Disability Ministry: Lord Can I Do This?   

Speaker: Brenda Fischer 

I. Requirements for Disability Ministry 

A. A heart for the hurting 

1. Humble Spirit (Ephesians 4:2) 

2. Genuine care for the souls of those affected by disability 

3. How does compassion and love in the church look different from other helping organizations? 

4. Roadblocks 

5. God is able. 

B. Trust that God will provide all that you need. (Philippians 4:19) 

1. Pray for wisdom and direction and for needs to be met. 

2. Take people as God brings them to you. 

3. Don’t get caught up in the enormity of recommendations and challenges. 

C. Earnestly believe and teach that God is sovereign in disability. (Exodus 4:11,12) 

1. Questioning God’s plan 

2. Go back to the Word. (John 9:1-3) 

3. God’s plan may not mean a perfectly ordered classroom.  

4. Children with disabilities are a blessing and indispensible. (I Cor. 12:21-22) 

5. His strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9) 

Disability Resources 

Helpful books for understanding God and suffering 

A Lifetime of Wisdom Embracing the Way God Heals You - Joni Eareckson Tada 

Trusting God (Even When Life Hurts) -Jerry Bridges 

The Invisible Hand of God - RC Sproul 

How Long O Lord - D A Carson 

When God Weeps - Steve Estes, Joni Eareckson Tada 

Disability Ministry practical tools 

Books 

Same Lake Different Boat – Stephanie Hubach  

Special Needs Special Ministry – Jim Pierson, Louise Tucker Jones, Pat Verbal 

Autism and Your Church – Barbara Newman 

Exceptional Teaching – Jim Pierson 

Booklets  

Give them Jesus Evangelizing Children with Special Needs - Pat Verbal* 

All Things Possible Calling Your Church Leadership to Embrace Disability Ministry – Stephanie Hubach* 

Practical Pathways Reaching and Training Volunteers for Ministry with Special Needs Children – Pat Verbal* 

So My House Will Be Full A Guide to including People with Disabilities in the Church – Paul Dicken, Jane Young, Sheena Baird*  

Ministering with the Family Experiencing Disability** 

Basic Disability Training for Christian Education Teachers** 

Including Students with Emotional and Behavior Problems** 

Including Students with Autism**  

Including Students with Learning Disabilities** 

Including Students with Mental Retardation** 

*Available through Joni and Friends  www.joniandfriends.org 

**Available through CCFH Ministries  www.ccfh.org  

© Copyright 2009 Children Desiring God Brenda Fischer 

Disability Ministry Permission to copy for use with audio seminar