As I connect with Christian families impacted by disabilities, I’ve heard the same stories repeated over and over again. Stories of hurt and frustration over words spoken and looks given within the walls of our churches. Stories of the desire to be a part of a church family, but seeing hurdles that just seem too big to overcome.
Image from @jontyson on Unsplash
As a church staff member and a former special education teacher, I truly believe that church leaders desire to be welcoming and accommodating to people with disabilities, but they often just lack the awareness, knowledge, and practical tools to ensure that happens. Sometimes it takes those who have been personally impacted by disabilities to be a sounding alarm to our churches and leadership. It is so easy for people to just not see the need if they haven’t walked that journey. If you are looking to start a conversation with your church about accessibility, here are 5 tips!
Talk to the Right Person What area of the church’s ministry would you like to see become more accessible first? (Remember, this is a journey and it doesn’t have to all happen at once) The children’s ministry? Worship services? Small groups? Who in your church is in leadership over that area of ministry? Find out who that person is and reach out.
Schedule a Time to Talk Ask to schedule a time to meet outside of a Sunday morning if possible. Pastors and ministry leaders are often overwhelmed with needs, requests, and making sure the services run smoothly on Sunday mornings. Ask to set up a time to meet during the week, and give them a heads up that you'd love to just share more about your family and talk through some ideas of how your family can partner with the church to make church more accessible for your child and for others.
Share your Struggles and Wins Trust that the leadership and volunteers in your church want to include and integrate your family and others like it into the life of the church. But also realize that they may not know how to do that effectively. Graciously communicate what struggles you have experienced as a family when it comes to church. What's hard for you? What obstacles keep you from being able to fully participate? Reiterate that you do not place blame, but share with a spirit of seeking to be understood and to help be a part of the solution. Make sure you also share any ways that the church has served your family well, pointing out what has been encouraging to you as a parent.
Give Ministry Leaders and Volunteers Tips and Information Do you have some simple, practical ways that the ministry leader could help address the struggles you have shared? Something that is an obvious solution to you may not be as obvious to others. Give them tips and information about how the church can help. Refer them to Key Ministry or other organizations that can help on the journey to be more accessible.
Pray for the Lord to work Seek the Lord and pray for your church and ministry leaders as they process what you have shared. Pray for them to recognize the need and to be moved to action. Pray for your family to continue to be a resource to help the church see the need and be more welcoming to families impacted by disabilities.
If you are looking for an easy way to help ministry leaders and volunteers in your children’s ministry know how to better serve your child with disabilities, use Awe & Wonder’s "About Me" worksheet to give them important and practical information about your child’s strengths, struggles, and their specific disability. It’s a free editable template and you can add lots of helpful information. Bring it with you on Sundays so that volunteers have a chance to learn more about your child and how to help accommodate and include!
Cortney Jenkins is a former special education teacher with a degree in Biblical studies. She now helps churches and families teach the Bible to children and adults with disabilities through creating Awe & Wonder’s Adapted Bible Curriculum. Find her online at:
www.aweandwondercurriculum.com
