What if your church could become the most welcoming place a family of a child with special needs visits all week? 

In this Breakout Session from IMPACT 2025, Shea Burdette from The Church at LifePark invites ministry leaders and volunteers to see beyond diagnoses and behavior challenges, and instead focus on building genuine relationships rooted in love, community, and support. Drawing from both personal and professional experience, Burdette offers encouragement and insight for churches seeking to create spaces where every family feels seen, welcomed, and valued.

1. Start with a Clear Vision
   • Pray for God’s direction and pick a foundational Bible verse (e.g., Psalm 139:14).
   • Define what you want the ministry to look like (Sunday programs, parent groups, outreach, etc.).
   • Stay open to God changing and refining your vision over time.
2. Create Strong Branding
   • Choose a memorable name connected to your church’s theme (e.g., “WonderPark” linked to Life Park Church).
   • Display your Bible verse prominently to encourage and affirm families.
   • Consistently promote your ministry through signage, t-shirts, and communication materials.
3. Build Compassion Across the Whole Church
   • Meet regularly with your lead pastor and other ministry leaders to get their buy-in.
   • Educate the entire church staff about the ministry’s vision.
   • Hold prayer services and share testimonies from families and volunteers.
4. Recruit Volunteers Wisely
   • Recruit people based on calling and character, not just experience.
   • Require volunteers to shadow 3 times before serving independently.
   • Group volunteers in rotations so kids see familiar faces (e.g., serve twice a month).
   • Encourage volunteers with small appreciation gifts and personalized notes.
5. Train and Support Volunteers Thoroughly
   • Walk volunteers through a “playbook” of policies and real-life scenarios.
   • Pair volunteers carefully with kids based on skills and personalities.
   • Provide ongoing training about calming strategies, triggers, and expectations.
   • Keep communication open (texts, quick debriefs after service).
6. Create a Safe, Structured Environment
   • Start with a small, safe space and grow as needed.
   • Offer different service models: inclusion, self-contained rooms, and hybrids.
   • Use intake forms to understand children’s needs before they attend.
   • Ask for and review IEPs with permission to better serve each child.
7. Support Parents Intentionally
   • Host a parent Bible study that alternates between spiritual growth and special needs topics.
   • Organize casual events like coffee meetups, Friendsgiving, and craft nights.
   • Offer respite nights (especially around busy seasons like Christmas).
   • Be a resource connector: if your ministry can’t serve a family well, help them find another church or program.
8. Use Practical Communication Strategies
   • Don’t rely only on emails; use Facebook, Instagram, videos, and personal invitations.
   • Create short encouraging handouts for parents to take home after church.
   • Keep a directory of local special needs resources (therapists, camps, legal help).
9. Protect Healthy Boundaries
   • Teach volunteers to refer any issues to leadership rather than solving them themselves.
   • Avoid taking on more than your margin allows — grow slowly and sustainably.

Special needs ministry is not about having all the answers. Cultivating compassion and community takes time and intention, but the fruit is lasting. As you take steps to implement what you’ve learned, may you be reminded that creating a supportive church culture begins with simple acts of kindness, empathy, and connection. Every child matters, and every effort to include and uplift them reflects the heart of Christ.