This post begins a new kid2teen series on Launching Special Needs Ministry. Sarah Burton is joining us, sharing from her experience as the leader of a special needs ministry. Follow along to the series as she unpacks what you should know to start a new ministry!
Did you know 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? And about 15% of children ages 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities?[source: CDC]
With an increasing number of children with special needs, many churches are wondering how they can serve these families.
Starting this new ministry can be daunting. It can lead many groups to come up with reasons why they can’t start right now:
“We don’t have enough resources”
“No one has experience working with children with special needs”
“Our church is too small”
“Another church can do it”
The list goes on and on. Trust me, I’ve been there!
Jesus said,
“But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
The word “don’t” has always stood out to me when I read this verse. So often, we let our excuses and fears hinder us from reaching people to further God’s kingdom.
In our kid2teen Launching Special Needs Ministry series, we will cover:
- Why we are called to serve children with special needs
- Practical steps for starting and maintaining the ministry
- Growing once your going with children (and teens!)
Here’s the best part: it can start with YOU.
Whether you are a volunteer or church staff member, you can help your church take the first step.
As our church was growing the ministry, we realized we needed to think about “why” we were doing what we were doing. Download the PDF Theology of Special Needs Ministry: Why Involve Those With Special Needs Within Our Church to see where our journey took us.
No matter where your church is in the process, we want this series to help your church take your next steps in welcoming and serving families of all abilities. We hope the series will help answer your questions and overcome obstacles standing in the way.
Looking for something specific? Join the conversation in the comments, and we will cover your question in a future post.
