A quiet revival - for all?

You've most likely read or heard about the quiet UK revival, namely the rising interest in Christianity among younger generations as explored in the Bible Society's latest report.

I remember when my husband and I ran Whizz Kids groups for kids at large events. We prayed that if children became Christians, it would be an obvious work of the Spirit. As a result, we have heard many stories of children saying they felt they were woken by Jesus, or He spoke to them in the shower. One even felt God's call when on a funfair ride! A call to faith that only God could take the glory for.

I feel it's the same with this quiet revival. No one can go and visit the place where revival is, no one can go and listen to a human who spoke when revival broke out. No one can claim it - only God.

I've been listening to many stories of children and young people just turning up at churches, having heard from God in some way and then feeling the urgency to find a church. I started to ask others and heard similar stories - about children, teens and adults. All made welcome.

But I've not heard these stories in the context of additional needs or disabilities.

Just this last week though, I've heard of even more families asked to leave their church because their child has additional needs. I've heard of disabled people given a contract of what they can't do in a service... even though those things are reasonable accommodations needed to attend a service. If they can't abide by the contract, then they can't come.

What would happen if a teen with additional needs was one of those turning up at church having encountered God? Or what if someone with complex disabilities did the same? Would we give the same welcome that we've given everyone else who has just turned up?

Welcoming: where to start?

If you want to be welcoming, start with your website. Explain what accessibility your church has in place. Are you welcoming to neurodivergent people? Say so. Let them know the setup of the church and building, have photos of inside the church and key people.

Secondly, make sure people are trained in welcoming disabled people and those with additional needs.

Best of all, ask the person in front of you what would help them to enjoy being with your church family.