What's it all about?
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Special needs ministry isn't primarily about civil rights or political correctness or pity or awareness or education.
It's about Jesus.
For example, it's Autism Awareness Month. Given that the current estimate is that 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder (source: CDC, among others) - and about 1 in 70 boys - we all need to be aware of what autism is, what it means for families, and ways that we can minister to and with people with autism. There are fantastic posts on ministry- and disability-related sites about those things this month. And there are some coming here in the near future as well.
However, if every church leader learns about autism and if every person in the pew (or, at my current church, chairs) learns about autism, that wouldn't be sufficient. We can become like Bart Ehrman, religious studies professor who teaches New Testament at my alma mater, who knows lots of facts about the Bible and church history but rejects it all as false and identifies himself as an agnostic.
Simply learning about disabilities and special needs isn't enough. Knowledge doesn't change us. Loving people, as Jesus did and does, changes us and others.
If I can convince leaders in my church to remove every mountain that serves as a barrier to ministry to and with people with special needs, that won't be enough. Changes could be made out of duty or obligation or even just a desire to get me to stop bugging them.
The new commandment Christ gives isn't "create programs." It isn't "remove barriers." It's not even "include one another."
Love one another.
And while effective special needs ministry does bring awareness and education, that's not the hallmark of what we do or the end goal. It's about the gospel. It's about love.
It's about Jesus.
It's about Jesus.
For example, it's Autism Awareness Month. Given that the current estimate is that 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder (source: CDC, among others) - and about 1 in 70 boys - we all need to be aware of what autism is, what it means for families, and ways that we can minister to and with people with autism. There are fantastic posts on ministry- and disability-related sites about those things this month. And there are some coming here in the near future as well.
However, if every church leader learns about autism and if every person in the pew (or, at my current church, chairs) learns about autism, that wouldn't be sufficient. We can become like Bart Ehrman, religious studies professor who teaches New Testament at my alma mater, who knows lots of facts about the Bible and church history but rejects it all as false and identifies himself as an agnostic.
Simply learning about disabilities and special needs isn't enough. Knowledge doesn't change us. Loving people, as Jesus did and does, changes us and others.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. {1 Corinthians 13:2, ESV}
If I can convince leaders in my church to remove every mountain that serves as a barrier to ministry to and with people with special needs, that won't be enough. Changes could be made out of duty or obligation or even just a desire to get me to stop bugging them.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. {John 13:34-35}
The new commandment Christ gives isn't "create programs." It isn't "remove barriers." It's not even "include one another."
Love one another.
And while effective special needs ministry does bring awareness and education, that's not the hallmark of what we do or the end goal. It's about the gospel. It's about love.
It's about Jesus.