“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.” Luke 14:13-14
Throughout Scripture, Jesus prioritized those society overlooked, such as the sick, the disabled, the outcast. In Luke 14:13-14, He tells us that true hospitality means welcoming those whom others exclude. Yet today, many churches remain inaccessible to disabled, neurodivergent (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.) and special needs individuals.
Many families with special needs children struggle to attend church because the setting is simply inaccessible. The aim here is not to tell anyone how to worship, but to remind the body of Christ that the worship of one should not hinder another. We should all be able to worship God in the beauty of holiness. The disabled community may experience sensory overload due to the crowded spaces and loud music, therefore, participation becomes difficult. While others simply have a meltdown. Can the church consider accommodations for this community such as quiet rooms, disability-friendly seating, ramps and accessible bathrooms? The judgmental attitudes often times received make parents feel unwelcomed and uncomfortable. Yes, judgmental attitudes are everywhere, but these families need a haven, a place they can be with their family members without judgement, a place they can breathe a sigh of relief.
If Jesus were physically present today, where would He be? With the outcasts. With those others ignore. That is the example the Church must follow.
As a special needs’ mom, I have experienced first-hand the challenge of finding a place of worship that accommodates my special needs child. And within my context I found this at a small church without the necessary resources to create true inclusion. What I was particularly thankful for is that inclusion starts in the heart and when it is present there then the judgements are drastically reduced and the environment is warmer and feels more accommodating even in the absence of the required infrastructure. Yes, there are churches that get it right, those that offer sensory-friendly services, disability ministries, and genuine love. It is my prayer that this becomes the norm.
How can we make churches more inclusive for our autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, disabled and special needs members of our community and their families?
- Church Leaders – Implement inclusive worship services with accommodations.
- Members – Support special needs families in your congregation.
- Parents – Advocate for change in your faith communities.
Tag a church leader and encourage them to make faith spaces more inclusive! Let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus.
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