Belonging, Like Jazz

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As part of his keynote address Tom played the keyboard and encouraged audience participation to demonstrate some of the blues techniques he used as metaphor. This image shows a piano keyboard lit with blue light.

Like Jazz musicians, church leaders need to become masterful at holding tension and refrain from resolving it prematurely. Rather than encouraging others to strictly preach victory in Jesus, perhaps we need to make space for people to find their own voices and speak their hurts or cry out to God.  … Read More →

Unshaken Kingdom: Disruption, Transformation, and the Accessible Church

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Chantal is waving a ribbon attached to a stick. She is wearing a bright blue tank top and an orange patterned skirt. She is sitting in her orange wheelchair and smiling at the camera.

The therapeutic response to chronic illness or disability is usually rest and pacing. However we live in a society where that is increasingly discouraged, if not impossible. Most people’s temptation is to change their circumstances or to find solutions quickly, rather than trust that God will provide what is needed. Instead, Mary conveys a sense of peace from the beginning.  It is this sense of peace which comes from God, and trusting in God, that I think empowered Mary and can also empower us to respond to whatever we face thoughtfully and prayerfully. … Read More →

Princeton Disability and Youth Ministry Conference: Reflections

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Adolescence is a challenging time for many young people, and with today’s complexities – in part due to rapid technological advancement and 24/7 connectivity – it has only become an increasingly tricky season of life to navigate. Add to this the potential social stigma, barriers, and support needs that come with visible and invisible disabilities and mental health challenges, and it is no wonder that youth pastors and practitioners are hungry for relevant training and resources in this area. … Read More →