Adult Advocates, Autism, Advocacy, Care and Support, Church Support, Disability Ministry, Families, Hope, Key Ministry, Parents, Resources, Special Needs Ministry, Spiritual Development
Shannon Blosser
How the Church Struggles to Listen

“I shared my family’s hurt and pain of feeling excluded and unaccepted by the very church that I, as its pastor, am called to love and serve. I shared offensive words shared with me regarding my autistic son’s needs. I shared how these actions created a wall between our family and the church. We felt unwelcome.” Shannon Blosser shares about church hurt, and where the church can grow.

How the Church Struggles to Listen
#DATC2024, Announcements, Care and Support, Church Support, Event, Hope, Key Ministry, podcast, Resources, Sandra Peoples, Special Needs Ministry
Sandra Peoples
Disability & the Church 2024 Recap: Podcast ...

Beth Golik and Sandra Peoples give a Disability & the Church 2024 Conference Recap that happened this past week in Orlando, FL.

Disability & the Church 2024 Recap: Podcast Episode 099
#DATC2024, Autism, Book Reviews, Care and Support, Church Support, Culture of Life, Disability Ministry, Hidden Disabilities, Hope, Spiritual Development
Stephen Grcevich MD
Book Club Chat with Dr. Steve Grcevich & ...

Dr. Steve Grcevich sits down and interviews Dr. Lamar Hardwick on his new book How Ableism Fuels Racism. This is Part 1 of a 3-part series! Dr. Lamar Hardwick will be speaking at Disability & the Church 2024 Conference in Orlando, FL May 1-3. Go to www.keyministry.org/datc2024 to register now!

Book Club Chat with Dr. Steve Grcevich & Lamar Hardwick: Podcast Episode 098
Care and Support, Church Support, Mental Health, Mental Health Ministry, podcast, #DATC2024, Advocacy, Catherine Boyle, Hidden Disabilities, Resources
Catherine Boyle
Beyond the Clinical Hour: An Interview with Dr. ...

Recently, Catherine had a conversation with Dr. Jim and Heather Sells, authors of the new book “Beyond the Clinical Hour: How Counselors Can Partner with the Church to Address the Mental Health Crisis.” Jim, Heather and their co-author Dr. Amy Trout offer a valuable resource to both mental health professionals and ministry leaders as a way to meet the heartfelt mental health needs impacting both churches and our culture. Take a listen to this thought-provoking conversation.

Beyond the Clinical Hour: An Interview with Dr. Jim and Heather Sells: Podcast Episode 097
#DATC2024, Care and Support, Church Support, Disability Ministry, Hidden Disabilities, Hope, Key Ministry, Special Needs Ministry
Joanna French
Internalized Ableism

“I am disabled. For years that was so hard to admit. I couldn’t mention out loud my neurodivergence. I whispered about my post-traumatic stress disorder, insisting ‘I’m better now.’ I was a champion for the disabled who didn’t want to talk about her own disabilities. It was disingenuous, but I didn’t know how to come to terms with the fact that I was disabled. I was still scared that admitting my disability publicly would convince people I was not able to do anything.” Joanna French writes on her experience with disability.

Internalized Ableism

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How the Annual Budgeting Process Can Grow Your Disability Inclusion Ministry

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How the Annual Budgeting Process Can Grow Your Disability Inclusion Ministry

Our annual budgets reflect what we value, whether a family or ministry. Our values are also reflected in our budgeting methodology. Here are some approaches that can help your church build community and foster disability inclusion.

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The Case for an Impacted Pastor: Four Reasons Why You Need Church Leaders with Disabilities

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The Case for an Impacted Pastor: Four Reasons Why You Need Church Leaders with Disabilities

So, you don’t know me, but I’m a pastor. God called me to ministry about five years ago. Like most of us, I never would’ve seen it coming. There are a dozen reasons why nobody would want to use me and those are all the reasons why God chose me.

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Unapologetic Worship, Boundless Joy, and Unhindered Love

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Unapologetic Worship, Boundless Joy, and Unhindered Love

The special needs ministry at our church has been operating for four years. Each of the fantastic friends in this ministry have given me, and our church family, precious gifts. Here are some insights and beauty from three of my fantastic friends that have changed me at a fundamental level.

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Labels: Helpful or Not?

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Labels: Helpful or Not?

Labels can define us. Many times we attribute value to people according to what they do. We see people through our perceived definition of the label. They cease to become an individual person and become confined by the label. But churches need to be careful about labelling people, to ensure that we don’t just see the person with a disability through the eyes of the label.

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A Conversation About The Cost Of Special Needs Ministry

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A Conversation About The Cost Of Special Needs Ministry

Creating a church that is truly inclusive will come with a cost. Wanting a return on investment is not inherently wrong, but when it comes to the fear of being able to finance a special needs ministry, the most important thing to focus on is where the repayment will come from.

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Four Essentials for a World-Changing Church

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Four Essentials for a World-Changing Church

If the church is to be Christ-like and world-shaping, we need to be leaders and pioneers in loving all of God’s people, not lagging far behind our schools and social service organizations in how we respond to the needs around us.