The Lighthouse in Rock Valley, Iowa, is a second campus of Faith Reformed Church where often around 20% of the worshippers are people with various abilities/disabilities. Several years ago, as I was leading worship, a person got up and walked out to the restroom, coming within three feet of me. Not a problem, I was totally okay with that. But then a few weeks later, as another person was leading worship, a young man who could not speak but would "yip" uncontrollably from time to time, was seated very close to the speaker and was vocalizing quite often. My thoughts were, "Oh, I wish his caregiver would move him to the back... or take him out..." And then God spoke to me in as nearly an audible voice as I've ever experienced, "What if that were Nathan? (our son) Wouldn't you want a place for him to come and worship??" I was convicted. And the folks at the Lighthouse have always been welcoming to every person coming to worship, no matter "disruptive" they might appear to be.
Posted in: Who Are We Excluding From Worship?
The Lighthouse in Rock Valley, Iowa, is a second campus of Faith Reformed Church where often around 20% of the worshippers are people with various abilities/disabilities. Several years ago, as I was leading worship, a person got up and walked out to the restroom, coming within three feet of me. Not a problem, I was totally okay with that. But then a few weeks later, as another person was leading worship, a young man who could not speak but would "yip" uncontrollably from time to time, was seated very close to the speaker and was vocalizing quite often. My thoughts were, "Oh, I wish his caregiver would move him to the back... or take him out..." And then God spoke to me in as nearly an audible voice as I've ever experienced, "What if that were Nathan? (our son) Wouldn't you want a place for him to come and worship??" I was convicted. And the folks at the Lighthouse have always been welcoming to every person coming to worship, no matter "disruptive" they might appear to be.