What Is Your Congregation’s HQ?

by Mark Hinds
General Editor

This article is in response to Item 12–12, Recommendation 2.d(1), which calls for the General Assembly Council through the Office of Theology and Worship to encourage congregations to provide large-print Bibles, hymnals, bulletins, accessible facilities and hearing devices.

My 20-year-old son was recently diagnosed with a serious medical condition that requires he use a wheelchair. As a result of his experience, I am noticing in new ways the challenges the disabled face, the challenges otherwise able-bodied folk sometimes fail to see. For example, we had a difficult time finding an affordable apartment that had ramps and accessible (wide enough) doorways. We settled on an apartment complex that had done a lot of things well. It is more expensive than I would like, but I decided that the accessibility was worth the extra outlay of funds. Still, our new apartment has its accessibility challenges. Even though the parking space nearest our apartment that was dedicated to the handicapped driver was available, the space next to it was not van accessible, so the parking space was virtually unusable. It took weeks of badgering the management to dedicate the adjacent parking space for van accessibility.

I find that I am more attuned to the efforts businesses make to be hospitable to all persons. Many businesses exhibit a high hospitality quotient (HQ). Today, I am more aware of the height of light switches on walls, dedicated wheelchair spaces in concert halls and sanctuaries, and our community’s bus service for the disabled. I find myself giving quiet thanks to God whenever I encounter indications that my son is welcome and cared for. Hospitality as a biblical warrant leads us to wonder: How welcoming is our church building? What is our church’s HQ?

Many congregations convey welcome to the disabled by thoughtful additions to their buildings and services: wheelchair ramps, accessible restrooms, hearing aids, and large-print bulletins, Bibles and hymnals. Has your session conducted an accessibility assessment of your church’s building? One way to do that is to borrow or rent some wheelchairs and invite your elders to try to maneuver all areas of the building. Check with your congregation’s insurance company for advice in this matter.

Celiac sprue, or celiac disease, is a painful chronic disorder of the small intestine. It is caused by sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat and rye and, to a lesser extent, in oats and barley. People suffering from celiac sprue can become quite ill from eating even small amounts of gluten. More and more churches are offering worshipers the choice of gluten-free Communion bread in addition to their customary Communion bread.

All it takes is a little sensitivity and the will to make the church a hospitable place. The Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association provides consultants in the areas of hearing, mobility, visual and developmental disabilities. These consultants’ email addresses are posted on PHEWA Web site.

Finally, and most important, get to know the disabled in your church and community. One of the wisest suggestions I’ve heard during my son’s ordeal is to know him as a person, a beloved child of God. It is so tempting to make good accessibility decisions without ever getting to know the person who can’t see or hear or walk.