Our annual budgets reflect what we value. This is true whether we are being intentional about budgeting or not. And this is not just about how much money we dedicate to specific things. What we value as leaders, congregations, and ministry organizations is also reflected in our budgeting methodology.
A church that highly values missions, for example, may contribute substantial resources every year—financial and otherwise—to local and worldwide efforts. Evangelical congregations will focus resources on reaching those who are lost. A church budget also reflects how the congregation cares for people with mental health concerns, disabilities, and other special needs.
Churches with a traditional December 31 year-end will soon be finalizing congregational and departmental budgets. As it relates to disability ministry, there are different approaches to including and engaging people with disabilities in our faith communities. Choosing universal design and a person-centered budget planning model point us toward Christ-like ministry and discipleship communities.
Traditionally, churches who are mindful of inclusion needs and opportunities will create one or (at most) two line items related to disability inclusion in the annual budget. There may be a single bucket in the general operating budget allocated for disability-related needs. Often, some provision is sequestered within children’s ministry.
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Well-regarded disability leaders and advocates like Shelly Christensen have given helpful insight on this subject. They are proponents of making provision for some budget allocation within each individual department.
In her book, From Longing to Belonging, Shelly Christensen explains, “There are a number of ways to fund inclusion in your organization.” She encourages organizations to begin by conducting budget audits to identify categories of expenditures and anticipate future needs. By averaging expenses from three budget cycles, appropriate allocations can be identified. Shelly adds, “Long-range planning initiatives should address costlier expenditures needed for the building and grounds so future funding is secured.”
Categories that may require dedicated costs for disability-related needs range from religious education, structural modifications (ramps, automatic doors, lighting, accessible parking, etc.), transportation to worship, youth groups, summer camp and communications devices (large print and Braille Bibles, sign language interpreters, etc.). There may also be staff members who require accommodations for disabilities.
I am not a financial expert and won’t claim any expertise in budget planning, but as a special needs family advocate, I do see distinct advantages to the approach that adds a line item for every department. Shelly Christensen provides a clear and compelling case for this approach:
Because inclusion involves every program and project in your organization, it is essential to proactively incorporate an accommodation line item into each departmental and administrative budget, as well as every project. This is a reliable way to ensure resources are available. By following the process, you are ensuring that inclusion needs are considered each time programming decisions are made.
This line-item budgeting method is as much about function as it is about philosophy and mindset. It helps us develop a person-centered view of inclusion, and keeps us focused on cultivating a community of people who are growing in faith with each other, rather than just holding events, initiating projects and sustaining programs.
Certainly, our financial planning must never overlook the unique needs of the individuals in our communities. Jesus gave such careful attention to each unique individual.
Where our money is, there our heart is, even as churches. Our resources will be used to either build community, or to build things that can become idols. While programs and projects can be good things, our mindsets and strategies are most Christ-like when they are person-centered, not program-centered or project focused.
People grow in faith when they are included and involved. They can only be included and involved when both activities and relationships are accessible to them.
The man with macular degeneration can fully engage because his church provides a large-print version of the weekly bulletin.
The hearing-impaired young adult in a nearby group home (and the staff who cares for him) regularly attends services where there is a deaf interpreter.
The family with a child with autism participates in a small group because the church has provided individualized childcare.
Person-centered ministry meets a person where they are on their faith journey, and then accompanies them to the next step in their relationships with God and others.
When we set aside specific funds for disability programming or special needs ministry, we can inadvertently foster a mindset that keeps some people and activities compartmentalized from the rest of the congregation.
But when the barriers are removed—functionally and in attitude—our friends with disabilities and special needs can be fully engaged in the life, ministry and relationships of our church. And that is where the heart of Jesus wants to take us.
How churches budget the costs of disability and accessibility matters can present an opportunity to build awareness, engage each other in all our beautiful diversity and, ultimately, shape our culture around the heart of Jesus.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
Lisa Jamieson is a caregiver consultant, pastoral counsellor and author of popular books and Bible studies including Finding Glory in the Thorns and Jesus, Let’s Talk. Lisa and her husband, Larry, live in Minnesota with the youngest of their three grown daughters, Carly, who has Angelman Syndrome. Together, the Jamiesons founded Walk Right In Ministries in 2008, a non-profit organization building faith and community with special needs families.
