One of the key areas in which the church needs to be better equipped is ministry for kids with special needs/disabilities. Over 80% of families who have children with special needs /disabilities are unchurched. I believe the main reason is because the church as a whole is not properly equipped.
But that is changing. There are great things happening. I am hearing reports of churches across the country stepping up to minister to these precious children and their families. If you are interested in starting or growing your special needs ministry, then I have exciting news.
Inclusion Fusion is a free, online conference that is being held to equip churches to more effectively serve, welcome, and include families of kids with special needs/disabilities. It will held from November 3-5, 2011. Presentations will be videotaped in advance by experts from all over the United States. Each training module will then be available online, free of charge, at any time from November 3-5. A collection of all presentations will be permanently housed on a related website following the conclusion of the conference.
Chuck Swindoll, Chairman of the Board at Insight for Living, Chancellor at Dallas Theological Seminary, and Senior Pastor at Stonebriar Church in Frisco, Texas will provide the keynote address. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Dr. Swindoll is the proud grandpa of a child with special needs.
Other speakers include Shannon Dingle, Founder of the blog “The Works of God Displayed,” and special needs ministry coordinator at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC Amy Dolan, Founder of Lemon Lime Kids; Connie Hutchinson, Director of Disabilities Ministry at First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, California; Marie Kuch, Founder and Executive Director of Nathaniel’s Hope in Orlando, Florida, and many, many more.
There will be topics of interest for those in professional ministry, as well as for parents of kids with special needs. Topics will include advocating for your child at church, how to set up welcoming ministry environments, how to establish respite care and different models for providing respite, common misconceptions about special needs ministry, and using social media in special needs ministry to name just a few.
You can register for this great, free opportunity at Inclusion Fusion.
Posted by Dale Hudson
