Welcoming All: The Power of Inclusion in Children's Ministry
Everyone’s journey is different. For the Nixon family, it's a journey marked by the unwavering support and acceptance of their church community. Jamie and Tabitha Nixon have three children, each with their own unique story. However, it's Selah's experience that highlights the profound impact a welcoming children's ministry can have on a family.
Nixon Family
When Selah was five years old, Jamie and Tabitha found themselves searching for a new church. Their previous church could no longer meet Selah's exceptional needs. In their small community, finding a children's ministry that not only accepted but actively ministered to their family proved difficult. Then they found Glad Tidings Church. The church and its children's ministry opened their doors and hearts to Selah. "Without that acceptance," Tabitha explains, "our family would not be able to attend church together. Having a place that so genuinely loves our daughter has been a tremendous blessing.”
Selah's story underscores a critical need within the church: the need for inclusive ministries that embrace children of all abilities.
The Need for Inclusive Ministries:
The statistics paint a clear picture of the challenges faced by families with special needs:
- More than 90% of church-going special needs parents cited the most helpful support to be a “welcoming attitude toward people with disabilities.” (Source: Melinda Jones Ault's doctoral dissertation)
- However, estimates suggest that 80 to 85 percent of churches lack any level of special needs ministry. (Source: The Gospel Coalition)
These statistics highlight a significant gap in ministry and a tremendous opportunity for the church to extend its reach and impact. Too many families feel alienated and struggle to find a church home that will embrace and minister to their entire family. Many churches, consequently, are ill-prepared to meet the needs of these families, leading them to become unchurched or de-churched.
IPHC Kids' Ministry: Walking Alongside Families:
Unfortunately, Selah’s journey is not unique in the church world. Parents of children with exceptional needs often experience isolation and a lack of support. They desperately need to know they aren't alone. They need to know that their children will be genuinely loved and accepted within the church community. They need a community to walk alongside them, offering encouragement and practical support as they nurture their children's faith, regardless of their abilities.
Churches and their children’s ministries, have a unique and vital opportunity to minister to this often-overlooked demographic. We have the opportunity—and the mandate—to minister to "the least of these," recognizing that in serving them, we often encounter the greatest among us.
We invite you to connect with IPHC Kids’ Ministries at iphc.org/discipleship or contact our Director of IPHC Kids’ Ministries. You'll find information and resources about starting an exceptional needs ministry, ministering to families with exceptional needs, and more. At IPHC Kids' Ministry, we believe that the journey of faith matters—for every child.
