We have loved being a part of our church for the last 12 years. At this time the last of our children with special needs have outgrown the nursery services which worked all right for their various needs. We've approached the church leadership about starting a special needs ministry since three of our boys and Emma (who regularly ends up in the hallway half way through church) won't be appropriate to be in children's church (Aleksa we have never tried it with). Leadership has let us know that they are not going to start any ministry for special needs children.
God has made it clear to us that we need to be a part of a church that all of our children have a future in.
They need, right now, to be a part of an appropriate Sunday morning program, and in an environment that our kids with special needs will have the capacity to grow and learn in alongside their typical peers, and where needed, more individually.
We recognize that every person, every child, has a soul and that our children with special needs' souls need to be fed and ministered to just as much as our "typical" children. All of our children need to know that they are of infinite value and worth within God's Kingdom, and in the Church.
Because of this, we are looking for another church to attend as a family.
Due to the nature of Michael's job at the church, he cannot continue to be employed by them if he doesn't maintain active membership. Because of our strong family convictions and the inability for our family to incorporate further in to the church as a family, Michael will be resigning from his position at the church.
We trust that God has a great plan for our family and look forward to where He has us to be. We appreciate your prayers and petitions to the Throne on our behalf. We also appreciate any "earthly" help you may provide if you'd be interested in being a part of this journey and assisting in bringing any potential IT, marketing/graphic design, and business related jobs to our attention. We are willing to relocate if that's God's plan.
Thank you for your prayers, and we walk forward with Hope and Knowledge of a Loving Savior.
Keep reading... http://cornishadoptionjourney.blogspot.com/2013/05/more-thoughts-on-change.html
we have just left our church (and denomination) to begin attending a church with a SN minisitry. This is a huge issue for our families. The church needs to do much better!
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ReplyDeleteI am in total agreement with you, and it is your first priority to provide for the needs of your family. God will provide a job for Michael, and a wonderful church that has a special needs ministry for children. What an opportunity for a church to embark upon, and I am sorry that our church leadership is not interested in such a wonderful endeavor. It is a great need that is seldom addressed. I believe God is going to use your family as the catalyst for helping churches see the need for this type of ministry. I am concerned about the way children are often overlooked in church, especially because they are the future generation of the church. If we do not focus on reaching them and providing for their needs, then we have missed the boat. If we hear of any jobs I will certainly let you know right away. <3 <3 Lillie
ReplyDeletePraise God for your strong faith! God has a plan and will steer you and your family where He wants you! I am excited for you. I know that there is a lot of stress in changing churches and jobs. We recently changed churches after 20+ years and God led us to a wonderful new church where we have been blessed. I know He will do the same for you all. I will pray specifically for a job for Mike and peace for you all as you wait on Him!
ReplyDeletePraise God for your strong faith! God has a plan and will steer you and your family where He wants you! I am excited for you. I know that there is a lot of stress in changing churches and jobs. We recently changed churches after 20+ years and God led us to a wonderful new church where we have been blessed. I know He will do the same for you all. I will pray specifically for a job for Mike and peace for you all as you wait on Him!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure a lot of people will be sad to have you move. And I am going to try my best to find a church and job that will make you relocate to the beautiful northwest! Like... a block away would be great!
ReplyDeleteWe are going to begin, as a first step, attending FBC Orlando and have already met with their special needs pastor about incorporating our family in the church. It is an hour drive, though, so we will continue to seek out God's will on whether that is a permanent home for our family or if He is otherwise prompting. We have been lovingly welcomed in to FBC Orlando and are grateful that there is something, somewhere, that we can 'land' immediately
ReplyDeleteThat's where I go!!
DeleteThere is also a fantastic church in Windermere Fl that we found when on Sabbatical in Florida for three months. They are smaller than FBC Orlando if you are looking for a slightly more intimate experience. We attended both churches while there so it just depends on your level of comfort. You have my hugs. I am the wife of a pastor and we have two children with special needs. I have not attended church for the last 3 years since our child is no long able to handle the typical Sunday school and despite our plea for help they will not start a disability ministry. Stay strong and God bless.
ReplyDeleteChristy
craftingmom2two@gmail.com
There is also a church in Windermere that we found when in the Orlando area for three months on Sabbatical. They are smaller than FBC Orlando but are wonderful about meeting specific needs. It just depends on your preference but wanted you to know you have options. We tried out both churches before attending Windermere for the time we were there. You have my heart. I am a pastor's wife and have two children with special needs and haven't been to worship in over 2 years because our son's disability has gotten to advanced for typical Sunday School. Despite our pleas for help the church is not willing to develop a special needs ministry. I pray for your family that they get the love and support God has for them. With prayers. craftingmom2two@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteGood for you! As a pastor's wife with 3 little one with SNs I understand. We as a family have gotten to the point we like all our kids to be in church with us and amazingly how little ones can handle it. HOWEVER we are not opposed to a seperate SN ministy and are thinking about having something like that start at our church. We have learned that often churches are so uncomfortable with SNs they act stupid.... One thing about our church, SN is first and foremost as my kids sit on the front row....LOL if that makes others uncomfotable...then our church is probably not right for them! Wish you guys lived in our area......you could start something for our town at our church!!!
ReplyDeletePraying for you guys! God puts things on our hearts when he wants us to move for him. I will pray for clarity and wisdom for you guys, and a church family that can support you as you are now. :)
ReplyDeleteif you want to up and move to Southern Oregon my church has a great SN ministry and we'd welcome you with open arms and hearts.:-)
ReplyDeletepraying for wisdom for you guys
we have a great church with a wonderful SN ministry here in Southern Oregon if you are really looking for an adventure. LOL
ReplyDeletepraying for wisdom for you guys
Praying for you guys. This is something dear to my heart both because of having many friends with kiddos with special needs, but also because that was the role I was filling at my church until my own parting with them because of some health issues that had come up.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a hard issue since it really needs to be 'bought into' from the top down, and if it doesn't, even someone in the role I had can be so powerless to do as much as we'd like. No matter how passionate I was, and my own convictions about the ministry needing to be able to be more than it currently was (though I realize it's better than most places offer!) I hit roadblocks and that greatly limited what I was able to do. I still pray God will change hearts and the ministry will grow and better be able to help families.
Unfortunately most of the churches I know with great special needs ministries aren't in your area (I know mostly west coast places) - the other one, if you're really open to relocating, that might be worth contacting at least is McLean Bible Church outside of DC.
McLean has an incredible ministry, as well as their phenomenal Jill's House respite place for kids with special needs and typical developing siblings to be able to go (so parents can have a real break). I know people that have moved to the area just b/c of the church and their ministry to SN families. They also do a great conference every year, and they might be a good resource for finding out who's got a thriving SN ministry in your area that might meet your needs. But it's also such a big church (with multiple sites) that it might be one to look at job options for your DH at, too.
If you ever came west, I know some great places out here, too.
Praying for you guys. I know how hard leaving a church you've been at for awhile, especially on staff at is...I'm still on that road myself.
Just wanted to lend encouragement and let you know I will be praying for you tonight (for sure), and as I remember ('cause I'm forgetful like that :) ). I think the more that life sort of puts us through the wringer (well, feels that way anyway), the more I realize just how personally, specifically, and individually we are all called to serve Him. I know you guys are doing what He is leading you to do, and even when the circumstance seems a little harsh, He is still in control, moving us forward into a new season. Blessings Cornish Fam. :)
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to voice encouragement. I will be praying for you tonight (for certain) and as I remember ('cause I'm so forgetful!). I know for us, we have realized more and more that He truly does have a plan and a purpose for our lives as believers to play a part in ministering and loving our neighbors in unique, beautiful ways. Really, as unique as each part of His creation is, so are his plans for each part, each person, each family unit, community, culture. Truly beautiful, I think. I know you and Mike are doing what you are called to do as a family together, as parents to each one of your children. And I know you know that even when circumstances feel harsh God is in control as He moves us into a new season.
ReplyDeletePraying for y'all as God leads! We know that HE has great plans for your family!!!
ReplyDeleteTry Calvary Chapel Melbourne. The Melbourne campus has a Special Needs ministry; not sure about the Viera campus.
ReplyDeleteHi Meredith,
ReplyDeleteWow! What a tough journey. It blows my mind that the church willingly says no to helping these precious little ones and without even realizing it marginalize not only these children but the family that surrounds them. But this is what we have been seeing in a lot of churches today. Even in seeking help for my mildly SN oldest son, I came across the same thing. And it breaks my heart for lack of vision and need and ministry! I pray that God will plant for you a well watered Garden and in it His design for ministry and blessing in the days ahead. He is JAH! He is Jehovah! He is who He is and abundantly able to direct you in all that you do! Blessings my dear friend!
you all are in my prayers during this transition.
ReplyDeletei know how difficult this can be with only one child with special needs. We have many friends who attend a big baptist church locally (louisiana)there is a great special needs program. my kids go to vbs and other activities there and i know william is having fun and safe. Their program is what ever the parents wants...full inclusion with typical peers, or they can be pulled when they get overwhelmed or they dont have to be with typical peers at all. of course william is with typical peers b/c thats what he is used to but i know for many that's not the case.