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| FREEDOM TO WORSHIP by Norman Rockwell - 1943 |
16,100,000!
According the the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 16.1 million people in the U.S who have limitations in cognitive functioning or have a mental or emotional illness that interferes with their daily activities. This number includes those with Alzheimer's disease and mental retardation. (4 million are children ages 6 to 14.)
That is 16.1 million people that need to be lovingly integrated into our Christian community. A community that is directly responsible for all of our spiritual growth. Might these 16.1 million disabled people enjoy the same worship experiences that have been described in these "Worship for All" posts over the past few days?
My understanding of the book of Revelation is very clear. It is a book of worship! When God's Work is done and His Word is fulfilled, all believers will gather around the throne of the Heavenly Father to worship Him for all of eternity. Am I right? Should we not be promoting a welcoming and comfortable worship TODAY to the 16.1 million people as mentioned above? What say you?
A second number is a small number but will still shock you:
That is 16.1 million people that need to be lovingly integrated into our Christian community. A community that is directly responsible for all of our spiritual growth. Might these 16.1 million disabled people enjoy the same worship experiences that have been described in these "Worship for All" posts over the past few days?
My understanding of the book of Revelation is very clear. It is a book of worship! When God's Work is done and His Word is fulfilled, all believers will gather around the throne of the Heavenly Father to worship Him for all of eternity. Am I right? Should we not be promoting a welcoming and comfortable worship TODAY to the 16.1 million people as mentioned above? What say you?
A second number is a small number but will still shock you:
50!
By the law of averages, if there are 16.1 million people who need daily help because of the limitations of their cognitive functioning or have mental /emotional illness. If there are 320,000 churches in the U.S., then the potential for worship attendance at YOUR church this Sunday from this group of special needs people is at least 50!
Next Sunday, please look around your church building. Are there 50 disabled children and/or adults worshipping next to you? No? Let's be candid. Can you find even 5 disabled children and/or adults in your midst? No? Is it possible . . .that there are none?
If this is sadly so, then we need to talk. Is your church missing God's target? The Worship For All Foundation can help your church provide a reason and a method for it to grow in attendance and impact! Here is how!
Are there 10 churches in your area? Are the churches in your area not effectively reaching out to the special needs community? Again, by the law of averages, perhaps there are 500 people of disabilities who would greatly benefit by participating in a comfortable, well-designed worship experience. So where are these 500 disabled people and their 500 families? The disabled person is at their home and has no reason to risk attendance at your church. There is at least one family member with them. They are unconnected. Most likely, the entire family is disconnected.
Did you know, an impactful worship service need only be 25 minutes long! It can be on any day of the week? The fullness of God's Word is easily communicated to our friends of disability. I've seen the smiles and the focus and the sense of belonging at nearly a hundred worship services in the last 10 months! A "Worship for All" mindset can make an instant difference in the lives of many families in your community. Allow me show you how!
This is the "Worship for All" blog. It has a heavenly ending!
Next up: "Groundhog Day"
This is the "Worship for All" blog. It has a heavenly ending!
Next up: "Groundhog Day"
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