It was as simple as turning on the GPS and allowing it to guide us. In the same way, we should turn to the Word of God and let Him lead us on the right path toward righteousness and ultimate freedom.
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In March of 2008, a devastating outbreak of tornadoes destroyed parts of downtown Atlanta and the surrounding metro area. Sometime in the middle of the night I heard the sound of tiny feet racing across the wood flooring in our home. Our oldest son, who was around two years old at the time, opened our door and jumped into our bed. He looked me in the eyes and said, “Daddy there’s a tiger outside my window!”
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In 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NASB), Paul writes, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” This simple yet profound truth declares that God sees us and calls each of us to be His Body. Friends, that is where our eyes should be fixed upon. When we live out this calling, all of the other aspects of disability ministry have a solid foundation, not in the catchy vocabulary or thrilling new interventions (which all can be awesome) but a solid foundation built upon the overflow of His love for us!
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Loneliness kills. But the gospel saves. It rips us out of our isolation from God, restores us to Him, and places us into a family of the fellow redeemed. We will never be alone. And God wants to use us to make that true for millions of others too. So throw a banquet. Invite people to Jesus. Be a friend. Because the gospel has defeated loneliness now and forever.
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Originally published by Liberty University October 6, 2023.
“Through a partnership between the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity and the Family & Consumer Sciences Department, Liberty University has launched a new disability ministry minor in the residential program and a new cognate in the online program for students from all degree programs who are interested in learning how to minister to disabled individuals in their workplaces, churches, and communities….”
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As they grow from babies to children to teens to adults, many seasons come and go. A lot of us progress from endlessly pulling out all of the developmental stops to questioning what life skills will help my child to thrive the best as an adult...
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I remember the first time we took my daughter to church after she became disabled. She was a young adult and regularly attended another church in a different city, but our congregation was well aware of the situation and had been praying for our daughter’s recovery. Our friends did their best to pretend everything was normal—although nothing could’ve been further from the truth. When they met her, instead of inquiring about her well-being, they simply said, “We’ve been praying for you.”
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It was hot, sticky, and abundantly joyful at the annual “Everyone Belongs” Camp, July 28-30 at Skycroft Conference Center. The camp, sponsored by the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D), Cresthill Church, The Banquet Network, and The Gathering Place Church, Bowie, is specially designed for individuals impacted by disabilities. Throughout the weekend campers had multiple worship sessions, games, special outdoor activities, arts and crafts, dancing, a campfire, and pool time. This year’s camp was the biggest yet, with over 100 participants, including staff, volunteers, buddies, and guests. Fifteen Maryland/Delaware churches, along with several others, provided volunteers…
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If a gingerbread house can be accessible, why can’t the Church? Learn how the church can take practical steps towards disability inclusion and how The Banquet Network can help!
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I have spent so much of my time living with a disability trying to avoid “being a burden” to others. I have answered, “I’m fine” when my soul was screaming, “I’m not sure I can make it another moment;” I have tried to manage my own accessibility concerns instead of inconveniencing others; and I have been ashamed when I haven’t been able to achieve that all-important 21st century ideal of independence.
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Are we, the Church, viewing people who have disabilities as image bearers to our Creator? Chris Hulshof writes about three common errors we see in the Church when ministering to individuals and families who have disabilities. In this blog, you’ll learn about the dangers to these conducts and how you can prevent them from taking place in the Church today.
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I often think about my challenges and ask the Lord to reveal what He wants to teach me through the circumstances. Some days are easier than others, especially in seeing what He wants me to learn and apply to my life. Then there are other times when the hurt seems unbearable. To think that something good could come out of the situation is farthest from my heart’s desire…
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“It is no different today. The disability-effective pastor or church leader is one who intentionally engages the disabled by extending to them a welcome of compassion and inclusion. This welcome, when extended and received, has the potential to cause much celebration in worship as those who are disabled become part of the full body-life of the church.”
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As they grow from babies to children to teens to adults, many seasons come and go. A lot of us progress from endlessly pulling out all of the developmental stops to questioning what life skills will help my child to thrive the best as an adult...
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Just like one part of our physical body can significantly affect another, the same is true in our spiritual body, the Church. That’s why, when we have a disability ministry, we need to think of how the church can holistically minister to families with disabilities.
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