Roadblocks to Starting Disability Ministry

I live in North Canton, OH. My hometown is best known for being the home of the NFL Hall of Fame. Each summer the new NFL season starts in Canton, OH with the Hall of Fame weekend. Thursday Night Football gets everything kicked off and the weekend-long celebration wraps up with the Concert for Legends on Sunday evening.

Seems like no matter which direction you travel from to get to Canton, OH you will run into some roadblocks and detours. Coming from the north you will find that 77 South is closed and has been seemingly forever. Getting closer to the Hall you will find the final exit is being completely re-routed. If you are coming I hope you enjoy seeing orange barrels.

Roadblocks and detours are just the worst! The fact that you know where you want to get, but you cannot get there as quickly as you would like just stinks. No one likes getting delayed or plain stopped.

The same goes for disability ministry. There are a lot of roadblocks and detours that you may stumble across on your journey of getting started. The following are just a few:

• Not knowing where to start
• Lack of volunteers
• Lack of training
• Money
• Fear
• Lack of support from Leadership
• Feeling overwhelmed
• General lack of awareness in the congregation

The road to starting a disability ministry is paved with orange barrels. Being determined to not give up is the greatest thing you can do when you encounter one of these roadblocks. Take a deep breath and pray. Remember this fact:

Disability Ministry is often a crock-pot ministry and not a microwave ministry.

It takes time to get things started. In John 16:33 Jesus made several promises to his disciples.

I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of me. In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.

Notice that Jesus promises both trouble and peace to his disciples. Peace comes because Jesus is victorious!

If you are starting a Disability Ministry you will no doubt fact trouble in the form of roadblocks and detours. Despite these troubles, you can also have peace. Jesus has already overcome these troubles. He is with you. He wants you to be successful. He has commanded churches to reach out to the disability community (Luke 14). If He has commanded you, He will help you be victorious. May you find peace in that today.

Should you find that you are stuck and need help finding your way through the detours, contact us at Ability Ministry. We are here to help! We are so passionate about helping you get past these roadblocks that we will help you for FREE. That is right. No charge!