This week, we’re giving readers a guided tour of the free resources available to church staff and volunteers through the new Key Ministry website. Today, we’ll look at the Key Ring Binder…our roadmap for pastors, church staff and families seeking to launch inclusive ministry to kids with disabilities, their parents and siblings.

Note: To access the resources we’ll be discussing today, click on the “Resources” box in the toolbar at the top of the home page of our new website. You’ll be prompted to register for the site and establish a user name and password that will provide you access to every resource on the site.

Our Key Ring Binder is the modern-day descendent of the original Key Ministry toolkit on CD-ROM. The Binder is intended to be a comprehensive resource to walk individuals and churches through a step-by-step process in establishing and implementing inclusive ministry for kids with disabilities and their families. This version of the Binder has 39 downloadable .pdf files covering a wide range of topics churches confront in the course of serving kids with disabilities.

Some of the subjects covered in the Binder include…

• A readiness assessment for churches considering special needs ministry
• An article from Rev. Hu Auburn (one of our founding Board members) on the Biblical foundation for disability ministry
• Sample mission and vision statements for inclusive ministries
• Strategies for starting a disability ministry
• Strategies for increasing congregational awareness of the needs of families impacted by disabilities
• Establishing a buddy system
• Finding volunteers
• Policies and procedures
• Strategies for designing ministry environments
• Handouts on “People-First Language” for church staff and volunteers
• Diagnosis-specific handouts for staff, volunteers
• Resource links for additional information
• Strategies for classroom teachers serving kids with disabilities
• A sample privacy covenant for staff and volunteers

The Key Ring Binder is the culmination of many hours of work, and many years of practical ministry experience that Katie Wetherbee, our Director of Training, and Harmony Hensley, our Director of Ministry Advancement, brought to the project. Better yet, Katie and Harmony, as well as Rebecca Hamilton, our Director of Ministry Operations, are no further away than an e-mail or a phone call if you or your church need to tap their expertise. Hit the “Contact Us” box on the Toolbar at the top of the page and give us a call!

Friday: We’ll look at “Party With a Purpose,” a complete guide for churches seeking to develop outwardly-focused inclusion events. This resource provides step-by-step instructions for hosting special events, including a Special Needs Prom or Luau. We’ll also share our Special Events toolbox, including resources for doing an inclusive Vacation Bible School, hosting neighborhood parties and doing inclusion ministry outside the walls of the church.