Motivated By Scripture

In recent posts we have looked at the motivation for special needs ministry.  We have looked at the motivations of advocating for a cause, perspective, and love.  Each of those motivations can be powerful but their influence will be greater when partnered with Scripture.  At Grace Without Margins we have used the following verses to guide us in our ministry.  

Genesis 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

If we truly look at every individual we meet with the lens that God created them in His image  without exception, we will see them as Christ does.

Exodus 4:11  Who gave man his mouth?  Who makes him deaf or mute?  Who gives him sight or makes him blind?  Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.

This verse is powerful because it shows that God is in control.  He has a plan for both our weaknesses, as well as our strengths.  In addition to that, we do not need to be afraid of serving in special needs ministry because God will equip us and will teach us what to say.

Matthew 25:40  The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

When we serve people that are in the margins of our church, our lives, our society, we are serving Christ.  Christ met people in the margins and extended grace, compassion, friendship and love.

Luke 14:13,14  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed.

When you give a banquet, it is special, well planned and even extravagant.  The poor, those with disabilities, and those in the margins you invite, will be greeted and treated with honor.

Luke 14:21,23  Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame...God out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.

Not only are we called to serve people with disabilities that come through the doors of our church, but we are asked to go out and bring them in.  God's house is not full until they are there!

Is Love Your Motivation?

The "One Another" verses of the New Testament encourage us 59 times, 15 of which are to "love one another" or "love each other."  The one I love the most for special needs ministry is to "Love one another deeply from the heart," I Peter 1:22.

As people come across our path in life, we will make decisions about what the relationship will look like.  At the very least we need to respect them and treat them with kindness.  Some people we will develop an acquaintance that will leave a lasting impression.  With others we will develop a love but may not have the opportunity to cultivate a deeper relationship.  And then there are those that become a part of our heart and we become part of theirs.  We know each other's story.

The people that have caused me to slow down and pay attention have become some of the biggest loves of my life.  Of course my family fits into that category, but there are others.  When I first met Frances 35 years ago, I had no idea the uniqueness that love would hold.  She was a victim to a stroke and could no longer read or write and even speak.  I had to hear and understand her story.  I had to find new ways to communicate.  I was her companion for a year in college and the journey we walked together left a lasting impression on me.

When we "Love one another deeply from the heart," we have taken the time to know the the challenges and the strengths of an individual.  We know the whole story and love them more for it.  In special needs ministry, love is a beautiful motivator.  The cause, the perspective, and the need are great motivators but when they are partnered with love,  it is not the "ministry" that matters but the people living within it.  The blessing is loving them deeply and from the heart.

What Is Your Motivation? Is It the NEED?

What is my motivation for being involved in special needs ministry?  I have always had a cause to advocate for in my life. My perspective on people has evolved over the last 40 years as has my understanding of our strengths and weaknesses.  My understanding of the need for special needs ministry, however, has become vital.  And once God reveals a need to you, it is troubling to ignore.

Statistics certainly leave an impression.  About 56.7 million people — 19 percent of the population — had a disability in 2010, according to a broad definition of disability, with more than half of them reporting the disability was severe, according to a comprehensive report on this population released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. More impactful than the statistics, however, is the great number of families and individuals that feel isolated in the public schools, the grocery stores, churches, playgrounds, and society as a whole.  If we only knew their story, we would probably have greater compassion for their hardships and greater love for their children.

Over 14 years as a director, I met numerous families that had been turned away from multiple churches.  They were asked not to return because there wasn't a place for their child.  Sometimes people just feel ill-equipped and don't want anyone to be hurt so they don't take on the "responsibility" of serving the child with a disability.  Their concerns are understandable, but their willingness to walk away isn't.  We are called to serve those that come through the doors of our church, regardless of their abilities.

As a special needs ministry trainer and educator for the past 8 years, I have been shocked by the number of churches that say they are not called to disability ministry.  According to statistics presented by A Council For Disability Awareness, Just over 1 in 4 of today's 20 year-olds will become disabled before they retire.  The need is there.  We just need to understand the responsibility and the blessing.

If you have a special needs ministry in your church with volunteers, a staff person, budget money, a classroom, structure, that is great.  If you have a great representation of people with varying abilities that are welcome, assimilated, and serving in the body without a structure, that may even be better.  They are essential to the body of Christ and should blend into the very fabric of the church.  If you do not see anyone with a visible disability, there is a great need to be met.  There are even more people in your community that have a disability that is unseen, but just as real, waiting to be welcomed.