In the current context in the United States the inclusion of persons with developmental disabilities, that is an intellectual or functional deficit identified prior to age twenty-one, is considered to be a special project. In the church this is often seen as something beyond the usual expectation of the church. This attitude is a development which comes late in Christian tradition. Inclusion would be expected in the Biblical era and in Christianity up to the time of modernism and the institutionalization of persons lacking many of the competencies required in modern living. This study analyzes the adaptability of pastors and churches to include persons with special needs in congregational life and ministry. Who is more disabled: the person with special needs or the pastor and congregation which are unable to cope with their needs? Phase One was the collection of data through an on-line survey of Arkansas Conferences United Methodist Churches to identify congregations which included persons with special needs along with the longevity and depth of their involvement. Phase two was phone interviews with pastors or key ministry leaders to confirm the on-line data and to collect additional information about the nature of the relationship of the person(s) identified and the congregation. Phase three involved site visits to representative congregations to visually confirm the information and to obtain an additional depth of understanding. Congregations with long term relationships and deeper inclusion have longer, more stable pastorates and ministry leadership; were very adaptable in meeting needs of families with special needs; and were typically unaware that there was anything unique about their congregation in this respect. They were simply worship with and in ministry with their friends, their relatives and their neighbors. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]