May 15, 2008
Salvation or not?
Posted by specialgathering under Christianity, Developmental disabilities, Discipleship, Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Special Gathering, Starting a ministry to mentally challenged persons, church, mental retardation, mentally challenged community | Tags: Christianity, church, Developmental disabilities, Discipleship, Individuals with Intelllectual Disabilities, mental retardation, mentally challenged community, Special Gathering, Starting a ministry to mentally challenged persons |[2] Comments
At The Special Gathering of Indian River, we strongly believe that people who are mentally challenged can and should have a vibrant relationship with the Lord. We additionally believe that this relationship is not part of their birthright, unless they are born-again into God’s family.
There is a popular belief that mentally challenged people don’t need a salvation experience because they are forever children. Therefore, God would never shut one of them out of heaven.
Many years ago, when I first began to try and acquaint the local church community with The Special Gathering, which is a ministry within the mentally challenged community, I made a call to a local church. The secretary who answered the phone was cordial and even seemed excited about what we were doing. This was clearly an evangelical church that I had close ties with.
When I mentioned that we do classic ministry, evangelism and discipleship, her tone changed drastically. “My nephew is mentally challenged. Are you trying to tell me that the wonderful people that he lives with aren’t automatically going to heaven?” The more I tried to explain; the more adament she became in her argument that this population of people had a special dispensation which gave them a direct pipeline to the Father.
Unfortunately, you only have to work with us for a few weeks or months to realize that we share in the adamic nature with the rest of mankind. Of course, there are some folks who will never reach an age of accountability; but I am convinced that by and large most mentally challenged persons need to be born-again.
Sylvia is an example. She is extremely low functioning. She does not speak. In fact when you first meet her, you would assume that she has no ability to communicate in anyway. Yet, as you associate with her and make friends with Sylvia, you realize there is a great deal of activity in her mind. She is simply not able to let you know what it is, except through subtle and not so subtle ways. She has been attending our Vero Special Gathering for about six years. Over that time, I’ve seen Sylvia progressively enter more and more into worship with her smiles and joy.
While Sylvia often shows her displeasure and frustration by becoming angry and agitated, she sits quietly during the worship services and Bible study. She is clearly engaged during the sermons and praise and worship. She allows our deacons to pray with her during the prayer time.
Her mother reported to her caregiver that after coming to Special Gathering for a while, she would sit for long periods of time listening to Christian music that came on the television. This had never been her habit, neither did she sit and listen to just any music. She understands worship and she clearly enjoys praise music.
Of course, there is clearly a measure of understanding that is needed to accept the gospel. Yet, the simplicity of the gospel allows for a clear understand of Christian principles that often boggles a more sophisticated mind. Has Sylvia had a salvation experience? I don’t know. This I do know. Her behaviors have been altered for the better through her times of sharing worship. Aren’t those the fruits that the New Testament tells us that show we have entered into new life with Christ?
Have you seen changes in behaviors which have helped you to see the validity of the salvation experience within the mentally challenged community?