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
#DATC2024, Care and Support, Culture of Life, Disability Ministry, Event, Families, Hope, Key Ministry, podcast, Worship
Beth Golik
A Conversation with Marie Kuck from Nathaniel’s ...

Beth sits down with the always delightful Marie Kuck, who has a special invitation for our listeners for a behind-the-scenes tour of Make ‘m Smile in Orlando. 

A Conversation with Marie Kuck from Nathaniel’s Hope: Podcast Episode 096
#DATC2024, Care and Support, Disability Ministry, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Leadership, Resources, Sandra Peoples, Special Needs Ministry, Strategies
Sandra Peoples
Inclusive and Engaging Teaching Models: Podcast ...

In today's episode, Sandra chats with Tracy McElhattan, PhD about how to apply universal design for learning principles to our children's ministry classes so everyone is included and engaged!

Inclusive and Engaging Teaching Models: Podcast Epsiode 095 with Sandra Peoples Tracy McElhatten
Key Ministry
Casting All Your Cares

Mary Underwood writes about her experience in the Philippines, and trusting God with all of your cares.

Casting All Your Cares

depression

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Six Reasons Church Leaders are Struggling (And How You Can Help): Podcast Episode 021

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Six Reasons Church Leaders are Struggling (And How You Can Help): Podcast Episode 021

In this episode, Lamar Hardwick shares six reasons why church leaders, especially those in disability and mental health ministry, may be struggling and how your church family can help them.

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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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Why You Should Care About Special Needs

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Why You Should Care About Special Needs

It can be difficult to understand the complexities of raising a child with special needs if this calling is not part of your existence. You should care, because children with special needs are the least of the least of the least of these.

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Appreciating our pastors during Mental Illness Awareness Week

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Appreciating our pastors during Mental Illness Awareness Week

These findings tell us that we need to reverse course and consider how to attend to the mental health of pastors themselves.

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Who Wants a Pastor Who Takes Depression Meds?

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Who Wants a Pastor Who Takes Depression Meds?

I had an appointment with my doctor, to adjust to my medication for an ongoing health condition, and to get a prescription for depression. When the doctor asked why a pastor would want to take depression medication, I responded, Who wants a pastor who can’t care for the sheep because I’m just too depressed? An important post about the need for pastors to care for their mental health needs.

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Caring for our neighbors in a COVID-19 mental health crisis

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Caring for our neighbors in a COVID-19 mental health crisis

Here's why I'd recommend Psychological First Aid to any pastor or church leader interested in quickly building capacity to care for large numbers of hurting people during the pandemic.

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Five Stages of Spiritual Growth in Mental Illness

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Five Stages of Spiritual Growth in Mental Illness

I’d never wish the darkness of mental illness on anyone, but if it wasn’t for anorexia, bulimia, anxiety and depression, I don’t know if I would be a Christian today. There seems to be a pattern common to many Christ-followers who also live with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc. Here’s how I now characterize the five stages in my relationship with Christ, and the spiritual growth He worked through each stage to the next.

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Praying for Protection from Powers and Principalities

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Praying for Protection from Powers and Principalities

I’ve been in ministry long enough to know that the prayers and time spent seeking God determine the outcome of ministry and special events. Everyone working in the space of special needs or mental health ministry needs to stay prayed up, in God’s Word, for guidance, wisdom, and protection. Make no mistake, the work of all special needs ministry, including ministry to and with people whose disability is revealed in behavior, is very much intertwined with the battle over whose life holds value. Anyone working in this space is on the front line of the battle between darkness and light.

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It's the hidden disabilities that keep kids out of church

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It's the hidden disabilities that keep kids out of church

The study found that the children most likely to be excluded from church are those with autism spectrum disorders and common mental health conditions - anxiety, depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder and ADHD.