--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In churches that care about special needs…" description: "\"“In churches that care about special needs inclusion I have found that the single biggest determinant for a child's success is the strength of the rela..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children_in-churches-that-care-about-special-need_765280.jpg" --- # In churches that care about special needs inclusion I have… ![“In churches that care about special needs inclusion I have found that the single biggest determinant for a child's success is the strength of the relationship between the church and the child's parents. When church leaders and parents are in general agreement regarding a child's abilities and…” quote by Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children_in-churches-that-care-about-special-need_765280.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children_in-churches-that-care-about-special-need_765280.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children_in-churches-that-care-about-special-need_765280.jpg) > ““In churches that care about special needs inclusion I have found that the single biggest determinant for a child's success is the strength of the relationship between the church and the child's parents. When church leaders and parents are in general agreement regarding a child's abilities and needs, problems tend to get solved with greater speed and ingenuity. But when parents view their child's special needs as nonexistent or insignificant, it creates extra work (and stress!) for everyone serving that child. This is the reason that it is sometimes easier for churches to successfully include children with complex needs that are obvious than it is for churches to successfully include high-functioning children whose disabilities are less obvious. When parents dismiss a child's legitimate need for even occasional assistance it makes it really hard for the child and the volunteers serving them to experience success.”” [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Successful inclusion of children with special needs hinges on strong church‑parent relationships; lack of parental acknowledgment creates extra challenges. **In simple terms:** Parent‑church partnership is key for inclusive support. Key Takeaway Build trust between families and faith groups. Themes inclusion partnership communication special needs faith Mood empathetic hopeful Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - church programs - special education - volunteer training Key Concepts collaborative problem‑solving family engagement community support Questions to Reflect On - How can churches better engage parents of high‑functioning children? - What steps foster mutual understanding? A Different Perspective Invisible disabilities can be overlooked, hindering support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Children Disabilities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-disabilities-2358983/) [Children-s-ministry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-s-ministry/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Extra work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extra-work/) [Functioning Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/functioning-children-5926528/) [Inclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inclusion/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Needs Inclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs-inclusion-1826980/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Special needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special-needs/) ## Related quotes > [“When a church proactively prepares for special needs inclusion, we make a more seamless integration of the person with special needs more likely, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/when-a-church-proactively-prepares-for-special-needs-inclusion-we/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“The best way to connect with such a family is to recognize what's unique about their life story. Your support is felt when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/the-best-way-to-connect-with-such-a-family-is-to-recognize-what-s/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“In many cases, special needs ministry is a "business-to-business" ministry. The ministry exists to support other ministries and to help them successfully include the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/in-many-cases-special-needs-ministry-is-a-business-to-business/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/as-church-leaders-our-opinions-on-these-topics-aren-t-necessary-to/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“When parents don't empower a children's ministry team with information to successfully care for their child, everyone loses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/when-parents-don-t-empower-a-children-s-ministry-team-with/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“By simplifying the goals for the child's church experience, the child is more likely to thrive in church,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/by-simplifying-the-goals-for-the-child-s-church-experience-the-child/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“As a result, the success of the ministry volunteers is often every bit as important as the success of the participating kids. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/as-a-result-the-success-of-the-ministry-volunteers-is-often-every-bit/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/on-their-own-the-leader-of-a-church-s-special-needs-ministry-can-t/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/no-one-has-ever-seen-the-wind-we-ve-only-experienced-the-effects-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/keep-in-mind-that-the-current-generation-of-young-parents-desires-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“We as the church do not want to lag behind society today, in terms of welcoming people of different cultures, races, and abilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/we-as-the-church-do-not-want-to-lag-behind-society-today-in-terms-of/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Accessibility means more than adding a ramp between the sidewalk and the front door of a building. It includes the ease in which a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/accessibility-means-more-than-adding-a-ramp-between-the-sidewalk-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/everyone-wins-when-the-burden-mind-set-is-abandoned-and-where-the/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/even-if-the-family-is-wrestling-through-theological-issues-related-to/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/different-people-do-different-things-and-no-one-way-of-plugging-in-or/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) ## More by Amy Fenton Lee > [“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.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/different-people-do-different-things-and-no-one-way-of-plugging-in-or/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/even-if-the-family-is-wrestling-through-theological-issues-related-to/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/everyone-wins-when-the-burden-mind-set-is-abandoned-and-where-the/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Accessibility means more than adding a ramp between the sidewalk and the front door of a building. It includes the ease in which a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/accessibility-means-more-than-adding-a-ramp-between-the-sidewalk-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“We as the church do not want to lag behind society today, in terms of welcoming people of different cultures, races, and abilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/we-as-the-church-do-not-want-to-lag-behind-society-today-in-terms-of/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/keep-in-mind-that-the-current-generation-of-young-parents-desires-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/no-one-has-ever-seen-the-wind-we-ve-only-experienced-the-effects-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/on-their-own-the-leader-of-a-church-s-special-needs-ministry-can-t/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“As a result, the success of the ministry volunteers is often every bit as important as the success of the participating kids. 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When church leaders and parents are in general agreement regarding a child's abilities and needs, problems tend to get solved with greater speed and ingenuity. But when parents view their child's special needs as nonexistent or insignificant, it creates extra work (and stress!) for everyone serving that child. This is the reason that it is sometimes easier for churches to successfully include children with complex needs that are obvious than it is for churches to successfully include high-functioning children whose disabilities are less obvious. 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