Monthly Archives: March 2012

Downloads and Free Registration for the Children’s Ministry Websummit

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Dr. G

Just a reminder…my video presentation on our current blog series, Square Pegs and Round Holes…Helping Kids With Asperger’s Disorder and Social Disabilities Grow Spiritually, will be available online from April 2-6 as part of the 2012 Children’s Ministry Websummit.
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Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Top Posts From Q1 2012

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Dr. G

I’m grateful for the interest shown in all three of our “official” Key Ministry blogs. Along with Church4EveryChild, Harmony Hensley’s blog-A Reckless Pursuit and Katie Wetherbee’s blog-Diving For Pearls have been featured on the Wordpress Blogs of the Day feature. Katie’s blog alone has had over 200,000 page views in the first quarter of 2012! Continue reading →

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More Stuff You Should Know About Kids With Asperger’s Disorder

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Dr. G

This past Tuesday, we reviewed the diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s Disorder and emphasized the notion that the unique pattern of strengths and weaknesses seen in kids with the disorder complicates efforts to serve them programmatically. We’ll continue our discussion today by examining three additional characteristics of many kids with Asperger’s that often complicate their ability to participate in activities at church.
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Square Pegs and Round Holes…Understanding Kids with Asperger’s Disorder

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Dr. G

As we begin our discussion of how churches can more effectively connect with, welcome and support kids with Asperger’s Disorder as they mature spiritually, a good place to begin is to establish a common understand-ing of the condition. Continue reading →

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Square Pegs and Round Holes…Helping Kids With Asperger’s Disorder and Social Disabilities Grow Spiritually

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Dr. G

Today we’re launching a series to help support churches seeking to minister more effectively to families of kids with Asperger’s Disorder and other social disabilities. The blog series will kick off five weeks of special content in honor of Autism Awareness Month. This series will also accompany a video presentation I’ll be offering on the topic as part of the 2012 Children’s Ministry Websummit, available online, everywhere, free of charge (registration required), from April 2-6. Continue reading →

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New resource on including kids with aggressive behavior at church

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Dr. G

Here’s a one-stop resource tying together the blog series from last fall, Beyond Zero Tolerance…When Kids Become Aggressive at Church. In addition to an edited version of the entire series in a single article, I included a SlideShare presentation of the lecture I was invited to present on the topic at last Fall’s Bioethics Conference and Through the Roof Summit at Cedarville University.
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New Resource Page on Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Dr. G

We now have a new resource page on the blog for church staff, volunteers and parents looking for information about spiritual development and strategies for inclusion at church for kids with bipolar disorder.
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Helping Kids With Asperger’s Disorder Grow Spiritually…2012 Children’s Ministry Websummit

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Dr. G

In this presentation, I’ll review the challenges to church attendance and participation resulting from Asperger’s Disorder, discuss how family ministry approaches can help spur spiritual growth in kids with social disabilities and share tips for children’s pastors, church staff and volunteers for successfully including kids who struggle socially in your ministry environments. Continue reading →

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Resources for Churches on Mental Illness

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Dr. G

Barb invited me to share some resources that might be of help to church staff, pastors and volunteers who desire to minister more effectively to families impacted by mental illness. Here are five organizations worth checking out… Continue reading →

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Rhett Smith…Final Thoughts

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Dr. G

In the conclusion of our interview with Rhett, he discusses the possible role of electronic ministry in serving those who don’t currently attend church as a result of anxiety, and shares his most important takeaway point for church leaders ministering to children and adults with anxiety. Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Inclusion, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments