why?
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I have a few posts that answer that question in different ways:
- If what you're asking is "What's the biblical basis for this?" then this post might help.
- If what you're asking is "What is special needs ministry anyway?" then this post explaining why it isn't a program is a good place to look. Also, this post might help.
- If what you're asking is "How does this ministry centered in the Gospel?" then you might want to check this post. This one one might be good too. And this one. And this one about God's unwavering faithfulness even when he says no. And this one about imputed righteousness.
- If you're thinking, "Okay, that sounds nice, but what are we missing out on if we don't do it?," read this. And this. And this. And this.
- And if you're looking for all posts from this blog that explain the "whys" of special needs ministry, then scroll down to see a list of those.
Here's the list of post written from the start of this blog through September 2011 about the reasons for special needs ministry:
A symptom of a larger problem (Our problem isn't that we don't welcome people with special needs. That's just a symptom.)
The biblical basis for special needs ministry
What's it all about? (hint: Jesus!)
Are you okay with only sharing the Gospel with 5 out of every 6 kids? Me neither. (One of my favorites!)
Who is welcome at your church? (my first post!)
a kid first (why the person is more important than the disability)
What disability ministry is
What I take for granted at church because my kids don't have disabilities
How pop culture is getting it right more often than we are ... and how they get it wrong too
a post on considering the perspective of others
What if being the church influenced how we live in our communities and not just where we go on Sundays?
a rant on injustice
What we can learn from one man (Michael W. Smith) noticing and encouraging a star-struck teen (me)
An opportunity or an inconvenience?
Image bearers encountering Christ
What if the healing comes? And what if it doesn't?
See the person. See the image of God. See the handiwork. See the righteousness.
Words. They matter.
If we value life, we don't get to choose which lives we value
My series of "But what if..." posts:
- But what if we don't have anyone with special needs at our church?
- But what if I don't know where to start?
- But what if we don't want to add another program to our church?
- But what if we don't have someone with your background at our church?: Part 1 and Part 2
- But what if it just seems too hard and requires too much?
- But what if I think that most kids with __________ are making it up?
- "But what if they can't understand the teaching?" Part 1: Teaching how-to and Part 2: How can they be saved?
- But what if our special needs ministry is different from yours?
- Weak. And yet perfect. {2 Corinthians 12:9-10}
- No partiality {James 2:1-3}
- We love because He first loved us {1 John 4:7-21}
- Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly. {Micah 6:8}
- Whatever you do {Colossians 3:23-24}
- Let us not grow weary of doing good {Galatians 6:9-10}
- Is it not I, the Lord? {Exodus 4:11}
- Living sacrifices {Romans 12:1-2}
- Wonderfully, fearfully knit together {Psalm 139:13-16}
- The precious and hopeful word "but" {Psalm 73:26}
- Different members. One body. {1 Corinthians 12:12-26}
- that the works of God might be displayed {John 9:1-3}
- The same God who empowers them all in everyone {1 Corinthians 12:4-7}
- Worthy Creator of ALL things {Revelation 4:11}
A series of guest posts from people with disabilities and their family members: Fridays from the Families