Nearly every pastor ( 99 %) and churchgoer ( 97 %) says someone with a disability would feel welcomed and included at their church . Almost all pastors ( 99 %) say local churches should make necessary facility modifications to become more accessible to people with physical disabilities even when it is not required by law . Three-quarters of Protestant pastors ( 76 %) say local churches have a responsibility to provide financial resources and support to individuals with disabilities and their families . “ Jesus ’ s parable of a shepherd leaving the 99 to pursue one lost sheep demonstrates the priority churches must place on providing access to everyone ,” said Scott McConnell , executive director of
LifeWay Research . “ It may inconvenience the current flock by moving a teaching location or changing activities , but pastors and churchgoers say they see the need to do so . They believe creating access for everyone to hear the gospel and participate in the body of Christ matters .” Almost every pastor ( 95 %) says their church is involved in at least one of five different ways to care for those with disabilities and their families . Three in 4 pastors ( 75 %) say their church encourages volunteering in community events , like the Special Olympics , for people with disabilities . Most say they provide financially for families with ongoing needs ( 70 %) or provide respite for family caregivers to give them a break ( 60 %). Half of churches ( 50 %) provide an additional teacher to aid a person with special needs in a class . Fewer pastors ( 29 %) say their church provides classes or events specifically for people with disabilities . Larger churches are more likely than others to say they help in many of these specific ways . That gap is particularly pronounced when examining which churches provide an additional teacher for the individual with special needs . While three quarters ( 75 %) of churches with worship attendance topping 250 say they provide such assistants , 54 % of churches with 100 to 249 , 46 % of churches with 50 to 99 , and 35 % of churches with less than 50 say they do the same . “ Many churches likely won ’ t have the resources to provide classes or events specifically designed for only those with disabilities , but they will still have opportunities to help those individuals participate in the life of their church ,” said McConnell . While some churches might believe it is a matter of attitude or politeness , that isn ’ t what matters most to those with disabilities and their families . Churches seeking to provide a welcoming place for people with disabilities should begin by finding out from those with experience how they can improve .
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