Author Archives: Dr. G

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About Dr. G

Dr. Stephen Grcevich serves as President and Founder of Key Ministry, a non-profit organization providing free training, consultation, resources and support to help churches serve families of children with disabilities. Dr. Grcevich is a graduate of Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), trained in General Psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University. He is a faculty member in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at two medical schools, leads a group practice in suburban Cleveland (Family Center by the Falls), and continues to be involved in research evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medications prescribed to children for ADHD, anxiety and depression. He is a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Dr. Grcevich was recently recognized by Sharecare as one of the top ten online influencers in children’s mental health. His blog for Key Ministry, www.church4everychild.org was ranked fourth among the top 100 children's ministry blogs in 2015 by Ministry to Children.

Inclusion Fusion…Call for Presentations

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Dr. G

We’re delighted to offer the opportunity to participate as a faculty member to any member of our larger family in Christ with resources or wisdom to share to help us more effectively serve families of persons with special needs. After all, doesn’t that reflect what it means to be inclusive? Continue reading →

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Guest Blog…Aaron Scheffler from Mark 2 Ministries

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Dr. G

Originally posted on 8/21/11, revised 9/19/12). Between now and Inclusion Fusion on November 3-5, 2011 (Inclusion Fusion 2012 is scheduled for November 12-16, 2012, FREE registration available here) we’ll be introducing you to some of the speakers and ministries that … Continue reading →

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Final Key Ministry Lineup…Bioethics Conference and Through The Roof Summit

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Dr. G

Our team is honored to participate in the Bioethics Conference and Through The Roof Summit at Cedarville University on September 15-17, co-sponsored by Joni and Friends. Here’s the final lineup of presentations from Key Ministry staff and volunteers: Continue reading →

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Stuck…by Rhonda Martin

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Dr. G

Rhonda Martin’s new book, Stuck, is an invaluable resource for kids with OCD and their families because it helps kids and parents to recognize that others experience similar types distressing thoughts, irrational fears and compulsive behaviors. The ability to attach a name to symptoms is often the first step in the process of seeking help. The kids I see in my practice have often suffered in silence for years. The availability of Stuck will undoubtedly result in thousands of kids and families seeking help who wouldn’t have otherwise experienced relief from a condition that prevents them from becoming the people God created them to be. Continue reading →

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What Happens After the Benediction?

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Dr. G

So much of what we at Key Ministry, along with other special needs ministry leaders focus on is creating welcoming and inclusive environments to help families be able to attend church. But how do we come beside families of kids with disabilities and “do life” with them after the connection has been made and the families we serve are now part of our church?
Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Stories, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Beyond Zero Tolerance…Key Ministry Fall Preview

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Dr. G

The focus of our Fall blog series will be on helping churches safely and effectively welcome, serve and include families of kids at risk of aggressive behavior. In the series Beyond Zero Tolerance, we’ll examine

Why kids may manifest maladaptive aggression
Conditions frequently associated with aggressive behavior
Times and environments at church when kids most likely to experience difficulty controlling aggressive behavior
Strategies for managing the risk for aggressive behavior in kids with autism and other developmental disabilities, mood disorders, ADHD and anxiety
Strategies for effective collaboration between church staff, volunteers and parents of kids at risk for aggressive behavior
Tips for church staff and volunteers to help reduce risk of aggressive behavior
Interventions when kids behave aggressively at church
Processing critical incidents with staff, volunteers and parents
What to do when the risk of aggressive behavior precludes kids from attending church
Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Resources, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

How I let my team down…The key ingredient

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Dr. G

Maybe if I learn my lesson more quickly and pray and the first sign of adversity as opposed to plan, I’ll spare my team too many more humbling experiences. Continue reading →

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Inclusion Fusion…How You Can Help

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Dr. G

Consider this…Don’t we live in a pretty amazing time when a bunch of folks who are passionate about wanting to see families of kids with special needs come to know and love Jesus Christ can put on an event in which any church leader, volunteer or parent anywhere in the world who shares the same passion and has access to the Internet through a computer, tablet or smart phone can join in? That’s Inclusion Fusion. Continue reading →

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Inclusion Fusion…The Special Needs Ministry Web Summit

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Dr. G

Inclusion Fusion will be a FREE, worldwide web conference to equip churches to more effectively minister to families of kids with disabilities. The conference is an opportunity for Christ followers everywhere to come together to share ideas and resources to advance the movement among Christ-honoring churches to serve, welcome and include families of kids with disabilities. Inclusion Fusion is being made available free of charge, to ensure the participation of as many church leaders, volunteers and families as possible.
Continue reading →

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Harmony Hensley: God’s Grace in the Voice Mail

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Dr. G

I listened to the message again and just smiled. I was reminded that sometimes in ministry we get so caught up in the litany of tasks and events that we execute that we lose sight of the real impact they have on those we serve. The Prom isn’t just a party. It’s a night where the playing field is level, the kingdom advances, and a people who have been marginalized and often forgotten are celebrated. So it only makes sense that our friends would begin counting down the days for their next dance the moment the DJ stops the music. They thirst for the same thing you and I do – to belong. Continue reading →

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