Part 1 of this two-part article from guest blogger Joscelyn Ramos Campbell was published on this blog December 8, 2020.
As ministry leaders and church volunteers, how can we navigate and apply empathy towards others in ministry? Empathy is our ability to put ourselves in the shoes of others and to understand what another person is experiencing. A person with empathy demonstrates an adequate understanding of the complexity of what can be important to diverse others. Often a person with diversity empathy can interpret experiences or perspectives from their own and more than one view. This person can act supportive and recognize the feelings of a person with a different perspective and diverse assumptions, values, and beliefs.
Cognitive Empathy: Understanding the perspectives or thoughts of another.
Emotional Empathy: Feeling and sharing the experience of another.
Compassionate Empathy: Understanding and being moved to act. This can be grand gestures or even just listening. Compassionate empathy can improve communications, interpersonal relationships and even happiness.
The following are 5 ways to incorporate empathy and cultural competency to diverse families within the church:
1 - Set the Multicultural Example
a. Self-Assessment (Self-Awareness) - Are we operating with a love of Christ for others or are we sometimes operating out of fear? Do we have preconceived (or unconscious) discriminatory biases? Do we view situations solely on our own self-perception? Our attitude as a pastor, teacher, or parent makes all the difference at changing attitudes towards others.
b. Be Intentional - Create an atmosphere of trust, and be culturally sensitive. Avoid blunt questions about differences and be vigilant about preconceptions and making inferences. Churches must help create diversity through intentionality, i.e., hiring a diverse staff that reflects the needs of the community. Churches can also create diversity within the corporate worship environment and by providing small group environments where diversity intersects with real life.
If left on our own, the majority of people will navigate to the comfort of homogeneity. If you want diversity, you must be intentional. When we draw closer to each other in conversation and life, we can learn to embrace each other—cultures, questions, complexities, and all. The church becomes more culturally diverse and freed to work at restoring, reconciling, and healing communities.
c. Communicate for Connection - No matter what primary language is spoken at home, parents and caregivers of special needs children need connection and understanding. Simple non-verbal communication like putting your arm around the shoulders of a special needs parent, giving him or her direct eye contact, or grasping their hands can begin steps towards building a meaningful relationship with families.
Photo credit: Denys Barabanov on Unsplash.com.
2 - Know Your Community
a. Learn More About the Community You’re Serving - What are the different cultural values of families in the community? What languages other than English do families in your community speak? What are some of the stigmas that could affect a non-Anglo family from visiting or becoming involved with your church or ministry? Which groups are difficult to reach because of language, geography, cultural perspectives, or religious differences, or have been resistant to ministry or church invitation?
b. Create Opportunities - What school or community events provide an opportunity for connecting with special needs family in your area, including those from traditionally underrepresented groups? How can your ministry or church be represented at these events? How can your ministry or church create outreach opportunities to local families? Ideas can include family-friendly events with music and food, sensory-friendly events or outings, respite care, or creating support groups for families of children with developmental disabilities.
3 - Create a Two-Way Dialogue
Ask Questions (Empathic Thinking & Listening) - Ask questions to understand the needs of the families. For example, immigrant families or families with children who have special needs may need additional information about navigating the sometimes complicated school system. Ask the parent(s) or caregiver what they are hoping for: inclusion in a “mainstream” children's church setting with peers who have special needs supported by a trained professional; inclusion in a group for children or adults with special needs; one-on-one environment, or a combination? Let the parent(s) or caregiver know that to provide as positive an experience as possible, certain information about the person with special needs or a disability will be helpful: How would they describe his or her social relationships or family life? What methods of communication do they use? What have been effective learning strategies? Are there any aggressive or challenging behaviors? What are the possible triggers for challenging behaviors? What is helpful for holding his or her attention? Does he or she have any dietary, medical, or environmental issues?
Ask parents and caregivers how they would like to be involved with your church or ministry: what are their talents, gifts, or interests? What are ways they can help serve or contribute; what is their love language? Ask for feedback and listen carefully. Be prepared to change or accommodate in response to feedback, to show families that their perspective matters.
4 - Become a Community Resource
Offer Help - Create a welcome packet for parents and caregivers with local information, that may include the following:
Doctors or dentists in the area who specialize in medical or dental care for special needs children.
Parent-recommended local therapists.
Sensory-friendly businesses or events in the area.
List of enclosed parks in the area.
Collaborate with community-based organizations that serve populations within your community. For example, developing partnerships with organizations that serve Hispanic families can create important alliance. Reach out to social clubs, service agencies, public libraries and parks, civic organizations, foundations, police and fire stations, hospitals, religious organizations, and community service groups. Ask them to provide marketing material or literature to give to families. Connect with local businesses and restaurants about providing a discount or gift card to special needs families that attend or visit your church. Utilize social media as a platform to not only inform about the happenings or events occurring within your church, but also to share community resources that serve cultural, recreational, academic, health, social and other needs of families. Engage with families and community-based programs online.
5 - Incorporate Diversity
a. Language Diversity/Translation - The use of an interpreter or translator is particularly important for reaching a mutual understanding on an array of sensitive topics, i.e. diagnosis, care, health needs, etc. An interpreter works with spoken language, often translating and mediating between two languages in both directions, on the spot, without the aid of a dictionary. Language interpreters often work in schools or state agencies.
A translator deals with written language and excels at clear, accurate expression in written form, usually in one direction and typically, from a source language into their own native tongue. Often, family members or volunteers serve in this role. Language diversity is key in communicating with non-native or English as a second language speakers.
Written material from your church should be available in the language that is most dominant in your local community—English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, etc. Have translation available during most interactions with families to help with inclusivity, i.e., initial registration, when providing childcare, events, support groups, etc. What you do and how you do it speak as loudly as your carefully crafted messages. Where people sit; who talks with whom; how differences are recognized, respected and accommodated; which differences go unrecognized or are treated as unimportant; and even routine methods of conducting childcare, meetings and events can make people feel more or less welcome. For example: single working parents of a special needs child may have different time constraints and childcare needs than two-parent working families. How are these differences addressed when planning a support group or event?
b. Social Awareness, Social Cues and Communication - Make space for everyone to have a turn to share their thoughts and opinions. Listen, be nonjudgmental and keep an open mind on issues that differ your perspective. Speak from your own experience instead of generalizing. Use "I" instead of "they," "we," or "you." Be conscious of negative body language and nonverbal responses.
c. Diversity Equity Teams - Create a parent-led or church-led equity team. The equity team plans and organizes inclusive events and helps ensure that activities are being reviewed through an inclusive lens. Equity initiatives can include: bringing culturally diverse speakers to speak to families that are reflective of their needs; creating a cross-cultural events calendar that highlights important events or dates to the community; translating communications into multiple languages; collecting immigration resources and information; organizing workshops and trainings for staff, parents, and students.
We have the responsibility to preach the gospel to every person. Faith works by love. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and people from other ethnicities and cultures have faith needs and desires like anyone else. They have Spirit-given gifts to offer, and they are individuals who want to worship God and use their gifts to build up the body of Christ. They want to be included in the kingdom of God, so let us all continue to be the bridge to connect, empathize and minister to all families.
Joscelyn Ramos Campbell is an award-winning spokesperson, author, blogger, consultant, columnist, public speaker, respite care director, autism advocate, special needs pastor at Hope International Church in Groveland, Florida. A former federal government public relations spokesperson, she has over 20 years of experience in public relations, communications, marketing, community relations, and ministry. Joscelyn has been featured in many publications and on television networks, including CBS, FOX, NBC, Telemundo, and Univision. Bilingual and bicultural, she is raising a multicultural and multigenerational family, while being an individual with a medical disability. Named one of the best Latina bloggers and one of the top 10 best Latina mom bloggers on the web for her entrepreneurial work with Mami of Multiples and Mami Innovative Media, Joscelyn is a wife and mom of four boys, including an older son, identical twin boys and one son with autism. Residing in Central Florida with her family, connect with Joscelyn on her website at joscelynramoscampbell.com and on social media.
