Looking Back, Springing Forward—Pandemic Pace

“How much longer will this last? Can we be done now?”

Taking a long car ride with small children can be tiring. You might have wondered if the trip would be worth it. You may be asking those same questions as the pandemic continues and pandemic fatigue grows real for all of us. As we seek to make our churches and the Gospel accessible to all, how do we move forward in advancing disability ministry when so much is different from how it used to be? Staring in the rear-view mirror may cause us to miss what God has ahead for us. The known and familiar methods seem to have been put on hold, and the longing to go back to how we used to do things is real.

But God.

God calls us to look to him and look forward to what he can do. He is so kind to invite us into ministry with him. He isn’t limited to what we may see as constraints or limitations. He is able to make a way and guide us forward on the journey.  

But God.

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them”

Isaiah 42:9 (ESV)

The Lord has new things he can show us as we minister to, and with, families and individuals with special needs.

If we keep looking back to the former, we may miss what He has for us going forward.

So many methods of ministry are changed now. Many churches remain closed. If they are open, there is limited programming, with unfamiliar restrictions and protocols.

Within our church’s disability ministry, one-on-one buddies on Sunday mornings were an important part of how we cared for families. Friendships and community were forged as volunteers were paired with individuals with special needs to be together for worship and classes. While our church has (as of June) resumed worship services, we have yet to resume our classes or children’s programs. Some of our families with special needs are experiencing high levels of isolation and stress. The interruption of their normal schedules and lack of community is wearing on them in ways typical families have not necessarily experienced.

As a ministry, we can either stall out and wait for a return to normalcy or, with God’s help, we can pivot to a “new normal” and move toward people in new ways that love and support them where they are. Our God is a creative God, and he is certainly willing and able to give us innovative ways to serve as we seek to minister to, and with, some of his most esteemed people.  

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we wondered how we could keep relationships and community going while stuck in our homes. None of our usual methods were going to work!   

But God.

Because we could no longer pair buddies for Sunday mornings, God gave our volunteers the creativity and capacity to love our families and individuals with special needs via handwritten cards, video chats, text messages, phone calls, porch drop-offs, meal-trains, and more.

The stories that came from these emerging friendships showed us God was still actively at work in growing his ministry so that his love would be greatly displayed.

Weekly contact has encouraged vulnerability and a willingness to share needs and prayer requests. Praying for our families with special needs has brought us great joy, and we can see the faithfulness of the Lord through his answers. We have asked children and young adults with special needs to read Scripture at home and have a family member film it. These have been shared on our church’s social media and have encouraged many.

Since we aren’t meeting in person for an onsite respite, we have been able to have a celebration parade for the families to drive to church and pick up supplies for online classes and a pre-recorded Bible time. Volunteers made signs, decorated cars, and cheered for the families as they received their items and drove through the socially distant parade. One family told us their son felt like he finally had a place to belong.  

But God.

What are some ways you can continue to move forward in sharing God’s love with and alongside those with disabilities in your church and community? The possibilities are many!

1. Teach The Elements Of Worship

For our church, things like the Lord’s Prayer and the Doxology and Benediction are important parts of our worship services. We offered online classes to friends with special needs to help them make sense of these elements and make worship more accessible. 

2. Help The Wider Congregation Remember Those With Special Needs.

When most of the church is back together, it might be easy to overlook those who aren’t able to come back just yet. Our church has an individual with special needs read our weekly Scripture. Not only does this remind the congregation that some of our friends may not be present with us for health reasons, but it enables our friends with disabilities to bless the congregation from afar. Many of our young adults with special needs have found other ways to serve at home, such as writing letters or cards to elderly shut–ins. 

3. Provide Respite

While “normal” respite events might be currently impossible, it’s still possible to help give families a break! Doing things like providing meals is a way we can give a special-needs family a little more time in their day. Offering online times of teaching and fellowship can also give parents or caregivers a few moments to catch their breath. We have played ice-breaker games in our classes, such as finding your favorite hat, bringing your pet to the screen, and playing several types of Bingo. Gift cards have been sent in the mail to winners of the game, as well as cards of encouragement. Connecting parents in similar situations can also be a great source of encouragement. Do a drive-by or yard visit for families who are feeling isolated.   

4. Check In With Families.

When we connect with special needs on a regular basis, we can more easily offer prayer and encouragement. This is also a chance to hear about evolving and changing needs, providing more opportunities for a spark of creativity to strike! 

5. Pray Without Ceasing.

This is one thing that’s the same between the “pre-COVID” world and the one we’re in now.  

What if, instead of focusing on the past and how we used to do ministry, or how long this pandemic season may last, we turn our hearts toward the destination and see the new things the Lord will show us?

Let us shift our eyes from longing to return to the former way of life to the new world the Lord is revealing to us.

He is faithful and will strengthen and guide us on the new road. 

Our eyes might be drawn to glance in the rearview mirror, but God has something new planned! Don’t miss what God has ahead for you and your church. God is not fazed by our changing landscape.

Written By—Gigi Sanders

Gigi Sanders grew up in Alton, IL and graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Vanderbilt University. After several years of pediatric nursing, she raised a family of five children with her husband, Carl. Gigi now serves as the Director of Special Needs ministry at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN. She has ministered to both children and adults with special needs and their families for the past 15 years.