Author Archives: Dr. G

Unknown's avatar

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.

Rethinking “disability” in the church

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Dr. G

But the newer thinking is that it’s not your body that disables you, it’s the environment around you.” For example, an environment full of stairs is actually what disables a person in a wheelchair. “That’s a much more interesting way to look at disability,” he adds. “So the onus isn’t on the ‘disabled’ person, it’s on the environment and on all of us.”
Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How Parents Can Advocate Effectively for Traumatized Children

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Dr. G

Because children with PTSD can’t advocate for themselves. They need us to be their voice when they are too small and too broken to advocate on their own behalf. This post discusses three skills parents must cultivate to be effective advocates for traumatized kids. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health, PTSD, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should adoption be the church’s response to abortion?

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Dr. G

Adoption should be our response to a child in need of a family. Meanwhile, support in a variety of forms should be our response to a pregnant woman in need. Let’s not confuse the two. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Controversies, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Creating a more supportive church culture…one congregation’s journey…

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Dr. G

We are in the beginning stages, but perhaps the most beautiful firstfruits have been watching the healing that goes both ways when parents who have been on the journey longer come alongside those who are just beginning to deal with these struggles. The support brings a sense of greater purpose to parents sharing what they have learned with others.
Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Parents, Stories, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How to Prevent PTSD in Traumatized Children

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Dr. G

This post reviews some of the techniques parents and other adults can use to lower the risk of PTSD developing in our kids after they experience a traumatic event.
Continue reading →

Posted in Mental Health, PTSD, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The obligation of church leaders who promote adoption

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Dr. G

I’d like to challenge church leaders to assume responsibility for supporting their families when they pursue adoption ministry. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Key Ministry, Leadership, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why disability history strengthens my pro-life beliefs

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Dr. G

We say we’re pro-life but our history concerned people with disabilities – both in the church and outside – says that maybe we aren’t. Maybe we value lives differently depending on what quantifiable contribution the person can make to society. Maybe we don’t want to talk about this because it hurts to acknowledge our hypocrisy. Maybe it’s easier for us to shout about the indignities against life seen in those videos than to admit the indignities against life when we use ability and disability as a measure of who is welcome and accommodated in our places of worship.
Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I signed a contract with a literary agent…

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Dr. G

I’ve been blessed by the opportunity to connect with a group of people to come alongside our ministry as we pursue the unique work God’s given us to do. Continue reading →

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

Effective Treatment of PTSD in Children

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Dr. G

The earlier children with PTSD are treated, the better. Early treatment means less likelihood of complications from multiple untreated traumas, less time for inappropriate trauma response behaviors to become ingrained habits, and less likelihood of other mental conditions arising from untreated traumas. Though early treatment is best, it is never too late to seek treatment. Continue reading →

Posted in PTSD | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What does the Bible say about abortion and disability?

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Dr. G

But as we examine all the passages relating to disability and life, one message stands out: we can do hard things because of great Love. Amen. Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments