ADM Day 28

I wanted to give everyone an update about how things are going. In the last 28 days I have contacted a large number of area churches about disability ministry. I have divided them into several categories.

1. The "Yes" churches. These churches have committed to going forward with disability ministry in one form or another. This will be a great blessing to disabled kids that are presently disconnected from the church. A common concern among this group is a concern about resources and budget constraints. These are the churches that have put aside fears and choose to include everyone. Thank you "Yes" churches.

2. The "Deer in the Headlight" churches: These churches make up many of my contacts. I can't get a yes, no, or maybe out of them. They just close their eyes, cover their ears and say la la la la la

3. The "Discouraged" churches: I found one of these. The church rep told me that the church is full of old people and there is no need for family support. She then went on to talk about several young people in the church with disabilities but that they have not been a "problem". I could not break through the defeatist attitude. I left the very nice facility with some sadness and couldn't help thinking it was a nice church at one point but was now just a shadow of it's old self."

The "NO" churches: Their are several of these. One church representative responded to my friendly greeting by saying "no, no, no, we don't have any of those people here". I said that there are disabled people in the area that would love to be invited. She promptly ended the conversation. Another church rep. accused me of trying to make her feel guilty. I assured her that was not the case. I was simply giving her the same info I gave everyone.
          The third "NO" church is the church that threw out a disabled family 4 years ago. I know this because the evicted family was one of the first Two by Two families 4 years ago in my church. This "NO" church also has the distinction of saying no the fastest. They did not have to think about it. It is simply their way.
          The final two "NO" churches are built like theater, entertainment centers. They have paid music and other staff and lots of expensive equipment. I used to work in the theater and I know my sound and lighting equipment. These were concert halls with a cross. The staff in both places did not come across like Christians should. They did remind me of ordinary secular concert hall staff. In each case they had nothing for the disabled and in both cases disability ministry was quickly rejected.

4. It should also be pointed out that if you have a deaf ministry, a respite care ministry, or a group home ministry you are not all done. Several area churches have said to me "we do something for the disabled already". If you do God bless you for it!  That's great. But if you have a blind ministry on Wednesday night how does that help the down syndrome kid that shows up on Sunday morning? Everyone means everyone.

I don't mean to dwell on the negative. I am trying to understand the attitude of the church. The church was on the forefront of the revolutionary war, the abolitionist movement, and the civil rights movement. The church has been a force for positive change. Many churches have been standing up for all of God's children. Many have not. I'm not complaining. I love answering God's call and doing what I'm doing. I just don't understand all the push back.

Throughout the Gospel Jesus spends a great deal of time helping the disabled. He teaches us to protect children and help those in need.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."(Mat 5:7)

I know money is tight and  churches are busy with all sorts of important stuff. There are an estimated 4 million kids in America with special needs and an estimated 95% of them are unchurched. This is also important.

Thank you to the churches moving ahead with disability ministry.

Thank you, once again, to the many friends who take the time to read this. Please sign up for the blog so you can comment. Your feedback will be heartening and encouraging.

In His blessed name,

Andrew