When God Speaks We Listen

Special Needs MinistryGrace Place Church

Habakkuk 2:2Habakkuk 2:2

Write the revelation down on tablets and have a herald run with it. It speaksof the end. And though it may tarry do not stop. For surely it will come to pass.

SPM Strategic OutlineSPM Strategic Outline

• What is God’s heart towards Special Needs?

• What ministry are we really in?

• How is the ministry today? (As Is)

• Vision (Where we are going)

• Mission (Why)• Core Values (Character)• Assumptions• Objectives (Clarify

Specific)

• Strengthens (Leverage)• Weaknesses (Correct) • Opportunities (Evaluate)• Threats (Protect)• Critical Success Factors

(Top 5)• Strategies (How To)• Action Plans (Who What

When)• Measurements( Metrics)• Financials ($$$)

If wishes were horses beggars would ride..If wishes were horses beggars would ride..Plan your work and work your plan.Plan your work and work your plan.

Special Needs Ministry Special Needs Ministry Planning TeamPlanning Team

• Joe and Margaret Ryan• TJ Anderson• Brian and Diana Tillman• Joan Handley

The best laid plans…The best laid plans…

What is God’s heart towards Special What is God’s heart towards Special Needs?Needs?

Throughout scripture God demonstrates compassion and unconditional love. He has a heart for the needy and it is clearly a priority. Out of all the miracles Christ did during His 3 year ministry, 2/3 were for those with special needs.

What Are Special Needs?What Are Special Needs?

Any Age

Disabilities Include but not limited to:• Physical• Developmental

– Mental– Autistic– Seizures– Cerebral Palsy

What Ministry Are We In?What Ministry Are We In?

• Minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals with special needs and their families including siblings and extended family members

• Support local churches with their special needs ministry

• Come along side our local community to assist and minister to our special needs neighbors

Stay on course?

My heroes have always been cowboys

Ministry As IsMinistry As Is

• In-take forms• 25 volunteers• Respite care once a month• Special needs classroom• Lay leadership in place• Staff position• VBS • Under Children's Ministry• Limited awareness of Special Needs

Vision Vision

Grace Place has a church wide culture where individuals with disabilities are treated as just another member of our church. Special Needs members are exercising their individual gifts and serving the body of Christ and our greater community.

MissionMission

To minister to those with special needs and their families leading them to a deeper relationship with Christ while helping them discover their spiritual gifts.

Objectives – FamiliesObjectives – Families

Provide opportunities for spiritual growth through accessibility to church activities, programs, etc. while meeting physical and emotional needs

Objectives- IndividualsObjectives- Individuals

• Member of the body • Spiritual• Learning/growth • Meet specific needs

of special • needs individuals

within our • church

• Accepted• Loved • Accessibility • Contributing member • Discover spiritual

gifting; • Fulfilling their purpose

AssumptionsAssumptions

• People care• Pastor Clay supports special needs ministry• God is leading and guiding• There are special needs population• There are people that want to help but don’t know how• Resources people, facilities and financial• Volunteer need training• Special needs individuals part of leadership• People will come to know Christ• Growth• Successful• Challenges• Need prayer team• Christ centered ministry• Become independent ministry within church• Other ministries will cooperate

StrengthsStrengths

• Holy Spirit• Individuals • Parents • Volunteers • Pastor Rick • Facility • Experienced mentors

• Finances • Momentum • Educated people• Prayer support • Willingness • Networks

WeaknessesWeaknesses

• Communication to parents, staff, volunteers, individuals, community-at-large

• Facilities: access, clean safety, bathroom• Process: Intake forms, flow etc.• Spiritual: prayer, discipleship• Recruiting, training and retaining volunteers• Integrated into all ministries

Objectives – Grace Place ChurchObjectives – Grace Place Church

• Create prayer team

• Come under covering of full-time pastor

• Be a financial contributor rather than a ministry expense to Lifebridge

OpportunitiesOpportunities• Partner with JAF

• Partner with school district

• New facility

• Partner with local churches

• Financial resources

• Other agencies

THREATSTHREATS

• Government

• Ignorance

• Liability

• Satan

• Losing the fact that this is God’s ministry

Critical FactorsCritical Factors

• God’s blessing• Prayer support group• Education• Leadership support• Devoted volunteers• Structured flexibility • Human & financial resources• Biblically grounded

2007 Goals2007 Goals• Present Special Needs Ministry Plan• Special Needs Awareness Weekend• Funfest special needs emphasis• Expand ministry to at least 5 new families• First family to JAF family retreat• Increase training for volunteers• Broaden ministry beyond children's ministry• Community out reach to churches and government agencies• New location input• Pot luck dinners

StrategyStrategy

• Meet specific needs of special needs individuals within our churchAS-ISChildren under 13/no plan for adultsAccessRoomSHOULD-BEPlan for every individual Facilities: access, clean, safe, sp. needs room, playground,

transportation, medical DiscipleshipFind their place to serveAcceptance/supportVariety of activitiesAdvocate

Action Plan IndividualsAction Plan Individuals

God spoke did we hear him?What are we going to do about it?

Special Needs MinistryLifebridge Church

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

• Open with LA Olympic Story

• Habakkuk 2:2

• Luke 14 a table for all

• Background met with lay leaders, parents, volunteers

• Worked a proven process to discover God’s will and direction for the ministr

• Show plan

At the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back......every one of them. One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story.

If this story were entirely true; what a perfect picture it would be of how the church should act.The facts are that only two of the other nine racers stopped to help the fallen one.I am sure we like to think that we would be one of those who stopped and helped. What are we really doing with those who are falling around us everyday?Are we as the body of Christ going to stop and help those who have fallen?And if not us who will?

Objectives-CommunityObjectives-Community

Local; State; National; International

Awareness/acceptance; Practical support; Partnership with other groups – public schools special Education and involvement, other churches; publicity; funding; donations and resources; missions; parks; government; advocacy groups

FamiliesFamilies

• Assess where the families are spiritually at potluck

• Evaluate survey

• Take appropriate action.

• Communicate with pastoral care

• Everyone in the family has the opportunity to participate.