I was an unlikely candidate for ministry.

As a person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), I struggled to understand social cues, connect with people, adjust to changes in routine, and manage sensory input.

At church, my social awkwardness and sensory issues made it difficult to engage in conversations and form relationships. My lack of eye contact, along with unfiltered comments and jokes, led many people to conclude I was rude and unempathetic.

I had long felt a ministry call. Yet even after obtaining a master of divinity degree, I had trouble finding a place to serve.

Despite increasing autism awareness and accommodation across many U.S. institutions, church often felt like an unwelcoming and inhospitable place.

Sadly, many adults with ASD avoid church and religion altogether. In fact, a series of studies published during 2012 found lower levels of belief in God among autistic individuals compared with the general population.

I have a heart for reaching autistic people with the gospel and helping them find places of community in our churches.

My own journey toward belonging and serving was fraught with challenges.

During 2005, I experienced a dark season of depression after being fired from two ministry positions — both in the same week.

After fasting and praying for months, I sensed the Holy Spirit directing me to focus on improving my people skills.

I was aware of the problems. I had a habit of interrupting conversations and saying the wrong things at the wrong time.

My seeming aloofness gave the false impression that I didn’t care about people or their spiritual needs.

When speaking, I mispronounced certain letter and digraph sounds, which made me sound uneducated. My voice so lacked inflection that one congregant said I sounded like a robot while preaching.

The Lord brought a compassionate and gifted mentor into my life who helped me address these and other issues. After seven years of communication and relational development, I secured a paid ministry position. I also met and married a godly woman.

According to a 2017 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 5.4 million American adults with ASD. Some of them likely live in your community. You can take steps now to create a welcoming church environment for these individuals.

Through my personal experience and ministry to others on the spectrum, I have identified five keys to integrating autistic people into a congregation.

1. Connections

Everyone desires community and a sense of belonging.

Be intentional about befriending and taking an interest in autistic congregants.

Invite autistic newcomers to join you for coffee. Introduce them to others in the congregation. Help them find a relational small group or Bible study.

Each autistic congregant should have someone he or she feels comfortable with, who will provide assistance during times of anxiety, check in following a missed service, and regularly demonstrate Christ’s love.

Ensure autistic attendees can connect with teaching and preaching as well. Most people with ASD are visual learners. Using PowerPoint and illustrations can make it easier for them to follow along.

Avoid abstract religious phrases, such as “blood of the Lamb” or “ask Jesus into your heart.” When possible, make time for questions and answers during classes or following services.

2. Awareness

Educate your congregation concerning the challenges autistic adults experience with church events.

The goal is helping congregants understand autism and promoting inclusion.

Create awareness by having people with autism share their testimonies during a weekend or midweek service, or hosting an autism teaching event with speakers who are experts on the topic.

The lead pastor and ministry team members should also share information about autism, while teaching what the Bible says about inclusion.

3. Accommodation

Autistic people struggle to varying degrees with social and sensory issues and may need accommodations to help them participate in church activities.

Intentionally develop opportunities for autistic adults to serve and make decisions in leadership.

Take the time to learn about these challenges and provide a sensory friendly environment.

For many autistic people, sensory stimuli — whether sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch — can become overwhelming at times.

A co-worker recently told me about an incident involving his 15-year-old cousin, who has ASD.

This teenager was attending a Catholic funeral when the strong smell of burning incense led to sensory overload. That prompted a loud outburst from the teen, much to the dismay of those around him.

To avoid such problems, ask autistic congregants (or their caregivers) whether they have any sensory issues.

Create a sensory room with a calming environment for those with sensitivities. This room should have soft lighting, quiet sounds, comfortable seating, and tactile textures. Such a space allows autistic people to take a break from the service and self-regulate as needed.

Even simple gestures, such as offering earplugs for people who find the service too loud, can go a long way toward making autistic attendees feel more comfortable.

4. Mentoring

Develop a mentoring program to equip autistic adults for ministry.

The most important qualities of a mentor for individuals with ASD are patience, consistency, understanding and flexibility.

Provide training for mentors by inviting someone who works in the autism community to present a weekend workshop.

Mentors can assist autistic adults with social skill development, match them to ministry opportunities, and serve alongside them as they gain experience.

The mentors should meet at least twice monthly with mentees to provide friendship and support.

One of my mentors was television evangelist Jack Van Impe. While a student at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I served as the first intern for Van Impe’s ministry during the summer of 1999.

Not only did Van Impe help me develop ministry and social skills, but he also inspired me to memorize Scripture. I ultimately committed to memory 22 complete New Testament books.

That accomplishment boosted my confidence as I prepared to preach and teach.

5. Opportunities

Intentionally develop opportunities for autistic adults to serve and make decisions in leadership.

Avoid doing everything for them. This only decreases self-esteem, independence, and the inclination to gain new skills or take healthy risks.

Decision making cultivates growth and self-determination.

Leadership opportunities can include public reading of a sermon passage, compiling prayer requests, participating in a missions trip, or working with the youth group.

Ask autistic adults how they would like to serve in the church. They have God-given gifts, and we should allow them to use those abilities for advancing the Kingdom.

The apostle Paul said, “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Give autistic adults opportunities to glorify God through ministry.

Inclusive churches strive to offer a sense of belonging, accommodate needs, provide leadership opportunities, and equip the entire body of Christ for ministry.

Through simple gestures of love and acceptance, your church can display God’s grace in all its forms.

This article appears in the Spring 2025 issue of Influence magazine.