The Body of Christ is Disabled
My son has a microdeletion on his 7th chromosome. He is missing just a tiny fraction of a fraction of his total DNA code. This syndrome is known as Williams syndrome. This small fraction of missing code has had dramatic effects. My son was born with unique facial features, cardiovascular issues, health vulnerabilities, and intellectual disabilities.
While everyone would recognize that missing any part of the body, either at birth or due to the circumstances of life, is a tragedy, it is not uncommon. The church is described in the Bible as the body of Christ, both locally and globally (insert ref). Paul, in 1 Corinthians, argues that the church needs the entire body with all of its gifts and all that it adds. If the entire body was a mouth, the church would be deaf. If the entire church was a foot, we would be blind.
Paul’s argument, however, goes even further. He writes that “the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12:22, ESV). In God’s design, the members who are often overlooked are not optional. They are necessary. The church is not simply called to tolerate every member of the body but to recognize that every member contributes something essential to the health of the whole.
If any part of the body hurts, the whole body is damaged. A toothache can bring a mountain of a man to his knees. A microdeletion led to an open-heart surgery. A tiny narrowing in my son’s aorta almost killed my son. When a church is missing a part of the local body, whether it is someone’s gifting or someone who is part of the body but does not have access to attend or serve, then the whole body can be disabled. Currently, there is a large group of both believers and prospects who are missing from local bodies of believers: the disabled.
This has happened for multiple reasons. Physical barriers are common. Churches are exempt from ADA accessibility requirements. Many churches are missing key accessibility features: handicap parking, wheelchair access, bathrooms, and doors wide enough for wheelchairs. Social barriers abound as well. Those with autism and other sensory-processing disabilities feel judged because of the noise or other issues. They are concerned about their child’s safety and worry about putting a burden upon the church. I have seen a multitude of students, even in my own area, who are autistic or neurodivergent and have been asked to leave churches—not because they are violent or hurting others, but because the church felt ill-equipped to minister to them.
Not only do many of these believers feel separate and isolated, but the church is suffering. We’re missing parts of the body of Christ who can not only be ministered to but also minister. Disability does not limit service. Those with physical disabilities can, and historically have, preached faithfully and powerfully, and yet in many churches they cannot get onto the stage. Those with disabilities are able to sing beautifully and play skillfully. They can teach, encourage, pray, disciple, and serve. The church does not merely have something to offer them; they have something to offer the church.
For the past couple of years, in my small country church, we have been intentional about being welcoming to individuals with disabilities. We are not perfect and still have some barriers. Yet simply being verbally accepting and having a loving disposition has enabled us not only to reach individuals with disabilities but also to incorporate them into the life of the body. I have seen teens with autism serve and love in powerful ways. I have seen kids who would have been kicked out of other children’s ministries begin to grow and thrive.
When a part of the body is missing, whether it is your right arm or just a small microdeletion, the impacts can be devastating. Right now, many local bodies of Christ are disabled and missing pieces. Ironically, the pieces that are missing are those who themselves have disabilities.
If Paul is correct that the members who seem weaker are indispensable, then churches cannot afford to view disability ministry as an optional program or a specialized niche. It is a matter of the health of the body itself. When disabled believers are unable to participate fully in the life of the church, the entire church suffers the loss. But when barriers are removed and every member is welcomed, equipped, and encouraged to serve, the whole body becomes stronger.