Special Needs Adults

What I’ve learned from Working with Special Needs Adults:

1. Special needs adults have a voice. They want to be heard. They have things to say that could change our world if we stopped to listen.

2. Adults with special needs want to be treated like humans. We strip them of their very humanity when we talk over them or admire those who work with “such people.”

3. Special needs adults are the most loving people on earth. And they mean it.

4. Special needs adults do not know how to be fake or act like someone they are not. We could learn a lot from such behavior.

5. There is less to be afraid of (than most think) with special needs adults. Most are more sweet and loving than anyone you’ll know.

6. Special needs adults have experienced a lot of pain and hardship in their life—and they trust God anyway. Their faith is inspiring. They tend to experience more death than most people (friends in their group homes or they’ve met at special events)—and yet they still have faith in the love of God.

7. A smile and a safe touch on the shoulder will make a huge difference for special needs adults. They do not need massive, expensive things. Attention could change their world.

8. They believe, trust, and hope in a restored creation and act like it is possible. The “unspecial” among us doubt this possibility constantly.

9. Special needs adults work hard at everything and with joy. Even scrubbing floors. They just want to be a part of something—whatever it might be.

10. Special needs adults are incredibly giving. They tend not to have limits of giving of themselves on behalf of another.

11. Special needs adults let themselves go in freedom—they will dance horribly and not care. Social limitations we all are stuck with and allow guide our actions—are not important to them.

12. God listens to special needs adults. Their prayers are answered in amazing ways with their childlike faith. They’ll even clap with excitement when prayers are answered. I cannot remember the last time I saw such celebration over answered prayers.

Coming out of the Church Closet (and into creation)

Dan Kimball wrote a book titled “They Like Jesus But not the Church.” I could not speak a better sentence to describe my own life right now. Which—I must admit is why my own blog writing has been lacking lately—because I cannot stand the church I see today. I wrestled in my own heart with the question: How can someone with a blog titled “Redemption is calling” dislike the church so much and write and publish things theologically on their blog?

Maybe it’s just a phase, I assured myself. I’ll get over it.

It’s been two months since my last post. I am not getting over it.

After much wrestling—I decided to “come out of my closet,” so to speak. I can’t stand the church-- I see today. There it is, in print.

I recently sat at a table of agnostics and uttered the following phrase: “I don’t blame you at all for rejecting this whole church thing; not even a little bit. I looked for God in church—and didn’t find any divine being there.” They were astonished. After all, I’m an ordained elder.

Now this is NOT to say the preaching is lacking. Actually, the church I’m attending has the best preaching ever heard. The man has got some talent theologically and has tremendous communication skills. But that does not make up a church; unfortunately. I wish it did.

This is NOT to say the programs are lacking. I attended several churches with phenomenal programs for all ages. Everyone has a place. But this does not make up a church either; unfortunately. I wish it did.

So what is lacking? Why can’t Christy Gunter stand the church?

Because I have not found God in the church— along with the rest of my agnostic friends. In fact, I've found my agnostic friends act more like the Jesus that Christians claim to follow. They love without limits and refuse to judge.

Last week I found myself at the community garden. My little boy and I were in the dirt, digging, watering, and planting. Some little girls (ages 5 and 7) were invited. They were home without an adult and had eaten chicken nuggets for breakfast. As I showed them how to plant seeds, I saw God.

A few days ago I was talking to an amazing man who goes to work in Thailand to end human trafficking and create more options for women—and I saw God.

I was working at the community coffee house (also called Meads Corner) and I was hurting. Someone saw the pain in my eyes and gave me a huge hug—and I saw God.

That same day my best friend looked at me with sheer honesty and said the most profound sentence ever. He said, “Christy, I think you went into ministry to be where Jesus is at and since Jesus is not in the church—but amongst the poor and disenfranchised—go be where Jesus is.”

He’s right.

Now this is NOT to say I am leaving community. Everyone needs community to interpret and develop who they are in Jesus. I have the most amazing community ever outside of the church. And we all love Jesus.

This is NOT to say I am ready to turn in my credentials—although they can have the piece of paper. God does not need an ordination status to use me.

This is NOT to say you won’t see me in church or that I think redemption is no longer calling. God’s Kingdom is transforming creation—and I’m going to be a part of it, wherever that might be.

I just want to be where Jesus is.

I am going to get more involved in intentional community. Being the Kingdom of God in a community of people—preferably the poor. Perhaps even around the community garden.

I am going to spend my time investing in those who work to end the sex trade and human trafficking. This is where my heart is. I know what it is like to be treated like an object… even if I do not know what it is like to be sold and traded.

I want to be free to love people regardless of what they look like or how different they are from me (like I want to be free to love the homosexual for who they are and who they want to be). This is not acceptable in the church. We say it is—but it is not. Words mean nothing. They are empty—as empty as God in the church.

Recently I was described as sounding like Martin Luther ready to start a reformation or I was told (numerous times) I need to start a church.

Perhaps they are right. That sure is one way to become the church I wish it was. Start from scratch.

Though I’m fairly confident I do not have the gumption to be a reformer, I do know the church was meant for something better. We were created for something better.

And since the church is not living out who we were called to be—I will. If anyone wants to join me, you know where to find me. I’m always at Meads or amongst the rejected of society. You can find me there.

Redemption is calling. God is renewing and restoring.

Just maybe not where I’ve always looked.

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In response to my excellent responders... I add this to my article:

Some responded to me by saying 'If you don't like your church- find another.' I actually love my church. I am not critiquing a specific church. I'm beyond thankful for who my church is as a body as they loved me through trauma. I am critiquing the bride of Christ who is acting more like a whore than a bride. One church location is not THE church. It is all of us- Catholic- Protestant- & Orthodox together.

Others noted the last thing we need is another church or denomination. They are right! We need to get it together as ONE Church of Jesus Christ- without divisions or seperation.