Category Archives: Families

What Children’s and Family Ministry Can Learn From Child Psychiatry

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Dr. G

Churches appear to give lip service to the concept of viewing parents as partners in the spiritual development of kids, but do their actions match their words? Continue reading →

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One Family’s Story

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Dr. G

our family’s experience of a child with a disability has made me aware that the impact of the disability isn’t limited to the nuclear family but affects the extended family as well. Second, while we as the church can offer to do what we can to support families affected by disability, as a psychiatrist and as a brother, I can’t fully comprehend how the 24 hour a day, seven day a week experience of being responsible for a child with a significant disability colors one’s understanding and attitude toward God and experience of trying to be a part of a community of faith through the local church. We can do everything we possibly can to reach out to families of kids with disabilities who aren’t actively involved with church, but we also need to be slow to judge parents who fail to take us up on the offer until we’ve walked in their shoes.
Continue reading →

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The Challenges Families Face in Finding the Right Help

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Dr. G

Parents of kids with significant mental health disorders frequently experience great frustration in negotiating the confusing maze that constitutes our system of mental health care in many communities across the U.S., along with the yet more confusing (intentionally?) system of paying for needed care. Quite frequently, pastors and ministry leaders are trusted resources to parents of children or teens in crisis, and my own professional society encourages parents who are looking for help for their kids to seek recommendations from their spiritual leaders. In honor of National Children’s Mental Health Day, I wanted to help ministry leaders better appreciate several challenges families face in finding the proper help for their kids, and offer some resources to share with parents looking to churches for help.
Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Parents, Resources | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Thinking “Orange”…Takeaway Points

Posted on April 17, 2011 by Dr. G

When church leaders consider the opportunity to minister to and influence parents and siblings who otherwise miss out on the benefits of a local church, the potential impact of an inclusive family ministry on the surrounding community becomes readily apparent. Continue reading →

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Special Needs and Divorce: What Does the Data Say?

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Dr. G

New data…Older siblings who can assist in caregiving may play an important role in maintaining family stability and It’s less stigmatizing to have a child with an autism spectrum disorder than it is to have one with a psychiatric disorder. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Families, Key Ministry, Parents, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Thinking “Orange”…Kids With Disabilities Present the Church With a Unique Opportunity

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Dr. G

One of the reasons churches shy away from serving kids with disabilities is the concern that large numbers of volunteers may be needed for a ministry that can be labor-intensive. But what if churches could reach a large, underserved population of families in their immediate communities while offering students the opportunity to engage in meaningful ministry experiences? Continue reading →

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Thinking “Orange”: Catalysts for Spiritual Growth For Kids With…and Without Disabilities

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Dr. G

What if a kid has a significant emotional, behavioral or developmental disorder that makes it more difficult to participate in the program or stick with the program? Here are ten suggestions…some are demonstrably effective, some are still working hypotheses based upon 25 years of experience as a clinician and many years of active involvement in churches. All of these suggestions are applicable to any kid or family being served by your church, and are applicable to kids with and without identified disabilities: Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Parents, Resources, Spiritual Development, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Autism Awareness Day: Guest Blogger Colleen Swindoll

Posted on April 2, 2011 by Dr. G

Insight for Living is among the most prominent Christian organizations to champion the cause of kids with special needs and their families. Chuck Swindoll has dedicated broadcasts to addressing the spiritual needs of parents raising kids with emotional, behavioral, developmental or physical disabilities. His family has had firsthand experience with the topic. His youngest daughter (Colleen) is raising a son who has been diagnosed with autism. Continue reading →

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What Helps Kids Grow Spiritually? A Look at the Data

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Dr. G

What did all of these studies have in common, and what would I want to focus on as a parent if I want to increase the likelihood that my kids are going to grow up to be mature Christians, actively engaged in a local church and using their gifts and talents in serving others?

I’d want to pray regularly with my kids, and have them see my wife and I praying regularly.
I’d want my kids to see my wife and I studying the Bible regularly, and initiate spiritual conversations with them on a regular basis about applying Biblical teachings in day to day life.
I’d want to pursue opportunities to serve other people as a family through my church.
I’d want to make sure my kids saw my wife and I going to church every week, and encourage them to participate in the ministry offered at church for kids in their age group. I’d also encourage them in forming relationships with pastors or youth leaders outside of our home who will support and reinforce the values we’re trying to foster in our kids. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Parents, Spiritual Development, Strategies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Thinking Orange”…Helping Parents of Kids With Disabilities Do A Little Bit More

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Dr. G

For our friends in children’s ministry, I’d echo the question Reggie Joiner posed at the beginning of the chapter: Do you really believe in the potential of parents? Including parents of kids who don’t think and react and behave like other kids? I do. Continue reading →

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