“Parents feel a greater connection to their faith community when they observe visible ways the church makes accommodations for their child. Anticipating the individual needs of the child speaks volumes to the still-fragile family. And in cases where the parents do approach the church staff with requests or concerns, a warm response is crucial. While not every request can be… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share
“The self-contained special needs environment may be the one and only venue that facilitates the spiritual growth for some students because it's… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“A Jesus-focused ministry gives greater weight to connection over correction, recognizing that change and spiritual growth occur in the context of meaningful… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“Different people do different things. And no one-way of plugging in or serving in the church is more beneficial or valuable than the other. The same thing is true for our students with special needs. And it's our church's responsibility, in partnership with parents, to clear the path so that God can pursue our teens through the abilities and passions… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share
“Even if the family is wrestling through theological issues related to their child's diagnosis, it is less important that the church leader be prepared to provide answers right now, than it is they enter into the pain with the family. Instead of searching for the right theological solutions in the moment, ask for God's guidance on what to say and… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share
“Everyone wins when the "burden" mind-set is abandoned and where the special needs ministry sees itself as a blessing to those who choose to… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“Accessibility means more than adding a ramp between the sidewalk and the front door of a building. It includes the ease in which a… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“We as the church do not want to lag behind society today, in terms of welcoming people of different cultures, races, and abilities.” — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“Keep in mind that the current generation of young parents desires and authentic, "we-are-in-this-with-you," type of relationship. Receiving interest from a perceived peer is… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“No one has ever seen the wind. We've only experienced the effects and the results of the wind. And none of us have ever… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“On their own, the leader of a church's special needs ministry can't meet every need of every volunteer or participating family. But that leader… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“As a result, the success of the ministry volunteers is often every bit as important as the success of the participating kids. And the… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“By simplifying the goals for the child's church experience, the child is more likely to thrive in church,” — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“When parents don't empower a children's ministry team with information to successfully care for their child, everyone loses.” — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
“As church leaders, our opinions on these topics aren't necessary to effectively love and support families who have children with disabilities. Encourage ministry team… — Amy Fenton Lee Copy Share Image
