Prelude to the Internship

Reprint of The Living Water, March 2009. The Newsletter of Lake Murray Baptist Church.

From Pastor Al Lawson:

In 1982, while in the midst of my seminary education, Kristin was born. Kristin slept all the time, which I thought was wonderful, given the fact that I was working two part-time jobs and going to seminary full-time. But Elaine knew, as mothers do, that something was wrong. After two years of chasing “medical rabbits”, we were told that Kristin was developmentally delayed. (Actually we were told that Kristin had mental retardation, a perfectly legitimate medical term, but today socially unacceptable)

Thus we began a life journey that we did not plan to make. As hopes and dreams dissipated, the blue print for raising this child could not be found. What we did find were occasions when our own faith experiences were challenged, stretched, and reorganized. We found opportunities to minister to a remnant of God’s creation that was not even in our thoughts. And over these 27 years, a passion for special education has developed. Each church that I have served as a full-time staff member has either begun or grew a special education ministry. Elaine and I have had the privilege to write numerous articles and Sunday School materials for LifeWay Christian Resources. (The Spring 2009 Access materials is my latest publication.)

In 2005, before I came to Lake Murray Baptist, I began a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Over the last four years I have been chipping away at the course requirements. One class remains. The Personnel Committee and Pastoral Leadership have approved a Part-Time Sabbatical for me to complete a required internship in an elementary school in order to finish my Masters Degree.

During these 10 weeks, I expect to gain valuable insight into the daily world of the elementary children we seek to minister to each week. In many ways I expect these days to be a refresher course in the social and educational world of children. I expect to observe trends and behaviors that will enhance our ministry to children in the years ahead. In addition, I expect to gain new insights into the special needs world, which will help us minister to these families more effectively. During these 10 weeks, though you will see me a little less around the office during the day, I will still be available, and present on Sundays and Wednesday nights.

All of this to say “Thank You”. Thank you to a church that is willing to accept persons with special needs into church life. Thank you to a church that provides educational space and resources to develop a special education ministry. Thank you to a church that elects a Personnel Committee that values the education and development of their staff. Thank you to the Personnel Committee for approving this Part-Time Sabbatical experience. Thank you to my Pastor and staff for your support and encouragement.

I look forward to sharing my experiences with you and the leadership of our Children’s Ministry.

For the Children,

Al Lawson
Associate Pastor for Children