I received an email from my dear friend Andrew at my FB account, asking me to call him about our 2x2 ministry. It is a ministry near and dear to my heart, as it is what got me going to our current church. Here is a snippet from the church website regarding the ministry:
Two by Two is the name of our Special Needs Ministry. This is a reference to Noah and the Ark; that we are better together and that no one gets left behind. Deltona Lakes Baptist Church embraces the two greatest commandments: Love God and Love People. Mathew 22:37-40 We want to affirm with your child the love of Jesus Christ. Our hope is to mainstream your child in an age appropriate Sunday school class with a “Bible Buddy” when possible. Alternatively we staff a stand alone class room with educational activities.
If you'd like to find out more, I'll direct you to the church website: http://deltonalakes.org/ministries/
My friend Andrew, who is one of the founders of the organization, asked me to be the 1st service leadership in this ministry. There is a couple who is in charge of the second service, Tim and Sheila, and they can't possibly do it all. Apparently, Tim, Sheila and Andrew all got together, prayed about who had the most leadership qualities and passion for the ministry, and decided it was me. I cannot even begin to tell you how shocked I am. First of all, yes, I'm passionate about it. But I don't ever consider myself to be a leader. I laughed and asked Andrew if that was his polite way of telling me I was bossy. When I first started going to this church about four years ago, this was the program that got me. I could finally drop Bucket off and go to worship, which I hadn't done in years. Last year, I finally got involved as a volunteer, and not just a parent. I work with a delightful young girl every other month. I thought that was going to be the extent of my service.
I told Andrew I needed to speak to Mr. R about it, and then pray. Being a leader in a ministry was not at all on my game plan. I keep saying the same old things: working full time, student part time, momma ALL THE TIME. This position would very likely only take about two hours a week, all on Sunday, plus possibly making phone calls during the week to make sure volunteers are lined up for the first service. It's not a huge time sucker. But I'm still not ready to commit. And for one reason only: I'd be leaving my three kids at home every Sunday morning for about an hour and a half, and they would have to be self-motivated enough to eat breakfast, get dressed, and walk to church without me standing over them. I'm pretty sure Missy will be fine. But those boys? I am not convinced.
I just have a lot to think about.
3 comments:
Hello there... I followed you home from Terry's place☺ I also have children with special needs, including a wee bit'o'autism spectrum stuff, and I am intrigued by this ministry idea. In our tiny church we have children with deafness, Asperger's, PPDNOS, Down syndrome, plus all of the incorrigibly normal kids;) We're way too small for the self contained classroom idea, but the buddy plan might work swimmingly. Is this something that your church has come up with independently, or is a larger ministry? I'd be very interested in hearing more!
Have a blessed day!
First of all, welcome! Second, this idea was the brainchild of two parents at our church who have children with autism. They both recognized that segregation is not always the best when it comes to our special kids. I walked in on the program as a parent, not one of the administrators. As far as I know, this is their brainchild, and I'm just the lucky recipient of their amazing blessing!
My son was one of the first children initiated into the program, and we all admit that he was basically one of the first guinea pigs, lol. He has done amazingly well in the program. He has "graduated" from it now, as he is in middle school.
Basically, each child has a buddy, who sits with them during class, or helps as a teacher. When such child may need aid, that buddy is there to help. If stimulation gets to be too much, we have the extra room to escape to, relax, get ourselves together, maybe even watch a movie if a regular classroom day is not going to happen. (sometimes, we all have those days, don't we?)
Let me know if you have any other questions!
First of all, welcome! Second, this idea was the brainchild of two parents at our church who have children with autism. They both recognized that segregation is not always the best when it comes to our special kids. I walked in on the program as a parent, not one of the administrators. As far as I know, this is their brainchild, and I'm just the lucky recipient of their amazing blessing!
My son was one of the first children initiated into the program, and we all admit that he was basically one of the first guinea pigs, lol. He has done amazingly well in the program. He has "graduated" from it now, as he is in middle school.
Basically, each child has a buddy, who sits with them during class, or helps as a teacher. When such child may need aid, that buddy is there to help. If stimulation gets to be too much, we have the extra room to escape to, relax, get ourselves together, maybe even watch a movie if a regular classroom day is not going to happen. (sometimes, we all have those days, don't we?)
Let me know if you have any other questions!
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