Monthly Archives: March 2013

Autism Awareness Month…New blog series and more!

I’ll be doing a miniseries on The Evidence for Complimentary and Alternative Treatments for Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Key Ministry, Resources, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Identifying with Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane

I suspect…like Peter…that I’ve been reacting to events unfolding before me from a spirit of mixed motives and a lack of understanding of how to respond to the progression of God’s plans with an equal measure of grace and truth. Continue reading

Posted in Key Ministry, Leadership, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Key Strategy #6…Leveraging technology to maximize our impact

The greatest obstacle we face in sharing the Gospel with kids with disabilities and their families rests in the challenges presented by the environments in which we worship and do much of what we refer to as “ministry.” Our newfound ability to connect with people anywhere, at any time provides us with a tool to bridge the barriers that currently exist at church for kids who process sensory information differently, evaluate risk differently and maintain self control differently than kids considered more “typical.” Continue reading

Posted in Key Ministry, Leadership, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Key Strategy #5…Seeking platforms to advance the ministry

Our people and resources are irrelevant if churches don’t know they exist. While there’s a fair amount of narcissistic self-promotion in ministry world, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out opportunities to be a positive influence for including families of kids with disabilities in the church. Continue reading

Posted in Key Ministry, Leadership, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nella Uitvlugt…a tribute

Because so many leaders are new to the disability ministry movement and never had the opportunity to learn from Nella, I thought the best way to honor her contributions to the field would be to share the video of her presentation from this past November’s Inclusion Fusion. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gillian Marchenko…To the new mother of a baby with Down syndrome

I am a bit farther down your new path. Give yourself time to fall in love with your son, and to get used to Down syndrome. Breathe in his baby smell. Watch how his brother kisses the top of his head, how your husband gently puts him down to sleep, how your baby locks eyes with you when he eats. The weight of the world is in those eyes.

Today, you don’t have to love Down syndrome. Just love your son.
Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Key Strategy #4…Intentionally collaborative

Today, we’ll look at our ongoing efforts to advance our mission and the disability ministry movement through partnering with other like-minded organizations and individuals. Continue reading

Posted in Key Ministry, Leadership, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are teens “undermedicated” for mental health disorders?

There is very little evidence in this study to suggest that large numbers of teens are getting psychiatric medications that they don’t need. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Controversies, Depression, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Key Strategy #3…Expanding the circle

As Key Ministry grows and develops additional partners, we’ll be intentional in cultivating relationships with other leaders throughout the church. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Key Ministry, Leadership, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Walk Worthy, Pope Francis!

Pope Francis strikes me as a leader who shares many passions with Christ-followers throughout the disability ministry movement. Our team at Key Ministry wishes him well and will be praying for his success. We’d be honored to support our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ everywhere who seek to live out the Gospel through welcoming and including kids with disabilities and their families into into the life of the church. Continue reading

Posted in Inclusion, Key Ministry, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments