Disability is often at odds with our plans. It often derails our will being done, and sometimes it seems like it is derailing God’s will being done, too. But I’m encouraged by reflecting on Paul and the Galatians. Sometimes the inconveniences of disability have holy consequences that echo throughout church history in magnificent ways.
Read MoreThe cost of starting to include people with disabilities is often not primarily monetary. The cost of including people with disabilities is primarily love.
Read MoreChristians have been challenged since the early days not only how to reach people with disabilities in gospel efforts but more recently how to enable them to be part of local ministry and missions themselves.
Read MoreNot one person in this culture (or most cultures) will embrace that idea of constant rejoicing in all circumstances — except those who have been passionately swept up by the love of God, understand what they have received in the forgiveness of sins, and live with an expectation of an eternity with Jesus.
Read MoreThis book by John MacArthur and the pastors and missionaries of Grace Community Church lays out a practical theology of evangelism and includes a helpful chapter specifically on witnessing to those with special needs.
Read More“In order to take the next steps, there are things that we’re going to have to throw off—much like Bartimaeus had to throw off his cloak to freely run to Jesus.
What is your cloak? What is the thing you need to throw aside in order to take your next step in starting a disability ministry?
Read MoreNick Vujicic came to teach at one of our partner churches. Here are some notes from his session.
Read MoreGod’s grace covers not only our sins, but our weaknesses that may give rise to neglecting certain people in our churches. But we cannot fully glorify our great God if we continue to marginalize those who are the weakest and most needy among us.
Read MoreAs a biblical counselor and pastor, Dr. John Kwasny, unpacks a thorough and necessary picture of the reality of suffering and how the Church is called to care for it’s people.
Read MoreJesus removed a barrier and helped someone ignored to be heard. Jesus challenged societal and religious (gasp!) practices and expectations that kept people like this man in poverty and on the outside. Jesus helped a man who was blind to take a step toward community.
Read MoreHere is where the church can have a profound impact on a family! Paying attention to small things that are wearing away at a family experiencing disability can help maintain their foundation and reduce the need for a bigger intervention down the road.
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Disability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing in the Gospels and the Church by Bethany McKinney Fox was an interesting read with a broad range of biblical interpretations of the purpose of Jesus’ healing ministry and how the Church should respond today.
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I stood at the front of a chapel a few weeks ago, the spring Baltimore sunshine cutting through stained glass. Facing me, thirty-one individuals stood. Nearly one third of the room. These thirty-one people were standing to represent the 31.9% of non-institutionalized adults with disabilities in the US who live in households under the poverty line.
Read MoreHere are eight things lead pastors can do to foster a disability effective church.
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One of our friends recently got a DNA test to track his genealogy and family history. It’s amazing to me that in a single strand of hair or a tiny glob of spit, an entire story can be told. DNA, whether it’s from your skin cells or your saliva, contains everything that makes you you. Churches have DNA too: they have an identity that congregation members and leadership bear. Your church might be known for it’s amazing family Christmas pageant, your friendly—or maybe over-friendly—greeters, or your slick graphic design. But what would it look like for a church to be built with inclusion in mind?
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