Cherishing those who are developmentally or physically disabled is a critical mission of the church. In some circles we use related terms like “special needs” and “friendship ministry.” The Lord has recently had me on His workbench, reminding me that the first principles of His Word (e.g., Ex. 4:11), and of the visible church to which I belong (e.g., RP Testimony 26.4), call me to more carefully cherish the handicapped—whether special-needs kids, disfigured adults, or the aged with dementia. It is in the church where the full dignity of all human beings ought to be on display like nowhere else.

I was introduced to the special-needs world as a teenager in 1990 when my little brother Stephen was born with Down Syndrome, a genetic disorder causing a wide range of developmental delays and physical disabilities. As homeschooled students, my sister and I were quickly drawn into the world of doctor’s appointments, patterning at the local children’s hospital, and volunteering at a rehabilitation center. We learned firsthand how the presence of a special-needs individual can rattle or even devastate a family’s life (we saw numerous families break apart upon the birth of a special-needs child). But also, we saw how, over time, God humbled our family and enabled us to trust in Him and actively share His love and grace in the special-needs community.

Everything depends on how one conceives of the world. What lens does a person (or their faith community) use to interpret that unexpected event? Do we perceive special-needs folks as a bother or barrier to ministry? Or do we behold a divine appointment from the hand of God to minister long-term to these image bearers (Gen. 1:26-27)—and just maybe be further sanctified ourselves in the process?

How does a local church help a devastated family face the severe trials often associated with a special-needs person (e.g., Down Syndrome, brain damage, catastrophic accidents, or dementia)? What hope can a local church give to a family traumatized by such circumstances? Our culture tells us a person’s handicap somehow robs them of their humanity. Are they less important to God or to the church because they are not “normal”? What is normal anyway? These are questions that drive right to the heart of our collective and practical understanding of what it is to be a human being.

This vital worldview question led the RPCNA Synod to amend the RPCNA Testimony in 1994 to make explicit our confessional answer. By a vote of 165-7, the RPCNA adopted a statement for inclusion in the Reformed Presbyterian Testimony (paragraph 26.4, page A-91; the full report is contained in the 1994 Minutes of Synod, pp. 69-70, 78-79, 98-100). I don’t know how widely this particular statement from the Testimony has been considered in the churches (older printed editions of the Testimony do not contain this paragraph). I would like to quote it with personal reflections and examples.

“All people, regardless of their mental or physical condition, are made in the image of God.”

This core and fundamental Christian principle (in Latin, imago dei) is explicit in Scripture (Gen. 1:27; 2:7). This means that “everybody is my neighbor” (First Catechism 81), even those who are severely disabled. A biblical anthropology is personalized in Scripture (Ps. 139:14). Importantly, Jesus Himself featured the mentally and physically disabled in His public ministry. One beautiful example is in John 9, where Jesus specifically identifies why the blind man was born with a physical disability. He was not physically disabled as a judgment on the man or his parents, but “that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3). What a wonderful perspective this truth brings to ministry to special friends.

“We are not to evaluate individuals in terms of their mental and physical ability or appearance.”

In this statement the church pushes back hard against the notion of human utilitarianism. This philosophy holds that humans derive their value from how they think or what they do. Does a person’s “normalcy” make them a better human? The clear answer is no, and, furthermore, God clearly says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). I was challenged by this text years ago to more consistently connect submission to Christ with how I treated those in wheelchairs, or with severe speech impediments, or even those in a vegetative state. They are my neighbors.

“The church should be careful to accept and cherish its handicapped, incorporating them into the life of the church.”

As a young person, it was easy for me to gravitate toward my peers, who looked and sounded like me. But I was challenged by the words of King Jesus in Matthew 25:40, “Truly, I say unto you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it unto me.” This truth should be visible in the sincere love and active acceptance of special-needs folks by all within the local church.

One of the most beautiful things about having a special-needs brother is how visible his emotions are. Stephen and I have cried in movies. Every time we talk on the phone he wants to know, “How are things in your congregation?” He regularly prays through a list of RP churches, pastors, and specific needs.

My special-needs friends are precious and to be cherished. We can cherish them by listening carefully, socializing with them, and pursuing service opportunities alongside them in the body of Christ. What an opportunity God gives to hug, and be hugged by, special-needs friends in the local church.

“In evangelistic outreach the church should not overlook handicapped persons but seek them out, minister to them, and pray for their conversion” (2 Cor. 12:9-10; 2 Sam. 9:3-7; John 9:2-3).

I will never forget when my brother made a personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Several key people in his life carefully shared the gospel with him. Over time, I saw him come under conviction of sin, and eventually cry out (quite literally, with tears) in prayer to Jesus to save his soul. Many friends are not able to express (and sometimes not even to understand) the gospel. But don’t underestimate the power of simply, earnestly, and repeatedly sharing the good news.

We understand that, disabilities or not, each person has a soul that needs to be redeemed by Christ. Ordinarily, this effectual calling ought to manifest itself in a public profession of faith. But thankfully, God can save anyone He wants to at any time He wants to. Our understanding of sovereign grace means salvation does not depend on the church, or on human willpower (the minister’s or his special friend), but in the God who effectually calls His people in His time. The Westminster Confession explicitly addresses “elect persons who are uncapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word,” and it assures us that they “are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who worketh when, where, and how he pleaseth” (Westminster Confession 10.3, emphasis added). This frees us to develop personal relationships with our special friends to the degree possible, trusting that God will bring His purposes to pass.

I would encourage elders and deacons to occasionally evaluate your local church’s care for special-needs folks whom the Lord might bring across your path. Many congregations find it helpful to have a special-needs advocate who keeps these needs before the congregation. If the Lord gives you such opportunities, I’m confident a member of the RPCNA Disabilities Committee (many of whom have their own special-needs family member) would love to come alongside individuals or congregations to consider avenues for more effective discipleship for your special friends.

Today my brother Stephen is nearly 30 years old. He is one of my best friends. I simply cannot conceive of my family without Stephen’s presence. To a person, our family testifies to how God’s grace has blessed us through Stephen. I warmly encourage you to pray for opportunities to step into the thrilling and challenging calling of special-needs ministry. Workshops on the subject are scheduled for RP International 2021. May the world see that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, cherish every human being. For to be human is to bear the wondrous stamp of God’s own image.

Brad Johnston is the pastor of Topeka, Kan., RPC. He is a 2000 graduate of the World Journalism Institute and a 2004 graduate of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.