How To Start a Special Needs Ministry: Part 2
As I mentioned in the previous post in this series, God has been nudging me about beginning a special needs ministry at my local church. After all, the new building is completely handicapped accessible, so we will soon have the facilities for such a ministry. Our town is full of families who could benefit from it. All that’s missing is someone to spearhead the efforts, kinda get things going.
I’m Too Busy
That would be me.
The problem is I’m not very comfortable with the idea. In fact, I don’t like it at all. See, I’m a busy woman. I have a new book contract, with lots of research to complete and interviews to do, and a deadline. I have a full schedule of speaking engagements. All this advocating around the country on behalf of parents whose children have special needs takes so much time.
I’m No Expert
But, how can I call myself an advocate for families around the country if I refuse to advocate on behalf of families in my town? The more I think about it, the more hypocritical I feel. It’s painful, the kind of nudge I can’t ignore.
So here’s the deal. Even though, I’m reading up on the subject and have interviewed the coordinator of a stellar special needs ministry at Valley Evangelical Free Church in West Des Moines, Iowa, I’m not sure how to begin. Maybe some of you can help.
Calling All Experts and Wannabees
If you’re a lurker with experience starting a special needs ministry from scratch, your expertise is needed. Please leave a comment or send an email about books, programs, resources, or people who assisted you. Tell us your ministry’s story so we can follow your example.
If you’re a wannabe like me, leave a comment or question about what you want to know about starting a ministry. Maybe someone out there will have an answer.
I’ll Keep You Posted About the Pain
Since I’m asking you to get involved on this subject, I promise to keep you posted about my progress, too. We probably won’t move into our new facility until September, so until then it’s research and waiting expectantly for your ideas. Please, please, please start sharing them. I want to stop feeling like a hypocrite real soon!
Painfully yours,
Jolene
Jolene,
Thank you for being so honest in sharing all the feelings that go into something as important as a special needs ministry. I remember feeling like I was to help start not actually lead Oasis Special Needs Ministry at our home church, Elim Church, in Houston. Like you it was a nudge that was uncomfortable yet impossible to ignore. Thankfully there are a lot of resources and established ministries around my area that were (and still are) of great help to us in our efforts to serve families with people that have special needs. Our biggest local help is JOY Ministry at Graceview Baptist Church out of Tomball, TX. Their Director, Denise Briley, is a wonderful lady that is always ready and willing to help anyone start or enhance their special needs ministry. Their website is http://www.graceview.org/joy_ministry.html Graceview also happens to be the church that hosted the conference my husband and I attended 2 years before the Lord put the call on the heart of Elim Church and my family. Oasis Special Needs Ministry will add your church and this mission field to our prayer list and if there is anything we can do to help plese do not hesitate to ask. I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Deborah
Dear Deborah,
Thank you for sharing the link. I’ll be checking it out soon. I may even call Denise to ask her some questions and interview her for Different Dream Parenting. She sounds like a wonderful person.
Jolene