Jason Shields is a researcher and trainer in race, social justice and theology and a youth and community leader
Moving members from the margins to the centre
Why should we be radically inclusive of people with additional needs in church? Jason Shields explained at this year’s Belong conference
What would our churches look like if we put members currently on the margins right at the centre? Members with additional needs, for example?
That’s the question Jason Shields asked in his talk, “Radical Inclusivity”, at the Belong Conference organised by Coventry Elim’s Emma Bacon in June.
The annual event trains youth workers and volunteers who support people with additional needs. Jason’s message to them – and anyone reading this article – is that churches must stop viewing additional needs support as an optional add-on delivered by specialists or people with a passion for it.
“We want to help church leaders and faith communities understand that a more Christ-like approach is understanding people on the margins, putting them at the centre, allowing them to be heard and really meeting their needs,” he says. “This is why radical inclusivity matters. If we get it right for these families, we get it right for everyone.”
So why should we aim for this kind of radical inclusivity?
Inclusivity is biblical
Jason gave the example of Hagar – the Egyptian surrogate who names God ‘the God who sees’.
“Hagar’s story shows that God uses people on the margins of society to reveal what he’s like,” says Jason. “He doesn’t just focus on the strong, the popular. Often, he uses people who are unseen, unheard and unloved to show his hear t. This also shows what he wants our hearts to be like.” Including people on the margins is not optional, Jason says. “Their voices need to be heard. It’s about helping churches unite around them and to be communities which support everyone.”
Common pitfalls can exclude people
Flashing lights, read-only communication, loud worship music. There are many aspects of church life that cause people with additional needs to struggle.
The neurological spectrum is complex, but understanding the common pitfalls will help you be more inclusive.
“A child with ADHD might struggle with sitting down for long periods for a story or to do a task,” says Jason.
“They may need fidget toys or space to move around rather than being expected to conform to what everyone else is doing.
“A child who’s dyslexic might have difficulty with reading, writing or understanding what’s being said at the same pace as others. That can be marked out by not wanting to read, engage or stand out. They might need time to process.
“Children who are autistic might find social engagement complex; eye contact might be challenging, or engagement in friendship groups.
“Our question is – what would it look like for them to be included as opposed to just being the kids on the side who need additional help?”
Parents need support
“It’s a challenge for parents of children with additional needs to come to a busy environment that’s over-stimulating and offers no space to be calm and emotionally regulate,” says Jason.
“It often means they don’t come to church. They’re thinking, ‘My child can’t handle ten people saying hello at once or a room with lots of colours, pictures, instruments and loud noises.’”
Many parents can feel stigmatised, tired and exhausted, yet don’t express how challenging it can be to engage with church.
“They often don’t have a support network to whom they can explain how difficult it can be just to get children up and out of the house to a space that isn’t set up for their needs.”
The solidarity and understanding of a faith community that allows these families to fully participate in church life will make a world of difference.
For more information, get in touch with Emma at emma@elim-coventry.org.uk
The key myths about creating inclusive spaces
“My aim is for people to understand why fully including people with additional needs is important to God, then to tackle how to start doing this in small increments,” says Emma Bacon.
This is what she set out to do at this year’s Belong conference in Coventry on 15 June – the annual event she organises for youth workers and volunteers supporting children and young people with additional needs in church contexts.
The event dispelled some key myths that can create barriers to inclusive spaces.
Myth one: you need to be qualified to help
“Sometimes people can think they need to have qualifications to work with these children,” says Emma.
“They avoid starting anything because they say, ‘I’m not qualified. I can’t do this.’”
But you don’t need to be qualified to be inclusive. Emma has seen people with no experience step up and serve well as they’ve discovered God’s heart for these young people.
“It’s about taking away the fear that you h av e to k no w w h at you’re doing to get started. Instead just start with your heart.”
Myth two: you need a concrete plan before you can help
“Every child is different, so you can have loads of information in front of you but actually, none of it might work because it’s not relevant to that particular child,” says Emma.
That’s why you need to be flexible; experiment and find what works in your church.
“Instead of beginning with what your ministry needs, it’s really important to look at the specific child in front of you and consider what they need.”
Myth three: you need an official diagnosis to help
One key topic at this year’s conference was the pros and cons of labelling. Official diagnoses can be helpful, but they’re not essential, says Emma.
It might be that additional needs are unofficially perceived, for example.
“A lot of people say, ‘This child hasn’t been diagnosed but they’re struggling, what should we do?’”
“They get caught up on the idea that a child has to have a diagnosis before they can act. I don’t believe that’s true.
“For me the answer is simple: if a child is struggling – with anxiety, noise or connection, for example – do what you can to help.”
In some cases there is a diagnosis, but parents have simply asked that their child receives some extra one-to-one support.
Emma says: treat each case individually and follow God’s heart for supporting children with additional needs.
This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.
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