I is for Inclusive

**Originally in 2010 I completed an epic quest to write an A-Z of Children’s ministry, Now because of the epic fail detailed on an earlier blog post I am reposting an updated 2018 version!

I… Igloo, ignoramus, ice age, itinerant…

I is for Inclusive – This year at our annual Hillsong Conference, we made our most concerted effort to include children with special needs. It held, and still holds many challenges but I believe that God has called the Church to lead the way in making sure the most vulnerable people in our communities have a place, and in many cases that is children with neurological and physical disabilities.

Don’t put it in the too hard basket, don’t relegate it as someone else’s job. Prayerfully consider just what you need to be doing in this important area.

I am not a expert by any means, but we have a couple of experts on our team. The best resource I know of is a new blog called The Inclusive Church. It’s written by Amy Fenton Lee… in her words:

I AM NOT A CREDENTIALED PROFESSIONAL FROM THE EDUCATION OR MEDICAL FIELD. I AM NOT THE PARENT OF A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. I AM NOT ON STAFF AT A CHURCH.  I AM A CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEER, THE DAUGHTER OF A CHURCH PASTOR, A WRITER, AND A PASSIONATE CHRISTIAN WHO BELIEVES THAT THE BRIDE OF CHRIST, THE CHURCH, IS STILL THE MOST EFFECTIVE INSTRUMENT FOR DEVELOPING AND DISCIPLING CHRIST FOLLOWERS.

I don’t know Amy personally, but there is a lot of great content developing at the blog, so check it out.

SPECIAL NEEDS ISSUES ARE AFFECTING CHURCHES OF EVERY SIZE. CONGREGATIONS WITH A REGULAR ATTENDANCE OF 80 AND 8,000 ARE BOTH IMPACTED AS CHILDREN WITH NEUROLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES SEEK INCLUSION.

Amen!