In John 9, Jesus’ disciples asked Him why a man had been born blind. Was it because of his sin or his parents’ sin? Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3). Many Christians are familiar with this passage, but have we considered what it could mean for our churches today? What if we are missing out on opportunities to experience the glory of God because we are not including people with disabilities in our churches?
If someone asked you, “Do you want to experience more of Christ?” your answer would likely be yes. If they asked, “Do you want to reach one of the largest unreached people groups?” most believers would answer yes again. Yet both of these opportunities may be sitting right in front of many of us. People affected by disability represent one of the largest unreached and underserved people groups, and they are right here in our neighborhoods. Many families affected by disability remain disconnected from a local church, not because they are uninterested in faith, but because barriers often prevent them from participating fully.
Imagine how John 9 might play out in our churches today. What if Jesus’ words, “so that the works of God might be displayed,” were about the ongoing ways that God was revealing Himself through the various BCM/D churches engaging in ministering to people with disabilities? What testimonies, gifts, relationships, and displays of God’s grace are we missing when we fail to create places where everyone belongs? How many more salvations, baptisms, sold out Everyone Belongs camps, and growth would we experience as a convention?
I believe the question we should consider isn’t whether or not people with disabilities need the church. But rather does the church need people with disabilities. According to Scripture, the answer is yes! The body of Christ is incomplete when any member is absent. When we include people with disabilities, we are not just welcoming a lost people group, we are positioning ourselves to witness the works of God on display and to experience more of Christ together.
Disability ministry is one of five focus areas the Compassion Ministries Offering (CMO) exists to strengthen—alongside abuse prevention, disaster relief, evangelism, and poverty assistance. Your gift helps BCM/D churches build Everyone Belongs ministries, train volunteers, and remove the barriers that keep families affected by disability from belonging fully. As we approach the CMO Week of Prayer, September 13–20, we’re asking every church to pray and give toward this work. Learn more and give at bcmd.org/cmo.
