Category Archives: Families

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

What keeps kids with ADHD out of church?

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Dr. G

“People in the church believe they can tell when a disability ends and bad parenting begins.” Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Families, Hidden Disabilities, 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

Looking at the Lifeway/Focus on the Family mental illness study as a peer reviewer would…

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Dr. G

In examining and interpreting the study for our readers, I thought it would be most helpful going forward to put on my “old hat” as a reviewer and offer insight into how the folks who sit where I sat might think about the Focus/Lifeway study…
Continue reading →

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

A child psychiatrist’s discomfort with the Adrian Peterson case

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Dr. G

If we’re establishing a standard that parents implicated in situations like the Peterson case are going to be deprived of their livelihoods and due process rights, society will be creating a tremendous disincentive for those experiencing domestic violence to seek professional (or in many locations, spiritual) help, because all states have mandatory reporting requirements for professionals, and in 27 states, the legal mandate to report extends to clergy. Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Families, Key Ministry, PTSD | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why are we shocked by the Bay Village “Ice Bucket Challenge?”

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Dr. G

The behavior demonstrated by the perpetrators of the “Ice Bucket Challenge” reflects our human nature. Christianity teaches that none of us are righteous! What type of behavior should we expect to see, especially in a culture in which more and more of us reject God, and fail to recognize any absolute standards of right and wrong? Many of the risk factors associated with bullying are symptomatic of the breakdown of the family unit as the fundamental building block of society. This is just the beginning… Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Controversies, Families, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A look at who we serve…

Posted on September 7, 2014 by Dr. G

Having a family member with special needs affects church attendance in the following ways: 46% have troubles attending church; 28% don’t attend or have given up attending; 11% of families attend services separately, with one parent staying home to manage the child while the other heads to church; 15% said they had no troubles with church attendance. Continue reading →

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Back to school…Libby Peterson

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Dr. G

Some of the best preparation we can give our kids for the new school year might be…not new clothes, but a renewed sense of self as we remind them that they are chosen by the God of the Universe to belong to HIM, clothed in righteousness, and that God loves them no matter what! Continue reading →

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What families of teens and young adults with developmental disabilities need from church…

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Dr. G

Nearly 500 parents of adolescents or young adults with developmental disabilities were asked two questions about fourteen supports that churches could provide to their family… Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Autism, Families, Intellectual Disabilities, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

AWANA Conference Presentations on Slideshare…

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Dr. G

The most common message communicated to me during and after the conference was…”You’ve really made me think.” Please join me in praying that every leader in attendance yesterday will welcome one kid and one family to their Awana ministry as an outcome of our conference.
Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment