From its miraculous and powerful beginning in the book of Acts, the church has been a place of radical belonging. God designed it that way, as Christ came to save people from every walk of life, “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9). Just consider this scene from the church’s early days:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42–47)
Now, that’s a church everyone would love to belong to! These early followers of Jesus met in people’s homes and in public places where everyone could be comfortable, know they were provided for, and felt welcomed to contribute to other people’s needs.
That’s how things started. The next question we must ask is, How are things going today?
Removing Barriers
Globally, one in six people lives with a significant disability from the impairments in their lives and the barriers presented by their world.[1] Children with disabilities such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or autism spectrum disorder often face barriers to participation and belonging in today’s churches. Much of this is because of misunderstanding, lack of preparation, or challenges posed by the physical environment.
Removing barriers in our churches to including children with disabilities often requires a cultural change. That will typically mean helping church leadership see children with disabilities as a gift to the church—boys and girls lovingly created by God (see Psalm 139:13–18) and sovereignly placed in their midst. Once pastors and staff begin to understand that biblical truth, the stage is set for volunteers and families to truly welcome all children.
As our church welcomed more and more people living with disability, the congregation became more active in loving children and adults who were different.
Cultivating a Place of Belonging
Kate was a seven-year-old girl who attended the children’s ministry of our small rural church in New York State. She had multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy, seizure disorder, and cortical blindness. She used a wheelchair to move around the room. In order to help Kate and her mother, Ann, feel comfortable, we asked questions about how we could serve their family. Ann helped us know what to do for Kate.
We encouraged the other children in the class to interact by standing next to Kate and singing with her or by sharing her wheelchair tray to color Bible story pictures where she could see them. The children would even rub her arm if she experienced a “thunderstorm in her brain” (seizure) during class. All of these seemingly simple actions were tools the other children and adults in the class could use to help Kate feel that she belonged.
We purchased larger crayons that Kate could grip more easily. We trained one-on-one buddies to facilitate participation with her peers in the class. And we made use of the church’s elevator, which allowed Kate to move from one level to another with ease. Our ministry also added a crate of adaptive tools that would be useful for children with other disabilities.
With our leadership’s permission, several of us also conducted several training sessions for children’s ministry workers using resources from our various areas of expertise.
Finding Belonging
Our church learned to love Kate’s joy as she jubilantly participated in worship, and we missed her presence when she wasn’t able to attend services.
One of the reasons Kate and her family came to our church in the first place is that they didn’t feel welcomed at other churches in the area. We didn’t have a specific disability ministry, but we did have volunteers who were seeking to love others well. Out of this desire, Kate found a place of belonging.
So did Isaac, who had a sensory processing disorder. And John, a man from a local adult care home living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also discovered community in our church. The same is true for many others who were living with the challenges that come from aging.
As our church welcomed more and more people living with disability, the congregation became more active in loving children and adults who were different. It all started with providing helpful, practical tools and modeling positive, welcoming behaviors.
Where Does Your Church Begin?
Making your ministry a place of belonging for every child takes intentionality. We must think creatively about how to include those with needs you may not readily anticipate. Joni and Friends offers practical resources for large or small church contexts, which are included in the Irresistible Church Training Series for Special Needs Ministry. These address topics like
- getting started,
- dealing with behavioral issues,
- creating inclusive worship services,
- engaging church leadership,
- and more!
Your leaders may want a deeper biblical understanding to create a truly effective church with a culture of belonging. The Joni and Friends Beyond Suffering course provides a theological and practical foundation for Christians hoping to minister to and come alongside people of all ages living with disability. Joni and Friends also has a Church Training Pathway. This resource assists churches in establishing a clear and unique plan. A plan for evangelizing, serving, and discipling children and adults living with disability.
Easy steps for implementing safety practices in your children’s ministry.
Easy steps for implementing safety practices in your children’s ministry.
Easy steps for implementing safety practices in your children’s ministry.
What’s Next?
Does your children’s ministry leadership team include people living with disability? The article “Five Ways to Empower People with Disabilities in Your Church” is a helpful resource with tips. We encourage you to propel your church toward full inclusion. Until people with disabilities are serving, there is more work to be done.
Whether or not yours is a large church that can afford a disability ministry with multiple rooms, specialized equipment, adapted curriculum, special education teachers, and paid advertising, God calls you to love each other and serve Him together. Doing that isn’t always simple. But we can’t afford to wait until all the details are worked out. Follow Jesus in loving others by making your church a place of belonging. When you do, your whole congregation will be blessed and Jesus will be glorified.
[1] World Health Organization, Disability, March 7, 2023, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health.
More Ministry Spark Resources for Children with Special Needs
- The Biblical Mandate: Why Special Needs Ministry Matters
- Why a Vibrant Special Needs Ministry Changes a Church
- How to Create a Sensory Room for Students with Special Needs
- How to Be Ready When Parents Don’t Share Their Child’s Special Needs
- Confessions of a Special Needs Coordinator: Why I Need Grace
- The Importance of Framing Your Ministry Around Specialized Needs
- Sensory Toys Perfect for Including ALL Kids in Your Ministry
- 10 Practical Ways to Make Your Kids’ Ministry Disability Friendly
- How Buddies Can Help Strengthen Your Ministry
