There is a huge gap between the number of pastors who want to lead a church, including people with special needs, and the number of churches that actually moved this.
Most pastors (99%) are confident that people with disabilities will be welcomed in the church. However, while many churches report providing financial support, serving family caregivers, and encouraging members to volunteer at events for those with special needs, less than a third of churches actually have classes or events specifically for people with disabilities.
The need for actual inclusion is growing rapidly.
The need for actual inclusion is also growing and is growing rapidly. It is estimated that one in 36 children are autistic today, and a recent study has found that one in six children, between 3 and 17, have been diagnosed with some form of developmental disorder.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to bridge the gap between wanting to promote inclusivity for men, women and children with special needs and actually doing it.
First, it is important to define “inclusion.” It must be more than accommodation.
One thing is to place children and adults with special needs in spaces where their needs are met or explicitly housed. But true inclusion, which should be the goal, means they are part of everything that everyone else does. So the first step in your inclusion effort is to establish a Bible foundation for the work your congregation is undertaking.
Invite the poor, the crippled, the crippled, and the blind.
In Luke 14, Jesus tells his followers in the parable that instead of hosting friends and family at their table, he instead invites the poor, lame, lame, blind. And in John 9, when Jesus heals a blind man, he shows that God’s plan, purpose and power is spreading to all people, regardless of their abilities.
When we take Jesus’ words and actions at face value, we see that he showed great interest in the disabled people and their role in God’s kingdom.
So, programming isn’t the only thing inclusion. It’s not just about dealing with unique physical, emotional or intellectual needs. It is to center God’s Word and show his love for all those in your church ministry.
Changing the church culture in this way can make it feel overwhelming, both mentally and logistically. However, this kind of change begins small. And it often starts from above.
Leaders can cultivate their minds for inclusion.
Many pastors may not have deep experience with people who have special needs in their congregations. However, change begins with motivation to include people with disabilities. Encourage leaders to develop their minds for inclusion.
I didn’t start this job myself until the birth of two sons who had special needs. My wife and I needed to understand how our children were included in the church. The church has developed a comprehensive ministry at the Bay Area Christian Church and has begun developing community sports programs for children with special needs.
As church leadership develops minds for ministry and models, they gradually begin to transform their congregations. They can pursue education, provide programming to congregations, and build relationships between those who need ministry and those who have a heart for service.
They will come to know what they need to feel and be included.
Taking the first step towards actual inclusiveness can start by meeting the felt needs of a man, woman, or child with special needs. Know them. Know what they need to feel full of church life. And make that happen.
This kind of true inclusivity brings you all the form and level of ability to withstand your church wherever it exists. People with disabilities don’t just have their own unique needs. It is important to always remember and recenter that they each have a gift.
The key is to find out what their gift is. Sometimes the gift is simple: warmth, empathy, compassion. Sometimes they have skills and talents like musical talent and vast memory. Maybe they are unique and great friends and confidants.
Find those gifts and lift them up.
But find those gifts and lift them up. Draw the people around them so that their gifts shine too. In our own church, we have developed an incredible bench of therapists, special education teachers, therapists, engineers and even data specialists who are willing and enthusiastically helpful to all who serve those with special needs.
What you might initially appear to blush like a disability is often a deep, lasting ability to elicit the talent and gifts of people nearby.
Do what you can today to move towards inclusiveness.
You do not serve people with special needs in your congregation better. You will draw the best from everyone else in the congregation and raise the vitality of your church fellowship. When this happens, it reflects the heart of Jesus for all, until it spreads beyond the community.
Russ Ewell is the Executive Minister of the Bay Area Christian Church. Minister for over 40 years, Russ’ teachings are rooted in providing hope to those who have been driven out by tradition, pouring in a vision for the public hunger of the 21st century to build a transformative church.
