Ministering to Special Needs

DeWayneTN · Postby **DeWayneTN** » May 28th, 2008, 6:01 am

I read this sad article about an autistic boy being "voted out" of class http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,358956,00.html
and, along with the recent news of a church issuing a restraining order against a mentally disabled member, I was curious if/how churches meet the needs of special needs members and families. I used to work with some mentally disabled people (no, not at HQ ) and they loved going to church, but as far as I could tell, there was only one church in town with an active ministry to the mentally disabled.

There was also a recent book that came out about this called A Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality. http://www.amazon.com/Vulnerable-Communion-Theology-Disability-Hospitality/dp/1587431777

I was curious to know if any of you have ministries toward this end and if not, how do you welcome the special needs and their families?

Pastor Bill · Postby **Pastor Bill** » May 28th, 2008, 7:08 am

we have a few members that would fit this, adults who live with caretakers who attend our church. We don't really have a special ministry for them (they only attend on Sunday for regular service) but include them in any way we can. The main thing is to make them feel welcome and a part. We have one man who helps with the offering, it's not a taxing job, but any chance that I can mention it in front of him, and brag on his dedication and service, I do, and he just lights up!

I am not familiar with the article you were talking about with the boy being voted out, but I also know sometimes hard decisions need to be made, if the person is disrupting ministry, or the needs were not something the church was equipped to handle, then that can be the case, but for the most part, just love them like anyone else.

one love · Postby **one love** » May 28th, 2008, 8:21 am

my best friend has a son that is austistic. It is very hard for him and he loves him so much. He works very long hours to make enough money to place him in the right classes and programs that help them to do there best.
He many times wanted to come to church when I was pastor but was afraid to because he felt his son would disrupt the service. I tried many times to figure out a way for this to work and told him to bring him it would be fine and my wife would help, that they could use the sunday school class with the children and try to keep his attention. Yet he was very afraid to have him be a disruption. His son was dedicated in our church when my Grandmother was pastor , before they knew he was autistic. It is very sad I wish we (people/doctors) knew more about this condition and I wish we as churches could help more.

Postby **Shellie** » May 28th, 2008, 8:23 am

We have an autistic child in our church. We just overlook the disruption. It's the well-abled ones that lack discipline that drive me nuts. :wink:

Penny · Postby **Penny** » May 28th, 2008, 8:41 am

I have a freind who has a few special need kids, the church she was going to told her she was welcome, but she could not bring her kids, they mess up the flow of the church.

She is not longer going to that church, and once in a while she will go to a home church.

cndlou · Postby **cndlou** » May 28th, 2008, 10:14 am

My friend's (who you know Dewayne) down's syndrome brother loves to go to church... He sings right along with all the old songs.... He has attended church with me when I was in town and it touches me to hear him sing straight from his heart... They didn't have any "organized" program or class specificly for him...but I think that would be a wonderful addition to any church...

dolfan · Postby **dolfan** » May 28th, 2008, 11:15 am

cndlou wrote:My friend's (who you know Dewayne) down's syndrome brother loves to go to church... He sings right along with all the old songs.... He has attended church with me when I was in town and it touches me to hear him sing straight from his heart... They didn't have any "organized" program or class specificly for him...but I think that would be a wonderful addition to any church...

My first ever "church job" was SS teacher for the half dozen or so severely MR people who were bused in from the local state-run MR facility. Boy, howdy, what a year --- especially for a new believer. Funny, funny things happened, and I was the one with less sense than any of them on a few occasions, I'll tell you that!

doris · Postby **doris** » May 29th, 2008, 2:56 am

Did you guys notice how good looking my baby is (Dewayne), no beard and SKINNY.

Jennifer Smith · Postby **Jennifer Smith** » May 29th, 2008, 3:55 am

doris wrote:Did you guys notice how good looking my baby is (Dewayne), no beard and SKINNY.

I thought he looked a little bit different! Good work, Dewayne!

DeWayneTN · Postby **DeWayneTN** » May 29th, 2008, 3:59 am

Dr. Ron · Postby **Dr. Ron** » May 29th, 2008, 4:09 am

As the grand father of a special needs child, and having a member with 2 autistic grand children, the best and most effective ministry for special needs is to provide a "respite" for the families.

A Baptist church in my son's area of town...Brentwood Baptist...hosts a "respite night" on Thursdays from 6-10 pm. Families with special needs children drop their kids off and have a night free. There is a small reception area with coffee and doughnuts for parents to be able to meet and talk to each other....but mainly this is to bless these families.

Each person who works there is trained in helping and caring for special needs kids.

Consequently, many families are being blessed. We generally think that "ministry" is to and for those kids......but trust me.....the families are the ones who need the ministry.

That is in the works for Cedar Ridge as we speak!

KBevangelist · Postby **KBevangelist** » May 29th, 2008, 4:27 am

Dr. Ron wrote:As the grand father of a special needs child, and having a member with 2 autistic grand children, the best and most effective ministry for special needs is to provide a "respite" for the families.

A Baptist church in my son's area of town...Brentwood Baptist...hosts a "respite night" on Thursdays from 6-10 pm. Families with special needs children drop their kids off and have a night free. There is a small reception area with coffee and doughnuts for parents to be able to meet and talk to each other....but mainly this is to bless these families.

Each person who works there is trained in helping and caring for special needs kids.

Consequently, many families are being blessed. We generally think that "ministry" is to and for those kids......but trust me.....the families are the ones who need the ministry.

That is in the works for Cedar Ridge as we speak!

That is a good idea.

Almost like a mommy day out.

KB

Jude 2