Panelists: Bill Hickling, Kim Murphy, and Ellen Bryant
Declining church attendance isn't just a statistic—it's a wake-up call. When Pastor Stephen challenged the Guilford Park Presbyterian congregation to address their shrinking, aging membership, they turned to research that revealed something remarkable: churches that thrive aren't just surviving, they're deliberately creating communities where all generations feel valued and empowered.
The Fuller Institute's "Growing Young" study identified congregations that defy nationwide trends by distributing leadership broadly, practicing genuine empathy toward young people, taking Jesus's message seriously in neighborhood outreach, and fostering authentic intergenerational relationships. But creating such communities requires rethinking who belongs in worship and how they experience it.
Enter neurodiversity—the recognition that human brains process and experience the world in wonderfully varied ways. For neurodivergent worshippers (those with autism, ADHD, or other neurological differences), traditional church services can feel overwhelming. Imagine your personal "bubble" shrinking as you enter crowded spaces with echoing acoustics, bright lights, and unspoken social expectations. What looks like fidgeting, wandering, or avoidance isn't disruptive behavior—it's an attempt to self-regulate in an overwhelming environment.
The panel shares powerful personal stories about navigating church as neurodivergent individuals or parents, offering practical suggestions for creating truly inclusive worship: designating quiet spaces, providing fidget tools, using visual cues for transitions, and most importantly, shifting our expectations. Growing churches don't ask neurodivergent members to conform to traditional worship styles—they adapt to welcome different ways of connecting with God.
As one panelist poignantly notes: "Neurodivergent children weren't missing from churches in previous generations—their entire families simply stayed home because worship was too difficult." By embracing neurodiversity, Guilford Park isn't just accommodating differences; they're recovering the full, vibrant body of Christ and creating worship where everyone can authentically encounter God's love.
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