When I started working at the Baltimore-Washington Conference, one of the first people I met on my tour of the building was Tony Martucci. Tony worked with our Facilities Assistant, Ricky, and spent the bulk of his time completing tasks with him. As a mother with a child on the autism spectrum, I noticed right away that Tony had special needs or could be on the spectrum like my son, so it was easy for me to overlook Tony’s lack of eye contact and social awkwardness at our initial meeting. He displayed behaviors I witness in my son. Although our interactions over the last three years have been brief and few, mostly due to remote work, I was always encouraged by his presence and role on the team. I knew that if Tony could find an organization and people to welcome him, show him compassion, and allow him to use his gifts and talents, then surely, God would do the same for my boy. Most parents worry about if their child will be positively received, find friends and opportunities, and have a place in this world, but those worries are exacerbated when that child has special needs or is on the autism spectrum.
This is why when thinking about mission, we must not forget about accessibility. Google defines accessible as, “able to be reached or entered,” with the example, “The town is accessible by bus.” It’s also defined as “easily understood or appreciated,” with the example, “An accessible account of his theories.” This means when it comes to the accessibility of our churches, ministries, and the Gospel message, there is a two-pronged approach. We must think about physical accessibility – making it easy for all people to gain access to our churches, ministries, and offerings, and we must think about intellectual accessibility. Are the messages we communicate in the various components of ministry (children’s, young adult, special needs, etc.) easily grasped and understood? With these things in mind, we see that accessibility is going to look different across the board. Accessibility can look like adding ramps and elevators, making sure bathrooms are easy to access and use, designated sensory-friendly worship services or rooms, educating congregants about different types of needs, awareness days or months, ASL interpreters, and closed-captions. There are infinite possibilities. If we want to reach all of God’s people for Jesus Christ and be mission-shaped people, then we must address accessibility.
I recently preached about Mephibosheth. My sermon title was “A Seat at the Table.” My main point was God makes room for all of us at His table despite our varying conditions and abilities just like a seat was made for Mephibosheth despite his “crippled feet.” Let us not forget those people like Tony and my son when we are thinking about ministry and mission because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these too.
What are some ways your church makes the Gospel, ministry, events, and happenings accessible to all people?
Tony, may you rest in eternal peace in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. Your life was a blessing to me.