Category Archives: Inclusion

Kids don’t want to be seen as “different”

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Dr. G

The best possible solutions for including kids with mental illness at church would include those offering potential benefits to all children and families without drawing attention to any particular child, those that help kids to prepare privately for participation in church activities outside the scrutiny of peers and solutions that offer necessary supports without requiring children or families to self-identify in order to receive help. Continue reading →

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

One Family’s Journey in the Bible Belt…guest post from Stephanie Prosser

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Dr. G

Stephanie offered to share her family’s story with our readers. It serves as a stark reminder that while great strides are being made in opening more churches to families of kids with special medical, behavioral, emotional and developmental needs, there continue to be cities of substantial size here in the U.S. where families impacted by disability have nowhere to go on Sunday mornings if they wish to worship as a family. Here’s Stephanie… Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Autism, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A great night at Parkside Church!

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Dr. G

I came away from our time last night impressed with the need for church leaders seeking to serve families impacted by disability to have someone to whom they can turn for practical advice and support when they experience challenges related to inclusion. It’s my hope that those serving in the field will feel confident turning to Key Ministry for that advice and support. Continue reading →

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Barriers to inclusion…What if nobody knows the kid needs help?

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Dr. G

Our existing disability ministries typically do a very good job of meeting the needs of families of children easily identifiable physical disabilities, or obvious weaknesses weaknesses in intellectual capacity or adaptive functioning. But what happens when the disability isn’t so obvious? Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Ministry Environments, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Dr. G

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…

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Dr. G

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

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Dr. G

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

Ten ideas for promoting spiritual growth when kids have ADHD or anxiety

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Dr. G

Today, we’ll look at the catalysts to spiritual growth discussed in Reggie Joiner’s book Think Orange, and propose ten strategies that could be useful when kids have ADHD, anxiety, or social communication disorders. Continue reading →

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Mike Pitts…Hidden Disabilities in Middle School Ministry

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Dr. G

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

One family’s Christmas at the movies…and our culture?

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Dr. G

I would hope and pray God would see fit to use the Colson’s experience to open the eyes and hearts of many in our culture to the needs of families impacted by autism and other disabilities. I’m sure Emily and Max would be honored if everyone who hears of their story would demonstrate Christ’s love to someone experiencing the effects of disability at their next opportunity. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Autism, Families, Inclusion, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments