Monthly Archives: June 2014

A disability is still a disability for kids who aren’t disabled all the time

Many kids and adults experience mental health conditions that substantially limits their ability to participate in church as a major life activity while maintaining reasonably high levels of functioning at school, at work or at home. Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

If a kid has mental illness, who will invite their family to church?

It’s hard for families to be invited to church when they don’t know anyone who regularly attends church. Continue reading

Posted in Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Past experiences of church have left many families hurting and broken…

We hardly ever go to church any more. I write this with tears in my eyes because I want to find a church where my kids and I are accepted, and yes, even given “special” treatment from time to time…I am so close to just giving up on church. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sin, mental illness and disability ministry

Is it possible that the historical exclusion of kids and adults with mental illness from “disability ministry” stems from the view held by many church leaders and attendees that much of what we classify as mental illness is a byproduct of either sin problems or a lack of faith? Continue reading

Posted in Controversies, Intellectual Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Need Project podcast spotlights Key Ministry, hidden disabilities

In my conversation with Bob, we discussed the state of mental health care in the U.S., explored the reasons why kids with mental illness aren’t typically served in the context of existing disability ministries, examined some of the struggles churches experience in serving those with hidden disabilities and shared strategies some churches are utilizing to reach families impacted by disabilities lacking meaningful involvement with a local church. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From outreach ideas to action in three easy steps…Mike Woods

What can you and your special needs ministry do to help people with disabilities in your community achieve their potential and experience God’s good design for their lives? No one special needs ministry (or church) can do everything . . . but each special needs ministry (or church) is called to do something.
Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Jeff Davidson…Help Wanted

I wish the 30-year old dad of the newborn son I once was could have known the 47-year old dad of a sixteen year old son with special needs that I am now. I could say, “Listen I’ve been where you are. Your life didn’t just end. In fact, this is only the beginning of the most amazing ride of your life. God is going to teach you and reveal things to you that you can’t even imagine.” Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Intellectual Disabilities, Spiritual Development, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Matt Mooney…Why after all the hard, did you choose hard again?

Matt Mooney served as our guest blogger for Father’s Day 2013. Many people were touched by his family’s story last June…we thought we’d share with our new readers… Matt currently serves as Executive Director of 99 Balloons, a non-profit organization based in … Continue reading

Posted in Adoption, Families, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Too much visual stimulation may be bad for most kids…

The research describing the impact of environment upon learning in children offers one of the best examples of how churches can take concrete steps to become more welcoming to all families (especially those with children who struggle with attentional regulation or sensory processing) and more effective during the limited time they have to influence kids without having to develop a stand-alone ministry “program” or requiring families to self-identify their kids with disabilities. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Too much visual stimulation may be bad for most kids…

The research describing the impact of environment upon learning in children offers one of the best examples of how churches can take concrete steps to become more welcoming to all families (especially those with children who struggle with attentional regulation or sensory processing) and more effective during the limited time they have to influence kids without having to develop a stand-alone ministry “program” or requiring families to self-identify their kids with disabilities. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment