Imagine if you will, a new family moves into town and searches for a church home. They are looking for solid, biblical preaching, a goodyouth program, and an exciting children’s ministry, but they are also looking for something more.

This family has a child with special needs and they are hoping to find a church that will minister to their entire family, welcoming their special needs child into the church and recognizing that people with special needs can be a vital part of the church fellowship.

This search may seem unusual, but it is reality for many American families who have a family member with a physical, mental, or developmental disability. According to national statistics, as many as 18 percent of children have some sort of challenge that affects their daily lives. Sadly, most congregations don’t know these numbers and do not offer any ministry to the special needs community.

“When we go anywhere in our community, we see people with special needs,” said Carlton McDaniel, Special
Needs Ministry Specialist for LifeWay.“When we go into our churches, we don’t see people with special needs,” he
related on a LifeWay podcast.

Specialists at LifeWay and here in Texas are working to help churches realize the true mission field that special
needs families represent and are offering multiple resources not only to minister to the special needs family member, but to the whole family as well.

The first challenge to ministry for those with special needs is awareness, according to Ellen Beene, LifeWay Special Needs Ministry editor. “First, recognize there is a need,” said Beene.“What does our church need to do to help them become a part of our church?”

In addition to awareness, SBTC specialist Jim Markle sees several other challenges that must be overcome in order to minister to those with special needs. He believes communication between families and churches is vital.“In most cases the family that includes a special needs individual does not know how to communicate with the church, and the church has no idea how to communicate with them,” said Markle. “The family is not going to be wild about
explaining every aspect of the person’s special needs and the church does not know what to ask. This, of course, creates a barrier that, when left unchecked, blocks assimilation of the entire family to the church.”

Assimilation of the special needs family is another challenge facing churches, according to Markle. “Special needs
families need a church family,” he said.“They need to be a part, feel a part, and fully participate in the life of the church just like any other family.”

A third challenge to special needs ministry is finances. “It costs more money per person than the average ministry,”
said Markle. “It includes the need for extra workers who are trained and prepared to work with those with challenges.
It includes extra equipment and supplies to meet these needs. I believe that in most cases, the families of the disabled pay for most of the ministry, yet we ask this of few other ministries.”

A final challenge to beginning a special needs ministry is volunteers.“Special needs ministry is very labor intensive,” said Markle. “If a handicapped person needs a ‘buddy’ with him at all times while at church, and he wants to participate in Sunday School, church service, discipleship training, Wednesday night activities, fellowships, etc., it is easy to see that it takes a lot of people just for the one person.”

Despite these challenges, special needs resources, curriculum and training are all available for individuals and churches that are willing to get involved in ministry to those with special needs.

“One problem we have is that the church doesn’t have a history of special needs ministry,” said McDaniel. However, LifeWay is trying to change that history by providing a wide array of resources. “LifeWay has curriculum, resources and training to equip leaders in the church to minister to children, youth and adults and their families with special needs,” said McDaniel. “A lot of people don’t realize what we have to offer.”

Among the LifeWay resources is a specialized curriculum for children withspecial needs called “Special Buddies.” This curriculum launched in fall 2007 and is aimed at children in first through sixth grades. In addition, “Access” curriculum is available for youth and adults with special needs.

“We do want our churches to be places where everyone, regardless of ability, is able to learn about Jesus and what he calls all of us to do,” said Beene. In addition to “Special Buddies” and “Access” LifeWay also publishes a quarterly magazine called “Special Education Today” for families and church leaders involved in special needs ministry. Also in 2008, LifeWay is offering a “Special Friends” edition of the Outrigger Island VBS material. This material includes lessons for youth and adults with special needs as well as material for special needs children.
However, LifeWay does more than just provide special needs curriculum.

“We also provide training for church leaders in adaptive teaching, using our resources, and overall understanding of supporting and including family in all of the church ministry programs,” said McDaniel. “We offer training nationally through our LifeWay events, in specific states through Baptist state conventions, associations and through the local church.”

The most intensive special needs training in 2008 will be offered at the LifeWay Sunday School Events at Ridgecrest, North Carolina, July 11-14, 2008 and at Glorieta, New Mexico, July 21-25, 2008.“Mostly teachers come to the training,” said McDaniel. “It is a place of encouragement and renewal for teachers.” He sees special needs workers come together at training events to share resources, to hear stories of what is happening in other ministries and to find answers to their individual questions. “This puts the heart back into it,” said McDaniel.

The “call” to special needs ministry is one that all churches should be open to accepting, according to McDaniel. “Every church should be accepting that is God sends a family their way that is a ministry start. There’s never just one person – there’s a family there.”

For more information on special needs curriculum, resources, and training, visit www.Lifeway.com/specialneeds. Contact Jim Markle at jimmarkle@sbcglobal.net or call 214-521-5101.