The Importance of Intentional Disability Ministry

By |Published On: April 29, 2020|Categories: For the Church|

“Intentionality” seems to be a hot-button word in ministry these days. Intentionally making disciples, intentionally planning programs, intentionally choosing songs for worship…

But why is it important to intentionally minister to people with disabilities?

First

The world is filled with hurdles and barriers for people with disabilities. Unless we intentionally recognize these barriers, the fruitfulness of ministry in the lives of those we serve will be limited. And more than that, our churches will miss out on the presence and gifts of people with disabilities.

It’s not just the lives of people with disabilities who are enriched by intentional disability ministry. The whole church benefits from including people of all abilities.

Secondly

We are called to more than caretaking. Jesus himself reminds us that God can and will use those in our ministry to spread the good news of Jesus! A beautiful example is the account in John 9 of the man born blind. Jesus told His disciples, “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him” (John 9:3, NLT).

Jesus is telling us to be intentional in the way we treat those affected by disability because God wants to accomplish His good purposes through their lives.

As ministry leaders, our role in the lives of special needs families is simple: make disciples so they can make disciples of others.

We can’t accomplish this if we don’t value their gifts and abilities and honor their opinions. We’re called to teach them exactly where they are and seek to discover the gifts God has given them. As the saying goes, “It’s better to give than to receive.” When we intentionally minister to people with disabilities, we cannot simply think of it as ministry to people with disabilities, but ministry with people with disabilities.

The church isn’t a public school, hospital, or therapy center. But that doesn’t mean the church can’t learn from what they do.

Take the time to ask families what therapies and techniques they’re using at home and at school. By equipping ourselves with tools that already work outside church, we can dramatically increase the quality of their time at church.

As we take advantage of outside expertise, we can make the gospel more easily accessible by providing an environment and educational supports for successful learning.

When we ask, we not only serve their family better, we also affirm our commitment to know and understand them as individuals who matter in the body of Christ. There’s rarely a one-size-fits-all solution to anything.

Flexibility and a willingness to learn are the building blocks of intentionality.

We’ve been charged by Christ to teach and disciple his sheep; and then to stand in awe of what God has in store for their lives. What a genuine blessing it is to watch His good works unfold right before our very eyes.

Written By—Gina Spivey

Gina Spivey is the Special Needs Pastor at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA.

Special Needs Ministry: 5 Steps to Getting Started outlines a simple process for intentionally ministering to people with disabilities in your community.

A young Joni and Friends voltuneer hugging a young girl with down-syndrome as they both smile at the camera.

Do You Have Questions?

Contact us at [email protected] or call (818) 707-5664. We’re here for you. Your ministry’s success is our highest priority!

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