Articles for tag: Down Syndrome

October 2, 2019

Retired Minister Hires Special-Needs Workers for Venture (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman A retired pastor at Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Ky., is opening a coffee shop that employs people with special needs. Brewster McLeod served Southland for 40 years before retiring last year. Now he is preparing to open McLeod’s Coffee House early this month at 376 Southland Drive. He has hired 50 employees, all of them with special needs, faithwire.com reports. “If Down syndrome or special needs make you nervous, you probably need to come in here and relax and just treat them like anyone else,” he told WKYT News. McLeod said he

November 16, 2010

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Community Outreach

The Buddy System

By Jennifer Taylor Central Church of Christ (Mount Vernon, Ohio) is committed to serving people with special needs. Five years ago the church launched its “Very Important Persons” class for community members with Down syndrome. Each participant is matched with a “buddy” who becomes a special mentor and meets on Wednesday afternoons for Bible lessons, singing, trips, restaurant outings, and more. “An outgrowth of the ministry has been clowning,” says associate minister Don Linn. “The group rides in parades and visits nursing homes together. Not only is it fun for them, but we”ve discovered people treat them differently. Kids approach

July 27, 2008

Christian Standard

Church Life

Lessons Learned from Christ”s Church

By Bruce E. Shields It bothers and often mystifies me to hear people talk about their faith in God and Jesus Christ and, in the next breath, their lack of interest in the church. Perhaps we professor types share some responsibility for this, since we so often deal with the Bible, church history, and Christian doctrine””yes, and even Christian ministries””as though they have little connection with real people in real congregations. We present the ideal Christian community and then send students out into real””that is, messy””congregations. I recall reading once that the church is a little like Noah”s ark. If

April 16, 2006

Becky Ahlberg

Worship & Prayer Worship

Seamless, Polished, Professional

A worship leader recounts “messy” but deeply anointed moments, including a special-needs drama and a heartfelt Communion meditation, urging churches to plan excellent worship that is also inclusive and authentic.