ArticleBlog | Inclusive Church a special needs journey
Inclusive Church a special needs journey
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 31.03.24
Our local church in Milton Keynes has undergone a transformative journey. It began with a heart to create a dedicated team to support children who have additional needs.
My heart ached as I heard stories of parents’ negative experiences of church; being asked to leave or having to take turns to come. I knew we could make a difference so these families could experience being part of a community of believers.
Scripture tells us Jesus called parents and children to come to him, saying: ‘Never hinder a child from coming to me but let them all come, for God’s kingdom belongs to them as much as it does to anyone else’ (Luke 18:16, The Passion Translation). Jesus emphasised the importance of accepting children, suggesting an inclusive attitude within a community, underscoring that whatever we do for the least – the vulnerable – we do for him (Matthew 25:40).
So, we committed to supporting children in accessing our church and made necessary adjustments, such as pairing a dedicated volunteer throughout a session in Kids Church. But the journey had only just begun – more families were joining the church, drawn by our reputation for support.
A Sunday home
So, in 2012 we recognised the need to formalise our efforts. This inspired the inception of our Konnect ministry; a beacon of tailored support, which assigns a ‘Konnect’ buddy to work closely with a child on a one to-one basis, forming genuine connections with their entire family. From the beginning, our intention was to ensure families feel secure in knowing their child has a place to belong during our Sunday services. This thoughtful support system empowers families to join in our services and grow in their spiritual journey within the embrace of a community of believers. Konnect has proven to be a catalyst: shaping our church family in unexpected ways. It goes beyond being a support system, as it forges an inclusive, nurturing space.
