A special call to serve children
In Luke 18:16, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” People were bringing babies to Jesus for him to touch. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.
“The kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Jesus said in dismissing the disciples’ reprimand.
Jesus’ response 2,000 years ago makes us wonder how our Savior would react to modern-day Christians who fail to welcome — or worse yet, shoo away — children with special needs such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and autism. Heaven forbid that other parents endure the heartbreaking experience of Seth and Claire McElvaney, who have two children with autism and a third with Asperger’s syndrome.
As the McElvaneys recount in this Christian Chronicle story about a North Carolina congregation’s special-needs ministry, their previous church made it clear the children were not welcome.
“I just can’t fathom an experience like what Seth and Claire have had from a church,” said Dennis Conner, body life minister at the Brooks Avenue church in Raleigh, N.C. “And yet we hear that story over and over and over.”
From the Brentwood Oaks church in Austin, Texas, to the Brentwood Hills church in Nashville, Tenn., we praise God for congregations that recognize the biblical imperative to embrace all God’s children and wrap them in Christ’s loving arms, regardless of whether they run into the aisle at an inopportune time or make a noise that disrupts a prayer.
Not every church has the resources or expertise to start a ministry like the one at Brooks Avenue. But every congregation can extend compassion and kindness. Every congregation can commit never to turn away a child because of a handicap or disability.
Praise God for the love that so many Christians demonstrate:
• The Highland church in Memphis, Tenn., has offered a Parents Night Out during which members take care of special-needs children.
• The Goodman Oaks church in Southaven, Miss., hosts a Down syndrome awareness picnic.
• Camp Manatawny in Pennsylvania brings smiles to children with special needs through its “Camp Sonshine.”
• A baby born with Down syndrome and club feet prompted a Washington couple to start a ministry called Little Hands, Big Hearts.
These are just a few examples, and we apologize for the many we have neglected to mention. But a reward is reserved in heaven, we believe, for those who minister to God’s special children.
Churches that launch such programs soon discover that they’re not just ministering to the children — but also to their parents. Like the McElvaneys, many feel isolated and even alienated. Finding Christians who love, accept and care for their children draws these parents into the church family. Special-needs ministry can be a form of evangelism, providing families from outside our fellowship with services they can’t find elsewhere.
Praise God, too, for Christian educators who have taken a lead in bringing attention to this issue.
“Let All the Children Come to Me: A Practical Guide to Including Children with Disabilities in Your Church Ministries” is the name of a booklet published in 2006. It grew out of conversations at Abilene Christian University in Texas by professors MaLesa Breeding, Dana Hood and Jerry Whitworth.
If you get a chance, welcome a child with special needs into your congregation.
If you’re unsure of the best way to serve that child, don’t be afraid to say so. Visit with the child’s parents and let them help you. Buy a copy of the practical guide prepared by the ACU professors. Call a ministry leader at a congregation that has experience in this area and learn from that person’s wisdom.
May Jesus’ words guide our hearts and actions: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.”
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“The kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Jesus said in dismissing the disciples’ reprimand.
Jesus’ response 2,000 years ago makes us wonder how our Savior would react to modern-day Christians who fail to welcome — or worse yet, shoo away — children with special needs such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and autism. Heaven forbid that other parents endure the heartbreaking experience of Seth and Claire McElvaney, who have two children with autism and a third with Asperger’s syndrome.
As the McElvaneys recount in this Christian Chronicle story about a North Carolina congregation’s special-needs ministry, their previous church made it clear the children were not welcome.
“I just can’t fathom an experience like what Seth and Claire have had from a church,” said Dennis Conner, body life minister at the Brooks Avenue church in Raleigh, N.C. “And yet we hear that story over and over and over.”
From the Brentwood Oaks church in Austin, Texas, to the Brentwood Hills church in Nashville, Tenn., we praise God for congregations that recognize the biblical imperative to embrace all God’s children and wrap them in Christ’s loving arms, regardless of whether they run into the aisle at an inopportune time or make a noise that disrupts a prayer.
Not every church has the resources or expertise to start a ministry like the one at Brooks Avenue. But every congregation can extend compassion and kindness. Every congregation can commit never to turn away a child because of a handicap or disability.
Praise God for the love that so many Christians demonstrate:
• The Highland church in Memphis, Tenn., has offered a Parents Night Out during which members take care of special-needs children.
• The Goodman Oaks church in Southaven, Miss., hosts a Down syndrome awareness picnic.
• Camp Manatawny in Pennsylvania brings smiles to children with special needs through its “Camp Sonshine.”
• A baby born with Down syndrome and club feet prompted a Washington couple to start a ministry called Little Hands, Big Hearts.
These are just a few examples, and we apologize for the many we have neglected to mention. But a reward is reserved in heaven, we believe, for those who minister to God’s special children.
Churches that launch such programs soon discover that they’re not just ministering to the children — but also to their parents. Like the McElvaneys, many feel isolated and even alienated. Finding Christians who love, accept and care for their children draws these parents into the church family. Special-needs ministry can be a form of evangelism, providing families from outside our fellowship with services they can’t find elsewhere.
Praise God, too, for Christian educators who have taken a lead in bringing attention to this issue.
“Let All the Children Come to Me: A Practical Guide to Including Children with Disabilities in Your Church Ministries” is the name of a booklet published in 2006. It grew out of conversations at Abilene Christian University in Texas by professors MaLesa Breeding, Dana Hood and Jerry Whitworth.
If you get a chance, welcome a child with special needs into your congregation.
If you’re unsure of the best way to serve that child, don’t be afraid to say so. Visit with the child’s parents and let them help you. Buy a copy of the practical guide prepared by the ACU professors. Call a ministry leader at a congregation that has experience in this area and learn from that person’s wisdom.
May Jesus’ words guide our hearts and actions: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.”
Related Stories:
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READERS RESPOND
The Chronicle welcomes and encourages
feedback that promotes thoughtful and respectful discussion. Letters and comments should be 750 characters or less and may be edited for length or clarity. Comments to the print or online edition are considered to be letters to the editor and may be published.
As the mother of a special needs child, I really appreciated this article. Our daughter, Erin, is 2 years old, yet functions at about the 6-8 month level and is still undiagnosed as to why she is so delayed. My husband and I have been so thankful for the loving support of our congregation. Even though we currently have no specific "special needs ministry," we have never gotten harsh looks when our daughter will make noises during services. I am so thankful to God for our loving church family, and I'm glad there are programs in other places. Perhaps someday God will lead us to start our own ministry for these very special angels.
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Dawn Mathias East Allen County c.o.C. Fort Wayne, IN - USA December 12, 2009 |
I Cor. 12:7 tells us that EVERYONE is gifted by the Holy Spirit. Individuals with disabilities minister to their churches in many ways: laughter, unconditional love, trust, acceptance and joy, to name a few. Special needs programs are nice but not necessary. All that is needed is an attitude of openness to the gifts these brothers and sisters bring us, along with an extended hand and the word "Welcome!" Kathleen Bolduc, author of Autism and Alleluias (Judson Press 2010)www.kathleenbolduc.com
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Kathleen Deyer Bolduc College Hill Presbyterian Church Cincinnati, OH - USA December 2, 2009 |
feedback that promotes thoughtful and respectful discussion. Letters and comments should be 750 characters or less and may be edited for length or clarity. Comments to the print or online edition are considered to be letters to the editor and may be published.
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