…we meet countless parents and family members who are battle-worn from advocating for equality and support for their children with disabilities. These parents can be fierce, because they need to be! They are forced to advocate/argue/fight against systems and societal forces that actively discriminate against their children. Too often, they face these same barriers and oppressive attitudes in churches, synagogues, and faith communities that claim to care for all God’s children. … Read More →
Ultimately, though, the way forward […] will be navigated in relationship with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities themselves. As Whole Community makes clear, it is people with lived experience who are experts on the best way forward. “The most powerful and effective act that people without disabilities can take is to yield to the voice of people with disabilities” … Read More →
Whether you are new to exploring what accessibility might look like in a church context or have been invested in advocacy and inclusion efforts for years, I highly recommend picking up and reading a copy of Dr. Lamar Hardwick’s book, Disability and the Church. This book is somewhat unique in the disability ministry space because … Read More →
“For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. (John 9:39-41 NIV) … Read More →
This webinar explores how the church as the body of Christ can support families who are raising children with disabilities and share their joy and suffering. Two models of support ministry will be presented, followed by a brief panel discussion and time for questions. … Read More →
In this third video from David Fitch, he talks about the different ways of engaging with people in three ‘circles’ of interaction with one’s faith community, one’s home or small group, and in one’s neighbourhood or community. Practicing faithful presence with one another means being present in all three circles. … Read More →
“People with various disabilities are those who are immensely gifted, obviously, to see things and do things that maybe I can’t see. But the bottom line is that I am able to see God’s presence at work in them… and then they’re able to engage me and a space is opened up, a very unique space. And this is the way that God has created the world, for us to be in these social spaces of transformation.” … Read More →
Disability and the Way of Jesus is a must-read for anyone who has wrestled with questions around the way God looks to heal people and the world. In particular, for Christians who are looking for an account of healing that takes the Bible seriously but also listens closely to the lives and experiences of people who experience disability. … Read More →
Shelly Christensen, MA, is a leader in the growing faith community disability inclusion movement, an international speaker, and consultant to many faith congregations and organizations. She recently wrote From Longing to Belonging-A Practical Guide to Including People with Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions in Your Faith Community as a resource for faith communities. I had … Read More →
It’s that time of the year again! For some, the Christmas season is a time of joy, peace, and celebration. For others, it’s a time of managing expectations, sensory overload, and hectic schedules. For most of us, it’s a mix of all of the above! Today on the blog we feature some helpful resources for churches and families navigating the holidays. … Read More →