Autism, an Opportunity for the Church

Saints and Friends,

A good friend of mine, Donavon, is a tremendously insightful pastor.  He is also the father of an autistic child.  Recently, I was able to speak to him on the topic of “What can a church do to accommodate families who have special needs children?”

I have long been concerned for those with needs we may not understand. Having family that is autistic and after working with an autistic youth who has become an Eagle Scout, I can attest that much more should be done to minister to entire families whom often feel left out, misunderstood, and long for a spiritual connection.  It would be my desire to equip our church, nay, every church at some level, to be prepared to warmly embrace families dealing with autism. 

When we love on these special people we actually open ourselves to a great joy. Part of Christian love is loving those who may not be able to reciprocate.  For this love is love indeed.  Many families of autistic children are taxed of energy and need encouragement.  God is glorified always as we compassionately minister to the least of these.

As a church is called to put love into action, we must strive to be a fountainhead of grace and compassion.  Often we miss opportunities to do so either out of inexperience, lack of knowledge, or a failure to prepare to meet a need.  I have often failed at each of these points.

 Thus, I would like to present to you the advice of my friend.  I have found his words to be a pivotal point for ministering to a forgotten share of our society.

He states;

1.  Give your congregation information on autism.  You would be surprised how many educated adults still believe autism can be "controlled" by firmer discipline or parenting.

2.  Have your Sunday School teachers trained in being prepared for working with special needs children.  Give them a plan of action for helping a child in meltdown mode, which most generally requires an assistant in each class.

3.  Have a "safe-place" where parents can step out of services with a child who is in emotional meltdown.

4.  Reassure families in greetings, print and your own pulpit demeanor that a special-needs child in the service is a blessing, not a distraction.

5. Include a non-stigmatizing way for families to identify themselves as special needs.  A simple added statement on your information cards that asks; "Does your family have any special care needs that we can be aware of and serve?" is a great ask.

6. Identify congregants in your church who have any training educationally and professionally to help create a church action plan for meeting needs.

7.  Host a respite night for special needs families on your church field.  Most parents would love a 3-hour break for a simple dinner and movie, provided they had a safe place to leave their children who were fully and superbly supervised.  Enlist helpers from Boyce as an assist to this ministry.

8.  Have an open forum meeting for special needs families to come, again with some child-care provided where you gift them with something of love and ask them how your church might better accommodate or minister to them.  Tell them you’re not afraid to be known as the "autism church".  90-95% of special needs families are unchurched because of lack of church accommodation to meet their needs.

9.  Do an autism audit of your facilities.  The #1 safety concern for an autistic child is elopement/entrapment.  They will run out of the building, or hide within it in dangerous confined spaces when sensory overwhelmed. Kids die every year from drowning and tight space asphyxiation from these events.  Your building and grounds have to be secure if you are going to be intentional about ministering to the autism community. 

10.  Open your doors for the local autism support group.  If there isn't one, pray to form one.  1 in 68 children  (1 in 42 boys) on your church field are already diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.

11.  Least importantly, read my blog post "Job, Jesus and Autism" @ www.beaconhillbaptist.com for a parent/pastoral perspective. 

Hope this is insightful and helpful;

7 Steps for Putting off the Old Man and Putting on the New Ephesians 4:17-24

Saints and Friends,

Here are the notes from today's sermon.  Please remember, these are rough notes and have not been extensively edited.  An audio copy of the sermon can be obtained by contacting the church offices at 270-828-3454.

7 Steps for Putting off the Old Man and Putting on the New

Ephesians 4:17-24

Our need to change should be evident from even the most casual reading of the Bible.  Even the world acknowledges that Christians are to be different.  The last time we were in Ephesians we covered these save verses to understand the doctrine of change.  Today, I wish to take that doctrine and walk through a practical application.

Change is hard.  Change, when it comes to sin is even harder.  Because sin is so powerful, you cannot change on your own.  The reason Christians are to stand out as changed people is that the change is unattainable through secular means.  The Holy Spirit is required to be the strength for our change.  He is our conscience, our motivator, our giver of wisdom.

1. Spirit led

            Make your change a matter of worship.  Not a matter of pride, health, or performance)

            Give glory unto God. Romans 8:1- 14, 1 Corinthians 10:31

2. Scriptural Based

            Ask God to lead you to corresponding scriptures, and make them real in your life.  Your change needs a doctrine behind it. PS 119:11, Matthew 13:18-24

3. Prayer

            Prayer confronts the inner man.  Use your verses as a means of prayer. Psalm 66:18, James 5:16-18, 1 Peter 3:12

4. Form a new habit in place of the old.

            Replace sensuality with self-control, thieves must now work to help others. Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:28

5. Consistency

            Plan to keep a covenant with God.  Know your heart and weaknesses. Be prepared. James 1:14-15, 1 Corinthians 10:112-14

6. Repent-work-repent as necessary

            Have a plan for when you fail to get up again and not quit. Matthew 4:17, 1 John 1:9

7. Accountability

            We need a brother’s keeper.  This is part of church covenant membership. 2 Thessalonians 3:13-16, James 5:19-20

Sermons notes Lord’s Supper Am I Ready?

Lord’s Supper Am I Ready?

And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luk 18:9-17)

As part of preparing yourself for the Lord’s Supper, we are to examine ourselves as in 1 Corinthians 11.

Jesus tells a relevant parable to our situation.

How do you see yourself?

How do you see others?

This deals with righteousness.

·         Am I justified before God?

·         Have I fulfilled my duties?

·         Am I without excuse?

·         Outward appearance or inward condition?

·         What is the standard by which I judge myself?

Pharisee

Stood by himself- lack of fellowship

Standing-common form

God I thank you that I am not like other men- superior, unteachable, judgmental

Extortioners, unjust, adulterers, - lists many sins that would be attributed to tax collectors.

Or even like this tax collector.- starts to single himself out above others. (lacking grace, compassion, or humility)

            Begins to show God why favor should be bestowed.

I fast twice a week- only prescribed fast was Day of Atonement.

I give tithes of all that I get- But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. "But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

(Mat 9:12-13)

But

The Tax Collector- hated and despised as a traitor of his people to serve the Romans.

Stood far off-

Would not lift his eyes- contrite heart

Beat his breast saying “God be merciful to me, a sinner!-

I TELL YOU

This man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.

Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

                                   

Now look at the very next part of the story;

And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."

Not only are we to be humble towards God and man, but children also.

How are we to receive the kingdom of God?

            Like children.

                        Childlike, not childish.