Category Archives: Hidden Disabilities

What does “executive functioning” have to do with kids and church?

Through identifying the other challenges executive functioning weaknesses present to a person’s ability to maintain an ongoing pattern of involvement with a local church, we hope to assist leaders in designing ministry environments and developing supports to welcome kids and families who were “unsuccessful” in previous experiences of church and strengthen their connection to the local church once they become attenders. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Intellectual Disabilities, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Doing church” when kids struggle with social communication…

Let’s consider the challenges a kid would experience who has difficulty picking up on body language or the meaning behind the tone and inflection of speech if their parents decided to start attending your church. Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Ministry Environments, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Including kids and teens with mental illness at church…Grasping the relationship barrier

The kids and families we serve in our child and adolescent psychiatry practice are extremely vulnerable to a vicious cycle of escalating social isolation, perpetuated by the nature of the conditions they experience, their propensity to misinterpret the thoughts and reactions of other people and the stigma associated with mental illness. Continue reading

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Including kids and teens with mental illness at church…What are the barriers?

I’ve come to the conclusion that our team at Key Ministry needs to, at the very least, put forth a conceptual model for a mental health/trauma inclusion ministry that could be implemented by churches of all sizes, denominations and organizational styles. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Mike Pitts…Hidden Disabilities in Middle School Ministry

Somewhere along the line we have unintentionally and unknowing catered our ministries to the “typical” students. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is mental illness a disability?

Why wouldn’t we expect people with the most common cause of disability in the U.S. to be served by our existing disability ministries? My colleague is absolutely right…they’re NOT. Why not? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Continue reading

Posted in Adoption, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Nurturing spiritual growth in kids with anxiety…Inclusion Fusion Library

Rhonda discusses the unique spiritual needs of children who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Social Phobia and Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder. Katie and Rhonda cover identification, accommodations and unique spiritual issues for each manifestation of anxiety from the church nursery to the high school youth group.
Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Key Ministry featured at Insight for Living!

In our interview, Colleen and I had the opportunity to discuss the challenges families face in attending church when kids have mental illnesses Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Key Ministry 2.0…Reaffirming our original mission

What need has God uniquely called and positioned us to do that other ministry organizations haven’t been able to address? Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Resources, Spiritual Development, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments