I am blessed with an inside track as I watch someone who ministers for and with people who have a disability. My wife, Diane Thurber, is the president of Christian Record Services, a ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America that serves people who are blind and visually impaired. She has become personally involved in many of their members’ lives. Some evenings I hear her speak with members on the phone and learn their stories, some of which simply break my heart. Other stories make me want to get up and cheer for the amazing ways in which they overcome challenges and are actively involved in ministering to others.
Have you ever thought about getting involved in ministering for and with people who have a special need of some type?
I can tell you by watching Diane firsthand, it can be an unbelievably rewarding experience. To hear the gratitude in their voices as they have just returned from a week at a blind camp or having just listened to the latest book or magazine they received from CRS’s library is so heartwarming. Many live quite isolated and lonely lives, and they find community through this ministry and they in turn bless others, including my wife and me.
I am not an expert in this area, but there are a few things I have learned from watching Diane and others interact with those who have a disability. I encourage you to challenge your church to be one that is inclusive-minded toward those who live with a disability, or as some say are
“differently abled.”
Here are a few things to consider if you do want to make this an important part of your church’s journey:
Build awareness and understanding
- Educate the congregation and ministry leaders about disabilities.
- Begin to break down stereotypes and misconceptions.
- Always approach your ministry with empathy and respect for whomever the Lord puts in your path.
- Be a great listener. Take time to truly hear and understand the needs and concerns of people with disabilities and of their families.
Create an inclusive environment
- Make sure your church property and building are physically accessible to all.
- Provide accommodations, where needed or if requested, for someone who is disabled to participate in the services. Be flexible and willing as a church to adapt programs and services to meet diverse needs.
Provide training and support for your church family
- Offer sensitivity training for church volunteers, members or employees.
- Provide resources and information about support networks in the community for those with whom you will minister.
Provide emotional and spiritual support
- Partner with people who are disabled and invite them to join your ministry team in areas of their giftedness. Let them share or dream about how God can use them to serve.
- Involve every member in the local church’s mission regardless of their abilities.
- Invite people with disabilities to share their testimonies of how God blesses their life.
- Open avenues for people who are disabled to reach others within their community for Christ. Be collaborative. Remember, just as you want to minister to them, they also will have a calling to serve as well and are gifted by God, too. Look for ways to minister together to serve your community.
At the end of the day these members, though perhaps differently abled, are just people who are also on their journey to the kingdom. Ministering to and with them requires the same principles as all ministries we are involved in.
If you choose to be intentional about being an inclusive church and plan an outreach to work with people who are disabled in your church and community, just be prepared to be blessed more by them than you will ever bless them. The testimonies of courage and strength you will hear are simply life changing! I hope you will truly consider this opportunity as part of your ministry plans in 2025.
