Possibility Ministries
This report outlines the work of BUC Possibility Ministries over the past term, highlighting the department’s commitment to fostering acceptance, inclusion and meaningful participation for people living with disabilities, those experiencing loss, and their caregivers. It reviews key areas of activity, including leadership training, support for local congregations, awareness initiatives such as Possibility Ministries Sabbath, ministry to carers and the bereaved, engagement with neurodiversity, safeguarding, resourcingand communication. The report also reflects honestly on ongoing challenges and concludes by setting out strategic priorities to strengthen inclusive ministry, embed lived experience in leadership, and equip churches to more fully reflect the values of dignity, belonging and shared mission.
Possibility Ministries Leadership Training
The department has drawn the churches’ attention to the Equality Act, which they are required to adhere to. This stipulates that all organisations offering services to the public have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to remove barriers, ensuring that disabled people can access services, participate, and belong on an equal basis with others.
The department has provided training through the BUTREC programme. Additional training has been signposted via a free online course offered by GC Possibility Ministries through the Adventist Learning Community.
Possibility Ministries Sabbath
The annual Possibility Ministries Sabbath provides a focal point to highlight the work that should be going on throughout the year to shape church culture so that people with disabilities and their families are fully welcomed, valued, and empowered to serve. The director has given active support to the conferences, missions and local church programming through sermons, seminars and panel discussions. The department has shared and signposted resources to support the day’s purpose.
Supporting Local Congregations/Initiatives
The department has encouraged the appointment of Possibility Ministries leaders in all congregations. Many churches that do not have members with obvious disabilities make no provisions for those who may wish to attend, which limits the untapped potential for outreach to people living with disabilities.
It has been a privilege to visit local churches to support the conferences, missions and local church programmes. Creating forums for feedback from those directly impacted by disabilities has resulted in uncomfortable but much-needed conversations about the lack of support at all levels of the church. For example, deaf and hard-of-hearing members have felt isolated within the mainstream churches, to the point that many have left for churches outside the Adventist faith to receive adequate services for their needs. However, we are pleased to see a significant increase in the number of British Sign Language (BSL) signers at key events in recent years, and we commend the excellent work done to train new signers.
Care for the Carers
Under the theme ‘Care for the Carers’, the director has delivered presentations to raise awareness of their needs and how churches can help. This includes signposting organisations and agencies that can provide assistance.
Grief Ministry
Bereavement is an ever-present reality among our members and their families, with the impact of grief lasting long beyond the funeral service. The department's programming, both online and in person, has provided a biblical foundation for a theology of suffering and practical ways for churches to support those dealing with loss.
Neurodiversity and the Church
Neurodiversity is a concept that recognises that human brains naturally vary in how they think, learn, process information, and experience the world. Embracing neurodiversity is critical for an inclusive church, and it presents us with huge opportunities. Research confirms that high numbers of families absent themselves from church because the church does not cater to the needs of their neurodivergent children. The department has presented seminars and workshops to encourage churches to become more inclusive.
Resourcing
Our monthly newsletter, ‘BUC Family’, publishes articles, information and resource recommendations related to disability and special needs. The Messenger has also been used to promote the department's work.
The BUC Possibility Ministries webpage contains a wealth of downloadable resources and signposting to helpful organisations. The site is periodically updated to keep our membership informed, equipped and supported.
Special Recognition
We wish to congratulate ASNA (the Adventist Special Needs Association), under the leadership of Sophia and Nigel Nicholls, on a landmark 25 years of dedicated service, providing spiritual, social, emotional and physical support to people living with disabilities and special needs.
We also acknowledge the excellent work of the Special Needs Camp management team, who provide an annual week of respite for families impacted by disabilities. The BUC’s annual funding ensures that families impacted by disabilities can benefit from a camp rooted in Christian principles that provides a safe, accepting and nurturing space to thrive.
Challenges
The department’s broad remit, as indicated by its seven key categories, poses a major challenge in giving the necessary attention to the vast needs they represent.
It is an unfortunate reality that the needs of individuals and families who are impacted by disabilities are often overlooked – not out of malice, but because of a combination of reasons such as a lack of awareness and training, lack of finance and resources, poor theology and cultural attitudes, to name a few. A significant barrier is the lack of people affected by disabilities being represented in planning and decision-making positions.
Special needs ministry challenges churches because it often requires specialised training, consistent volunteers, adaptive spaces and long-term commitment. Disabilities vary widely; families carry the burden of exhaustion; and progress is often slow. Limited resources, fear of causing harm, and tensions around inclusion can discourage congregations, even though compassion and complex safeguarding responsibilities demand care.
While financial restraints will always limit budgets, this department would benefit greatly from leadership with fewer competing portfolios and having qualified specialism in supporting those living with disabilities.
Going Forwards
The department will promote a three-tier training framework that equips churches at the awareness, inclusion and leadership levels, fostering sustainable volunteer engagement and enabling thoughtful, accessible and inclusive ministry practices nationwide.
We will advocate that ministerial training should shift to make Possibility Ministries’ inclusion-focused education modules a required component of formation, rather than relying on voluntary participation in special-needs training.
We will revisit the establishment of a diverse advisory council to embed lived experience in leadership, shifting the department from advocacy to ministry, ensuring inclusive representation in planning and decision-making.
The department will prioritise neurodiversity as a strategic focus to create resources, develop self-assessment pathways, and strengthen family retention by reframing inclusion as both evangelism and meaningful engagement.
The department will also develop toolkits and explore sensory-friendly worship to support autistic and ADHD children, empower volunteers, and create meaningful, practical inclusion in children’s and youth ministries nationwide.
We plan to harness AI, social media and digital technologies to amplify Possibility Ministries’ impact across the territory, raising awareness, enhancing engagement, and fostering inclusive, connected communities.
We will introduce inclusion metrics to track leadership training, accessibility and family retention, shifting inclusion from aspiration to accountability and providing evidence to guide strategic planning and resource allocation.
Appreciation
I am grateful to all my colleagues in the conferences and missions for the support we have given each other. I also pay tribute to all the local volunteer leaders who have given their time and energy to support families affected by disability.
The department has benefited from the professionalism, expertise and commitment of our administrative assistants, Abigail Wright-Stephenson and Kathleen Hanson.
Thanks be to God for the opportunity to be a co-worker with Him in the work of supporting families.