Embracing Inclusive Spiritual Development
Spiritual development is essential for believers with disabilities, requiring intentional discipleship processes that adapt strategies while maintaining the same goal of becoming more Christ-like.
• Spiritual development takes place as believers become more like Jesus through intentional discipleship
• Building a disability ministry starts with creating physical accessibility (bathrooms, doors, sensory resources)
• Mentorship and friendship form the foundation of spiritual development through intentional relationships
• Learning opportunities should be adapted with repetitive experiences, audio resources, and sensory engagement
• Every person with a disability should be equipped to serve according to their spiritual gifts
• Serving should not come from pity but from recognizing each person's God-given purpose
Embracing Biblical Inclusion: Empowering People of all abilities
Examining the biblical framework for disability ministry reveals that God expects meaningful inclusion and empowerment of all believers in the church community regardless of ability. Scripture commands us to recognize that every person is created in God's image with gifts to contribute to the body of Christ.
• 25% of Americans have disabilities, yet 80% aren't in our churches
• The Bible teaches that people with disabilities are part of the body of Christ with purpose and value
• Every believer belongs to the body of Christ with gifts to use in ministry
• People with disabilities are described as "indispensable" in 1 Corinthians 12
• Scripture commands treating others with love, kindness and dignity
• Accessibility in church should be physical, social and spiritual
• Churches should empower people with disabilities to serve, not just be served
• Respecting dignity means addressing people directly, not talking over them
• Supporting people with disabilities fulfills biblical commands to "carry each other's burdens"
• Both people with and without disabilities have unique opportunities to witness about Christ
Building Bridges: Enhancing Communication
Communication barriers often prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in church, despite making up 25% of the population. We must transform our perceptions and practices to ensure the gospel is accessible to everyone through effective, respectful communication.
• Communication requires more from the listener than the speaker
• Poor speaking can be overcome by good listening but inattentive listeners miss even great speakers
• People with disabilities face barriers in education, healthcare, employment and churches
• Communication barriers often lead to incorrect assumptions about intelligence
• Assuming competence is critical when interacting with people with different communication methods
• Being patient and willing to slow down enables meaningful two-way communication
• Practical tools like visual schedules, communication boards and basic ASL training make church more accessible
• Clear, direct communication with the individual (not their companions) shows respect
• Easy-to-implement communication tools benefit everyone in church settings
Exploring Disabilities and Faith: Insights and Reflections
Understanding the complexities of disability within faith communities requires honest conversation and a rejection of pity. Exploring tough questions, like the presence of disabilities in heaven, prompts us to consider how we honor the worth and identity of those we serve.
• The importance of hard conversations in faith contexts
• Compassion as a critical element in disability ministry
• Setting appropriate expectations for individuals with disabilities
• In-depth discussion on whether disabilities will exist in heaven
• Emphasizing identity beyond physical limitations and conditions
• The need for continued dialogue and education in faith communities
Understanding Love Languages in Families with Special Needs
nderstanding and adapting to unique love languages fosters emotional security, enhancing connection and empathy.
• Exploring love languages and their relevance to families with disabilities
• The importance of recognizing personal love language preferences
• Emotional needs of children with disabilities and love expression
• Practical examples of demonstrating love through shared activities
• Encouragement for caregivers to adapt their expressions of love
• Key takeaways for building more inclusive and loving relationships
Fostering Inclusion for Children and Teens: A Path to Empathy and Understanding
Explore strategies for fostering empathy and compassion within church communities while highlighting the need for a collective effort to create inclusive spaces for all.
• Importance of teaching inclusion to kids and teens
• Initiatives that promote disability awareness
• Incorporating the gospel into conversations about abilities
• Annual training opportunities for communities in Ohio
• Engaging kids to understand their peers’ experiences
• Viewing individuals through the lens of God's love
• Cultivating advocates against bullying and isolation
• Building a culture of understanding and empathy
• The role of faith communities in promoting inclusion
Faith and Autism
Conversations on brokenness, parenting, masking, and personal identity illustrate the journey toward self-acceptance while fostering compassion in our communities.
• The idea of autism as more than just a label
• Challenging the notion of brokenness in relation to disabilities
• The impact of masking on individuals with autism
• Importance of recognizing and nurturing personal identity in parenting
• Understanding differing perspectives through literature and personal stories
• The balance between self-acceptance and social norms
• Christian worldview on purpose and identity in the context of disabilities
• Encouragement to explore diverse perspectives for deeper understanding
A Church for all Attention spans
Embrace diversity in worship with innovative strategies for attention challenges. Explore how busy boxes and fidget tools can create a meaningful church experience for all abilities!
Understanding and Embracing Challenging Behaviors
Learn how to create inclusive church environments by understanding sensory, escape, and attention-seeking behaviors.
Welcoming Spaces for Every Family's Spiritual Journey
Tired of Sunday morning chaos? Learn how to navigate the hurdles of attending church with a family, especially with disabilities.
Seeing People with Disabilities with God’s Eyes
See people beyond the stereotypes of today. See them with God’s eyes.
Basic Etiquette for those with Hearing Impairments
Basic Etiquette for those Hearing Impairments
Sensory bags
Sensory bags are an excellent tool for helping individuals engage with their senses in a calm and controlled manner.
Transformative strategies for supporting believers with slow processing speeds.
Transformative strategies for supporting believers with differing processing speeds.
The communication of Behavior
How can churches create welcoming environments for all abilities? Explore innovative behavior strategies and spiritual growth.
Harnessing Empathy and Positive Language for Effective Ministry
Build empathetic relationships and create supportive environments that reflect the love of Jesus. Listen
About the Blog
The world has gone from an isolating perspective of people with disabilities to a celebration of disabilities. In years past, it is unlikely to have regular interaction with someone with a disability. Today, statistics show that almost 1 in 5 people are impacted by disability. Over 60 million Americans have a disability. Yet, over 80% of those people do not attend church.
Thankfully, we’ve come so far in our treatment of people with disabilities, but we’ve not fully arrived. In the almost 10 years I have been in disability ministry, the statistics changed from 90% to a little over 80% of people with disabilities not attending church. The world has taken significant, not perfect, but significant steps, like television shows, campaigns, and inclusion in our schools and sports.
The world looks like it’s doing a better job, and to some degree it is, but we’re nowhere near where we need to be. Especially the church. The over 80% of people with disabilities not attending church is unacceptable! It’s time for our churches to make big strides. The church must become the most welcoming, valuing, and inclusive place for individuals with disabilities and their families.
The future is bright because pastors, leaders, churches, and volunteers are stepping out and standing up to make sure all of the parts of the body of Christ are included in His church. Not enough, not perfectly, but we are seeing a shift, and the pastors and leaders recognize the need.
God created his people for fellowship. He created us to know Him and love Him through a relationship with Him. Beyond the ultimate goal of being in a relationship with God, the scriptures are endless regarding the benefits, promises, and commands of fellowshipping with one another. No one was meant to live alone. We were meant for community. So let’s keep the conversation going so that we can work together towards the goal of a fully accessible church. Physically accessible, socially accessible, and spiritually accessible. So that every person can have the opportunity to know Christ, grow in Him, and serve Him with the gifts He has given.
Need Resources?
Everyone wants a how-to, step-by-step instruction booklet. Parents want it for raising children. A handbook on teenagers would be fantastic! A written job description gives direction to a new employee. However, the fix of a quick read from the endless books, pamphlets, or descriptions that exist to inform us on the how-to of any topic will never outdo the entirety of the Bible. The scriptures should always be your first resource. But after that, I have some resources for you! Recently, I have written a book about my personal experience as a parent, titled “The Indispensable Kid” as well as a ministry how-to book, titled “Gospel Accessibility and Indispensable People: Disability Ministry, Foundations, Relationships, Programs, Strategies, and Co-laboring in Christ.” Click the link to order yours today!