One of the things I have learned from working at a children's therapeutic group home, and through having a son with sensory processing issues, is how numb adults have become to sensory issues. I contend that most of what the adults in charge of setting up a worshipping and learning community of faith is done without a thought as to the sensory impact they are having on those that come to be a part of their community! I know, because I was one of those leaders for many years.
I can remember the judgmental attitude I had when I heard that someone simply had to leave church because of the strong perfume another person was wearing. I was able to be judgmental and dismissive for two reasons: 1) I did not have the same sensitivity, and 2) the person raising the issue was a visitor... not one of "us." Well, my attitude changed considerably when a good friend of mine told me she had the very same issue. She was "one of us" but was vulnerable enough with me to share how many times she had difficulty worshipping with us because of the strong aromas of other worshippers-male and female-who could not understand why she was making a big deal about their perfume or cologne.
I was wrong to be so dismissive and judgmental. But I have learned from these experiences, and now I see the potential sensory issues in almost everything I do as a ministry leader and see as an active member of a worshipping community. One more example, and then I have a homework assignment for you...
This example is from a recent ministry experience, where I had to ask a guest group to forgo a certain lesson in the curriculum we were going to use for our "day camp." On the day that was meant to teach kids about Jesus loving us enough to die for our sins, the curriculum called for any number of things that were going to be sensory triggers for the kids (and adults!) I work with, and the beautiful story of God's love for us in Jesus Christ was going to be washed out in the sensory "bombs" that were going to be exploding during the teaching time. What were some of the specific issues, you ask? Well, here's a few:
First, the curriculum called for the setting to be dark, lit by a few battery powered candles. It asked for crowd noise to be playing in the background, including at one point people yelling, "crucify him!" over and over. Second, kids were asked to use their imaginations to think about Jesus' tortuous death, pounding their fists into their hands while imagining Jesus' hands being pierced with nails. Finally, the kids were told that all this was necessary because they were sinners, and a price had to be paid for that sin so they could be forgiven. Because, after all, God loved them.
Now... watch the video above of the little boy explaining to you some of the difficulties he has with sensory integration. Then, remember that even for children (and adults) who don't have sensory processing disorders, much of what we absorb and learn is through our senses that we are not immediately aware of, or at least not on the level in which they profoundly impact us. As adults we learn to filter out a lot of superfluous "noise" (not just auditory input, mind you, but the other senses too) in our surroundings in order to focus on what we know is going to be the primary medium of transferring information... at church, it will likely be our sense of vision and hearing that get us through. The children in our midst, as well as adults like my friend who opened my eyes to how smell was so greatly affecting her, cannot simply choose to ignore that which we have learned over YEARS to filter out.
Now, here is your homework...
Take a sheet of paper to church with you next time you gather for worship. With the young man in the video in mind, jot down what your seven senses are taking in around you. What, do you feel, is purposeful... what senses have been engaged as a way to draw people into worship? What, perhaps is unintentional? What is distracting or might draw people away from the purpose for your gathering?
I'd be curious to know what you find out and how it might change your perceptions of those who come to visit and are seeking a community to be a part of.
cross posted at www.fullhousewithaces.com (c) Chaplain Chris Haughee
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