How the Church Can Love Them Too.

New book on Neurodivergence in a Church setting. I will publish each chapter here as it is written before publishing the whole book on-line.

Please note, this is the unpolished article – the book is still being edited.

Chapter 7. Jesus and the Margins, How Christ Treated the Misunderstood

If the Church is to understand how to love neurodivergent people, it must look closely at Jesus. His ministry was shaped by a consistent pattern. He drew near to those who were misunderstood, overlooked or pushed to the edges of religious life. He welcomed people whom society found difficult, unpredictable or uncomfortable. He saw value where others saw inconvenience. He offered dignity where others offered judgement. He created belonging where others created barriers.

Although Scripture does not describe neurodivergence in modern terms, it does show Jesus engaging with people whose behaviour, communication or social presence did not fit the expectations of their community. His responses reveal a way of seeing people that challenges the Church to rethink its assumptions.

1. Jesus Saw the Person, Not the Behaviour

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus meets people whose behaviour others found disruptive or alarming. Some shouted in public. Some acted impulsively. Some withdrew from society. Some expressed themselves in ways that frightened or confused those around them. In every case, Jesus looked beyond the behaviour and saw the person.

Where others saw a problem, Jesus saw a story. Where others saw disruption, Jesus saw distress. Where others saw defiance, Jesus saw dignity. He did not reduce people to their actions. He recognised the complexity of their lives and responded with compassion.

This way of seeing is essential for churches that want to love neurodivergent people. Behaviour is not the whole person. It is often a response to sensory overload, anxiety, misunderstanding or exhaustion. Jesus teaches us to look deeper.

2. Jesus Welcomed Those Who Did Not Fit Social Norms

Many of the people Jesus welcomed did not fit the social expectations of their time. Some spoke too loudly. Some approached Him at inappropriate moments. Some touched Him when they were not supposed to. Some interrupted conversations. Some broke unspoken rules.

Jesus never responded with irritation. He never demanded that people behave more acceptably before engaging with them. He welcomed them as they were. He allowed interruptions. He embraced unpredictability. He created space for people who did not fit the mould.

This challenges churches that rely heavily on social norms. Neurodivergent people may struggle with eye contact, timing, tone or social cues. They may communicate differently or behave in ways that others find unusual. Jesus shows that belonging is not dependent on social fluency.

3. Jesus Valued Authenticity Over Performance

Jesus consistently preferred honest, unfiltered expression to polished religious behaviour. He welcomed people who cried out, who asked blunt questions, who expressed strong emotions or who approached Him with raw honesty. He did not reward those who performed convincing spirituality. He honoured those who came to Him as they truly were.

Many neurodivergent people communicate with a refreshing directness. They may express emotion openly or ask questions that others hesitate to voice. They may struggle with social performance but excel in sincerity. Jesus valued this kind of authenticity. The Church should do the same.

4. Jesus Challenged Systems That Excluded

Jesus often confronted religious systems that created barriers for those who did not fit expected patterns. He healed on the Sabbath when rules prevented compassion. He welcomed children when the disciples tried to send them away. He defended those whom religious leaders judged harshly. He overturned assumptions about who was worthy of attention.

This is a vital lesson for churches. Sometimes exclusion happens not through malice, but through systems that were never designed with neurodivergent people in mind. Rigid routines, sensory intense environments, complex instructions or unspoken expectations can unintentionally push people away. Jesus calls the Church to examine its structures and remove barriers that prevent belonging.

5. Jesus Gave Time and Attention to Those Others Avoided

Jesus never hurried past people who were struggling. He stopped for the man calling out from the roadside. He noticed the woman who touched His cloak. He listened to those who were ignored. He gave time to those who were dismissed as unimportant or inconvenient.

Neurodivergent people often feel overlooked or misunderstood. They may struggle to express themselves quickly or clearly. They may need time to process or communicate. Jesus shows that giving time is an act of love. Slowing down is a form of honour.

6. Jesus Affirmed the Worth of Every Person

At the heart of Jesus’s ministry was a simple truth. Every person is loved by God. Every person has value. Every person is worthy of dignity. Jesus affirmed this through His words, His actions and His presence.

He touched those others avoided (Matthew 8: 1-4). He spoke to those others silenced (Mark 10: 46-52). He defended those others judged (John 8: 3-7). He restored those others rejected (Luke 17: 12-14) . He saw worth where others saw weakness.

For neurodivergent people who have been misunderstood, criticised or excluded, this affirmation is life giving. The Church must echo it clearly and consistently.

7. Jesus Created Communities of Belonging

Jesus did not simply welcome individuals. He formed a community where difference was normal. His disciples were varied in personality, temperament and ability. Some were impulsive. Some were anxious. Some were outspoken. Some were quiet. Some misunderstood Him repeatedly. Some struggled with change. Some reacted emotionally. Some withdrew under pressure.

Jesus did not demand uniformity. He shaped a community where people could grow, learn and belong together despite their differences. This is the model for the Church. Belonging is not about fitting a pattern. It is about being part of a family shaped by grace.

8. What This Means for the Church Today

If the Church is to follow Jesus, it must learn to welcome neurodivergent people with the same compassion, patience and honour that He showed to those on the margins. It must look beyond behaviour to see the person. It must value authenticity over performance. It must challenge systems that exclude. It must give time, attention and dignity. It must create communities where difference is not merely tolerated but celebrated.

Jesus did not wait for people to become easier to understand before He loved them. He loved them first. He loved them fully. He loved them without condition.

In the next chapter we will explore how Scripture helps us distinguish between difference and brokenness, and how the Church can avoid confusing neurological diversity with spiritual failure.

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© Richard J Kirk – 2026. If you want to know more, see: About Me…

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