from one another. All of his children have been given gifts and abilities and should be expected to use them through service.
In 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, Paul uses the analogy of a body being made up of many different parts. He emphasizes that even though some parts have more visibility and seem more important, those parts that seem least important could actually make the greatest impact. Someone with a disability may not have as much visibility in the church or seem to have a significant role in the body, yet God has gifted them for a unique purpose that should be fully expressed.
Encouraging Others
One of the most powerful means of ministering to families affected by disability is encouragement. In multiple Bible passages, we are exhorted to encourage and build one another up in our faith (Rom 14:19; 15:2; 1 Thes 5:11). At times, families become overwhelmed by life circumstances and need a word of encouragement. Bearing one another’s burdens is a way of fulfilling the law of love given by Christ (Gal 6:2). What might this look like?
A child with autism has had an especially difficult week. Frustration, misunderstandings, and emotional fatigue have left the parents drained and exhausted. Providing some time away for them to regroup can be an incredible encouragement. Letting them know they are doing a fine job and reminding them that God is at work for good (Rom 8:28) can bring a tremendous lift and open doors for ministry.
Teenagers and adults with disabilities often question their usefulness. Dreams of the future fall to the side as therapies replace opportunities. A sense of hopelessness becomes the norm for their lives. Your encouragement can redefine their sense of belonging and their understanding of God’s plan for their lives. A reminder of the promise from Jeremiah 29:11—that God has not forgotten them and has a plan for good—can reignite their hopes and aspirations.
Networking for Support
Support comes in many different forms. The church has a unique role in the community, reconciling humanity to God and people to people. In this role, the church is able to support families affected by disability by connecting them with local resources—first inside the church, and then within the community at large. There are significant resources within the church that can help parents with finances, support groups, counselors, and therapists.
In one local church, a support group was started for parents of children with special needs. In time, a special needs sports program began as an outreach into the community. As a result, networking with local community services provided support to those within the church and allowed ministry to flow back into those community groups.
Training for Service
Churches that welcome families affected by disability need to be churches that are willing to learn—to be trained and to train. To provide better ministry for people affected by disability, a formal disability ministry is often the best approach. As with any ministry within the church, prayerfully seek the blessing of church leadership. After recruiting the leadership and a team of volunteers willing to donate their time, the next step is to prayerfully plan what ministry programs you will offer. Do not try to implement all ministry ideas at first. It’s best to start small and allow God to grow the ministry in his timing.
As your church provides opportunities for volunteers to grow in their understanding of disabilities, remember that professionals who work regularly with people affected by disability can be an excellent resource. Awareness is the key to recruiting volunteers. Celebrate the launch of the disability ministry by including the entire church. Provide information to members during services and through Sunday school or small groups. Information could include brochures on disability etiquette, details on the ministry programs, and most importantly, an appropriate biblical explanation of the need for having a disability ministry.
In the years since Caleb missed his musical performance, God has changed me from an anxious father to an advocate for those with disabilities. Our family helped launch a disability ministry in our church that has grown into a respected model for other churches. It has also opened the heart and mind of our pastor, Dr. Scott Daniels, who has seen the value of this ministry:
We have become a better people because of our disability ministry. We’re living, laughing, and struggling together to become the body of Christ. Without those challenges, our church would be just a group of people with similar interests. Many families who manage disabilities on a daily basis are limited in the places they can go within the community to find connection due to the challenges they face. As our church truly becomes a genuine community, we’re capable of sharing encouragement and healing with one another.
Caleb is now in his teen years. Although he has never formed a sentence and his understanding is limited, God has used him to minister to many families affected by disability. If God can use our son, he can surely use you to help your church become a welcoming place for all of his children. All you have to do is accept God’s urgent call and step out in faith. You’ll be amazed at the results.
For additional suggestions about how to help start a disability ministry at your church, please visit the Joni and Friends’ Church Relations Department: http://www.joniandfriends.org/church-relations.