{"id":30760,"date":"2022-09-10T15:03:29","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/laying-the-best-foundation-for-starting-a-special-needs-ministry\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:03:29","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:03:29","slug":"laying-the-best-foundation-for-starting-a-special-needs-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/laying-the-best-foundation-for-starting-a-special-needs-ministry\/","title":{"rendered":"Laying the Best Foundation for Starting a Special Needs Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"
Jon Tyson photo – Unsplash <\/p>\n

Are you ready to make a plan to include all families in your church? Here are three steps to start a special needs ministry.<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Sandra Peoples<\/em><\/p>\n

In Acts 6, the church was growing, but one group was feeling neglected\u2014the Hellenistic widows. The apostles weren\u2019t neglecting them with malicious intent. They were simply so busy with the growth of the church they didn\u2019t notice. When the Hellenistic Jews brought the issue to the apostles’ attention, they appointed men to meet the need. “So the word of God spread [and] the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number\u201d (Acts 6:7, CSB).<\/p>\n

Families impacted by disability often feel like these neglected Hellenistic widows. We want to fully participate in church life, but barriers to our inclusion keep us from doing so. Sadly, some churches have done this on purpose, telling special needs families they aren\u2019t welcome. But like the apostles and the Hellenistic widows, most church leaders are simply unaware of the needs of special needs families.<\/p>\n

Families impacted by disability often feel like these neglected Hellenistic widows. We want to fully participate in church life, but barriers to our inclusion keep us from doing so. \u2014 @SandraPeoples Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

One reason for the neglect is that pastors are unaware of the number of special needs families in their communities and may not fully understand factors that keep them from being able to attend church. According to the last census, 1 in 5 families in the U.S. has a member with a disability. That\u2019s 20% of the population. If you look around your church and don\u2019t see that number reflected, you, like the apostles in Acts, may be ready to make a plan to meet the need now that God has opened your eyes to it.<\/p>\n

Here are three steps to start a special needs ministry in your church and work toward inclusion for all families:<\/p>\n

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1. Form a theology of disability based on Scripture<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Bible has lots to say about disabilities and God\u2019s purpose through them. Consider the following passages:<\/p>\n

Psalm 139\u2014We are all fearfully and wonderfully made.<\/p>\n

Exodus 4:11\u2014God allows disabilities for His purpose.<\/p>\n

John 9\u2014Jesus said disabilities exist “so that God’s works might be displayed\u201d (John 9:3, CSB).<\/p>\n

1 in 5 families in the U.S. has a member with a disability. Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

For many, it just hasn\u2019t occurred to them to form a theology of disability. It hasn\u2019t impacted them personally, so they\u2019ve focused on all the other issues they face and experience. To continue to learn more, pastors can meet with families and ask what God has taught them through their special needs journey. Pastors can reflect on their experiences with people with disabilities and ask God to remind them that every person they meet reflects the Creator and is made with a purpose\u2014to glorify Him.<\/p>\n

2. Understand<\/strong> people with disabilities are a vital part of the body of Christ<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul teaches us the church is made of many parts. Some of those parts are weaker than others but are still worthy of honor. \u201cInstead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable,\u00a0so that there would be no division\u00a0in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other.\u00a0So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it\u201d (1 Corinthians 12:24-26, CSB).<\/p>\n

Truly inclusive churches not only serve people with disabilities but also give them opportunities to serve the church body with their gifts. \u2014 @SandraPeoples Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t to imply people with disabilities are \u201cless than\u201d people without disabilities. But speaking from my experience of having a sister with Down syndrome and a son with level three autism, many have limitations that keep them from doing some things in the church\u2014but not everything.<\/em>\u00a0Truly inclusive churches not only serve people with disabilities but also give them opportunities to serve the church body with their gifts.<\/p>\n

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See also  The Power of the Ordinary Moments<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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3. Pray for people to step up and serve who already have the calling and skills to work with people with disabilities<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As we read in 1 Corinthians 12, a church is made of many parts. I truly believe God has already placed people in our churches who can meet the needs of the church members He calls there. Adults with disabilities should guide and lead the ministry when possible. Others with experience as family members, teachers, or therapists may offer their skills. And those who have a passion for the ministry can be trained to provide support and encouragement.<\/p>\n

Every family deserves to have access to the gospel and a church home. \u2014 @SandraPeoples Click To Tweet <\/p>\n

These three steps\u2014building a theology of disability, realizing the importance of inclusion, and being able to meet needs to support inclusion\u2014will help you lay the proper foundation for a thriving special needs ministry that will bless the families in your church and can bless your entire community. Every family deserves to have access to the gospel and a church home.<\/p>\n

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Sandra Peoples<\/h2>\n

@SandraPeoples<\/p>\n

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Sandra (PhD student at SWBTS) is a special-needs mom and sibling. She and her family live outside of Houston, TX where she serves her church as the Inclusion Coordinator for Special Needs Families. She is also the Special Needs Ministry Consultant for the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention. She\u2019s the author of Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family<\/em>. You can connect with her at sandrapeoples.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n