Category Archives: Inclusion

Ed Stetzer is dead-on about mental illness and Christians…now what?

Sadly, I can’t help but conclude that in our desire as church to avoid the influence of anti-Biblical worldviews foundational to some treatment orientations employed in the mental health community and worldviews held by the vast preponderance of mental health practitioners…we’ve forgotten to love the people experiencing mental illness and contributed to needless suffering by millions of Christ followers and their families.
Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

The secret to launching a missional special needs ministry

But BIG is not always better…or most effective for creating a missional movement into the disability community. Continue reading

Posted in Inclusion, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Common mental health conditions can be MAJOR barriers to church involvement

It’s particularly difficult to understand why parents who might be able to maintain a job and a household or kids who are able to school without one-on-one aides or lots of support services aren’t able to attend church. I’ll try to explain why in today’s post…and give churches a conceptual framework for anticipating the obstacles kids and adults might experience in attending church and addressing them so they no longer remain obstacles.
Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

This week at The Front Door…

We’re also beginning the practice of having regular worship hours three evenings each week, supported by wonderful hosts who have agreed to be available to our attendees for chat and prayer at the same worship hour every week. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thinking “Orange”: Things every kids need…with or without disabilities

All of the needs listed above tend to be more acute for kids with disabilities and their siblings, and parents of kids with disabilities have fewer places to go outside of the church where they can receive help in meeting those needs. Continue reading

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Spiritual Development, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thinking Orange…Partnering with parents when kids have disabilities

More so than with parents in the general population, church leaders may need to do more to earn the right to partner with parents from families affected by disabilities. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Thinking Orange: Supporting the family’s role in spiritual development when kids have disabilities…

How are the kids in the family supposed to come to know and love Jesus if we’re not prepared to welcome the parents to church…and all the other activities at church we’ve found to be helpful in facilitating spiritual growth?
Continue reading

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who knew? Guest blogger Denise Schamens

I asked him if he wanted to talk about God. He spelled out “yes.” I asked if he understood what it means to be baptized? He spelled out “it means to accept Jesus into your heart.” Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The experiment…

In helping local churches to make their worship services, Christian education, small groups and service activities available online, we’re providing them the opportunity to introduce the church to families in an environment that works best for that family. Continue reading

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Front Door…Online Church For Families Impacted By Disabilities

We believe The Front Door represents a new expression of Christian community…an online extension of the local church through which children and families may be introduced to Jesus Christ via technology in environments chosen by their parents and caregivers at times of the day when families impacted by disability may be more receptive to teaching and discipleship. Continue reading

Posted in Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments