Bible Study Event Evangelism Holidays Missions Prayer Community Outreach Family Ministry Leadership Development Organizational Helps Publicity Devotionals Finances Local Ministry Personal Development Spiritual Development

Reader Poll

What resources do you need most as you lead Women’s Ministries Unlimited! in your church? Leadership training Bible studies Ideas for meetings Outreach ideas Ideas for ministering to a diversity of women View Results

 

Local Ministry

Ministering to Those with Special Needs

Like all God's children, anyone with special needs is an heir to all the spiritual blessings He promises. The challenge to believers is straightforward—how can we open the door to these blessings for those who cannot, on their own, walk through it? Here are some truths I discovered while learning to meet this challenge.

Truth 1—Focus on ministering to the spirit

When we minister to the spirit we are touching the eternal part of a person. An impaired body will eventually be gone, but the spirit is forever. When we understand the importance of ministering to the spirit, we are seeing things as God sees them. Regardless of physical or mental impairment, the spirit is whole.

Truth 2—Ministry permeates the surface and touches the soul

This takes place in those with special needs the same way it does in the unimpaired. Consider the way your spirit is influenced by love, prayer, music, worship, and touch. They each stir the soul in unseen ways yet are powerful and deeply effective.

Truth 3—The presence of God matters most

Helping someone experience the presence of God is of great spiritual value. In His presence there is fullness of joy, healing, love, acceptance, and all that is good. Lives are changed in the presence of the Almighty God.

Let the Spirit of God in you bear witness. Your very presence can be an avenue through which others will come to know and experience God.

Truth 4—Everyone is capable of participating in worship

When my daughter Dana was six her Sunday school classmates were assigned parts for a Christmas program. They had to memorize the letters spelling "Merry Christmas." This was beyond Dana's capabilities. I prayed, "Lord, I know You love Dana and she loves You, and she loves church. Surely there is a part for her. Please help me know what she can do." Days before the program Dana gave an impromptu performance that brought the answer.

The night of the performance, after the last child said her part, I carried Dana to center stage. Kneeling beside her I announced, "In celebration of Jesus' birth Dana will now ring the Christmas bell." She took the bell from my hand and filled the church with the tinkling sounds of praise. The anointing was palpable. The congregation erupted in applause and there were few dry eyes in the place.

The little song "The B-I-B-L-E" from my childhood still rings true. The Bible is the source for wisdom, instruction, and guidance in every situation. Let it light your way as you seek to embrace God's special treasures.

Reprinted from The Helping Hand, November/December 1999.
Adapted with permission.

MARCIA MILES RAMSEY