Disabilities Network
What is Disability Ministries?
Disability Ministries seeks to support and encourage the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life and work of the Church. This ministry begins with a heart of compassion by providing creative solutions for inclusive participation in church programming.
Disabilities Ministries seeks to promote a greater understanding about the life challenges of those with disabilities and turn awareness into a relational ministry of care that mobilizes the church community to support families. This is done through prayer, meals and housework assistance, respite programs, and support groups for parents, caregivers, and siblings.
Disability Ministries can broaden horizons, increase family members’ awareness, enhance family cohesion, and deepen faith in Christ.
How can your church be involved?
Start prayerfully. Start small. The biggest barrier is often not seeing and understanding the need. Devote time to prayer for transformation to take place and follow up with preaching.
Get to know the families in need of support. As we listen to the needs of those with disabilities and their families attentively and prayerfully, we learn the specific direction that God has in mind for the disability ministry in our congregation.
Form a Disability Ministries team. There is a wealth of information available to help you get started. Contact the ECD office for more information.
Be intentionally inclusive in your church community; include children with special needs in Sunday School or offer special worship services for people who have difficulties in participating in the regular service.
Reach out to other churches with experience in disability ministry for support and mutual encouragement so that we can learn from each other’s mistakes and successes.
For more information on the Disabilities Network reach out to Dr. Rev. Cynthia Tam
