Category Archives: Advocacy

Mental health recovery and the role of the church…Joe Padilla

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Dr. G

If you approach your pastor by saying you want to “start a ministry for mental illness,” they immediately start thinking: money, people (leaders), building space, and then they are naturally flooded with “stigma” concerns regarding liability (remember they do not have a full understanding … yet).

We need to take a different approach that doesn’t overwhelm the pastor. Instead, let’s invite them into a new process of understanding and the implementation of practical support that will not overwhelm church resources. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Inclusion Fusion, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Silent Fighter…

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Dr. G

The depths still loom. They threaten. They seduce. They fight back, grasping at your feet. But your fight, the teaspoons you have gathered into your body, says, “I cannot let you take me. I cannot.” No explanation, just blind trust and hope that your fight and your faith will lead you to better waters. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Mental Health, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

To love adoptive and foster families, (3) partner with us…

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Dr. G

So it makes sense that one way to love the adoptive and foster families in your church is to partner with us. In many ways, this looks just like family ministry does for everyone else. Continue reading →

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

Join us Wednesday for a “Notable” documentary…

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Dr. G

The film highlights three stories of individuals with disability living in a culture where families are often shamed, isolated and marginalized by their community because of their child having a disability. Continue reading →

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

He won’t remember: Children and PTSD…Jolene Philo

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Dr. G

But very few churches talk about the babies, special needs babies, who also suffer from PTSD. Because we don’t want to believe they feel pain. Very few churches talk about children already traumatized before birth or children traumatized by direct or observed trauma.
Because we good church people don’t want to believe they remember.
Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion Fusion, Mental Health, PTSD, Resources, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

#2…Churches should become trauma and attachment-informed

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Dr. G

So, church leaders, what can you do to become trauma- and attachment-informed and to then use that knowledge to serve adoptive and foster families well? Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Controversies, Families, Foster Care, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Five ways the church can love their adoptive and foster families

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Dr. G

When their parents are being elevated with comments about what a great thing they did, then those children may feel like they are less deserving of their families than a biological child might be. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Foster Care, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The four kinds of special needs found in children in adoptive and foster families

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Dr. G

Let’s not do that again, church. Let’s say no to any action or lack of action that tells any person, “You’re not welcome here” or “Our church is only for those who look, act, behave, feel, or act like I do.” Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The chasm is bigger than I ever imagined…

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Dr. G

Parents of kids with mental health conditions are especially prone to be stigmatized at church because of the lingering belief among many in the Christian community that mental illness is a byproduct of sin, kids who struggle with managing emotions and maintaining self-control are the product of parents who are ineffective or indifferent and much of the mental health profession can’t be trusted. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How one good deed turned into the Heart of Rock and Roll…Shane Geisheimer

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Dr. G

We share their team’s story to illustrate that special events like a Prom aren’t limited to megachurches with vast facilities and thousands of potential volunteers…the vision for this event came from five young adults in a small church located in an economically disadvantaged area of the region. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Intellectual Disabilities, Key Ministry, Stories, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment