Growing health and effectiveness

A blog centered around The Addington Method, leadership, culture, organizational clarity, faith issues, teams, Emotional Intelligence, personal growth, dysfunctional and healthy leaders, boards and governance, church boards, organizational and congregational cultures, staff alignment, intentional results and missions.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Embracing all of God's people

I had a wonderful experience recently. Before I spoke at a church conference the senior pastor came up to me and said, "I don't know if you are aware that we have a ministry to those with mental disabilities in our church. In the first service they usually sit in the front and in the second service in the back. If you hear some strange noises or see people walking around during the service, don't worry, we are all used to it." 

Sure enough there were a few in both services that I had the privilege to interact with after the message and between services. Contrast that with another church that removed an individual from the services because his disability might cause a "distraction."

One cannot imagine Jesus marginalizing anyone! When some protested that the little children were doing just that he pointedly turned His attention to them. The sick, the lame, the demon possessed, the prostitutes, tax collectors and the lepers all found in Him a friend. They are also made in His image and of equal importance to Him and therefor to His family.

I was proud of this congregation that was more concerned for all of God's people than that they had a "perfect" service or one in this case without interruption. I am always encouraged when I find churches who embrace all of God's people rather than the ones who fit our criteria. The irony is that we all have issues in our lives: some of us are just better at hiding them than others. 

All of T.J. Addington's books including his latest, Deep Influence,  are available from the author for the lowest prices and a $2.00 per book discount on orders of ten or more.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

God bless you brother Tim, I always follow your blogs and found in them a blessing to my life.
Greetings from Beirut, FEC Church.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Tim, for sharing how what many might have seen as a "distraction" was experienced by you as a "privilege." The Spirit within us, That sees the true value of each person, can truly transform our very perception of such opportunities. May this mindset of rightly valuing the image of God in all who bear it permeate our fellowships and ministries. If and when the Church becomes radically inclusive of people with disabilities (not just as "special" but as "worthy" and not IN SPITE OF their abilities) I believe that many of the questions about the relevance and attractiveness of the Church for contemporary society will evaporate!