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One of the great
challenges congregations face is ministry to the disabled. Joni Erickson Tada has been not only a great inspiration, but
also a great leader in how to minister to physically challenged people. From building wheelchair ramps, to
handicapped bathrooms, to deaf interpreters, there is so much that can be
done to include these folk in worship.
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Home visits for the sick, care for AIDS
patients, and the historic ministry that the Church of Jesus Christ has had
for orphans, the creation of hospitals, are all things Deacons and ministers
of mercy can be involved in.
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Churches often need to ask questions
about things they can’t see. The
unsaved are sometimes not visible in the congregation (due to their absence)
but if we don’t think about them we will fail to reach them. When we look out on our congregations, if
we don’t see the handicapped, then where are they? Why do they not come to church, why do we
not go to them? If they came would
they feel welcome among us?
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The very little step of handicapped
parking spaces can be a big help to those who would come to worship. The use of handicapped vans to collect
people for worship can be helpful.
Often this can be provided by other agencies, if necessary.
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