Amy Fenton Lee is one of the brains behind this new resource (along with Jackie Mills-Fernald). Amy has written several articles for K! Magazine and speaks at Children’s Pastors’ Conference. I have come to value Amy as a friend and as a great resource to churches that are serious about ministering to those with special needs.

Check out the blog. You will find ideas and answers to help successfully include children with any number of physical, neurological, intellectual and emotional challenges.

This week, I’m running a little behind. So it’s Thursday Talk. Please forgive me.

This week on Tuesday Talk:
Dienna Goscha answers the question, “How can a children’s ministry improve their special needs ministry?”

The majority of churches are smaller churches without the means to run a separate special needs ministry. These churches, however, can effectively minister to special needs kids.

Parents want to know that the church cares about their kids. Simply taking the time to sit down with the parents and find out what that child specifically needs speaks volumes about the love the church has for the child.

Also, research the particular need the child has. Visit national websites and personal blogs that shed light on the child’s challenges. Be creative in your own particular environment with the knowledge that you have gained to maximize the chlid’s experience. Make sure that all teachers involved with the child understand the special challenges the child faces and is equipped with specific solutions to these challenges that they can implement. If a child needs one-on-one attention, find volunteers and schedule them to be the child’s “buddy.” Be sure to stay in contact with the parents as the needs of the child will change.

Most importantly, surround the child and the family with love and compassion so they know that they are not alone.

Dienna Goscha, co-founder of River’s Edge Curriculum, has a passion for creating an environment where children can connect with Christ in fun, relevant ways. She has twenty years of experience leading children’s ministries in churches. She believes that church should never be boring because knowing and loving God is the most exciting thing a child can do. Her creativity is the cornerstone for developing and writing children’s church curriculum.