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.

What Services Does Key Ministry Provide to Churches?

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Dr. G

Ultimately, we want Key Ministry to be all about relationships and not just resources. After all, Christianity is ultimately about a relationship…with Jesus Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pediatric bipolar resources for church staff, volunteers and families

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Dr. G

Here are four resources I’d recommend highly to anyone looking to learn more about bipolar disorder in children and teens: Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar Disorder, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Parents, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How the Church Can Help Families of Kids With Bipolar Disorder

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Dr. G

Not every kid has to come to church to be ministered to by the church. Parents have far more time and opportunity to influence their children than the church does. Parents of a child with bipolar disorder are more likely to know the best strategies for communicating with them in different mood states. Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar Disorder, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How might bipolar disorder affect church participation and spiritual development?

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Dr. G

It’s more likely in our practice that a family of a child with an autism spectrum disorder will be involved with church than a family of a child with bipolar disorder. Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar Disorder, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Challenges do Families of Kids With Bipolar Disorder Face?

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Dr. G

During a severe mood episode, kids or teens with bipolar disorder have problems with emotional self-regulation that are unimaginable to those who have never been through the experience. Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What Challenges Do Kids With Bipolar Disorder Face?

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Dr. G

With rare exceptions, kids want to be good. They want their parents to approve of them. They want other kids to like them and want to be with them. They want to be normal. Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar Disorder, Hidden Disabilities, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens?

Posted on August 15, 2010 by Dr. G

Jesus was into lost sheep. See Matt 18:12-14. If he saw value in pursuing the one lost sheep (the child or teen with bipolar disorder) out of a hundred maybe we should too? Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Hidden Disabilities, Parents | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Children’s and Youth Pastors and Volunteers

Posted on August 15, 2010 by Dr. G

I’m going to present a six-part series to help children’s pastors, youth pastors and ministry volunteers better understand and serve kids with bipolar disorder and their families. Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar Disorder, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Parent’s Greatest Fear

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Dr. G

I suspect the fear of being told that their parenting strategies, family values or choices are the cause of their child’s emotional or behavioral problems poses a major obstacle to families becoming actively involved with a local church. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Adoption, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Parents | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Words We Use Matter

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Dr. G

Most parents of a child with a mental health condition wouldn’t conclude a church had anything to offer their family if they were to see a wheelchair symbol on a church website or find a link offering “special needs ministry.” In my experience, the kids who come to a practice like ours desperately want to be seen as normal. Continue reading →

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