Pathways to Belonging
By Debbie Lillo
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About this ebook
Church leaders with a heart to serve families affected by disability frequently ask, “How do I know the best way to
include each special friend when their needs vary?” This book is a response to that question, offering step-by-step tools for evaluating the needs of friends with disabilities and creating a culture that welcomes these individuals and their families. Within these pages, we discuss creating accessible environments that provide access to the Gospel while being sensitive to learning styles and physical needs. The Irresistible Church movement seeks to build relationships rather than programs. By creating inclusive environments churches help individuals affected by disability discover and practice the gifts God has given them while fostering a culture of authentic relationships.
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Book preview
Pathways to Belonging - Debbie Lillo
Creating INCLUSIVE
MINISTRY ENVIRONMENTS
for All Ages
by Debbie Lillo
THE IRRESISTIBLE CHURCH SERIES
Copyright © 2016 Joni and Friends
Pathways to Belonging
ISBN 978-1-946237-00-2
Author—Debbie Lillo
Contributing Authors—Kate Brueck
Collaborators—Holly Carter, Shauna Amick
Contributing Editors—Ali Howard and Mike Dobes
Editor in Chief—Marc Stein
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Produced by The Denzel Agency (www.denzel.org)
Cover and Interior Design: Rob Williams
For information or to order additional print copies of this and other resources contact:
Joni and Friends International Disability Center
P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, California 91376-3333
Email: churchrelations@joniandfriends.org
Phone: 818-707-5664
Kindle version available at www.irresistiblechurch.org
Digital book(s) (epub and mobi) produced by Booknook.biz.
CONTENTS
Introduction: To Fully Belong
Part I: What Does It Mean to Fully Belong?
Part II: Determining Which Environments Will Maximize Ministry
Part III: Maximizing Relationships
Part IV: Creating Hybrid and Self-Contained Ministries
Part V: Special Considerations for Ministering to Various Age Groups
Conclusion: Finding Joy in the Inclusion Process
Becoming Irresistible
Introduction: To Fully Belong
Allow me to introduce you to a wonderful young man named Sam. ¹ Sam is a kind 9-year-old boy with limited language. He is very large for his age and a challenge to re-direct. He has sensory issues but loves to engage in corporate worship. Even with one-on-one support from an assigned buddy, the children’s ministry classrooms are overwhelming for Sam and he is unable to engage in the small-group setting. His mother continually worried that he would wander from the Sunday school room, so she kept him with her in the main service. To better support Sam and his mom, their church designed a hybrid program for Sam—allowing him to engage in worship, but providing a room designed especially to help kids like Sam before and after worship. This room helped Sam remain calm and created an environment in which he could learn a Sunday school lesson at his own pace. His mother was thrilled to receive this support; she now enjoys listening to the sermon uninterrupted and having the opportunity to build relationships with those around her.
We desire for our churches to be irresistible—authentic communities built on the hope of Christ that compel people affected by disability to fully belong. Sometimes our best efforts to include our friends who have disabilities fall short, and participation in Sunday morning classes is difficult for some individuals. When that happens for a child, teen, or adult with disabilities we have inadvertently made it