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Category Archives: Inclusion
Rhonda Martin…Nurturing Spiritual Growth in Kids With Anxiety
Rhett Smith’s outstanding interview on his new book, The Anxious Christian, has generated lots of interest in the topic of anxiety and church. In the process of compiling resources pertaining to spiritual development and anxiety, I came across this interview that Katie Wetherbee conducted with Rhonda Martin for the 2011 Inclusion Fusion Special Needs Ministry Web Summit.
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Rhett Smith…Inclusive Ministry Environments for Kids and Adults With Anxiety
Today’s interview segment with Rhett Smith is the perfect discussion starter for tonight’s Special Needs Ministry TweetChat on the impact of mental illness at church. In Part Four of our interview with Rhett, he shares ideas for pastors, church staff and volunteers for making church a more welcoming place for children and adults with anxiety. Continue reading
Rhett Smith…Anxiety as a Barrier at Church
Anxiety is a classic example of a “hidden disability. In the third segment of his current series, Rhett Smith discusses some not so obvious ways in which anxiety presents significant barriers to church attendance and engagement for kids as well as adults. Rhett is the author of the new book, The Anxious Christian: Can God Use Your Anxiety for Good?. Continue reading
Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Strategies
Tagged Adam McHugh, anxiety, Can God Use Your Anxiety for Good?, Hidden Disabilities, Introverts in the Church, Key Ministry, Neil Gatten, Rhett Smith, Special Needs Ministry TweetChat, Stephen Grcevich MD, The Anxious Christian
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Same Lake, Different Boat: Final Thoughts by Stephanie Hubach
My prayer is that Same Lake, Different Boat will be used by the Holy Spirit to raise awareness, educate congregations, promote discussion, and—most of all—soften hearts. Whether the DVD series functions as a resource for individual Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders, and Deacons—or whether small groups or women’s ministry groups in the congregation use it as a discussion tool to challenge themselves in the area of practical Christian living—it’s time for the Church to live out “Christianity with its sleeves rolled up,” as our PCA friend Joni Eareckson Tada says. Continue reading
Posted in Inclusion, Resources
Tagged Disability Ministry, Inclusion, Same Lake Different Boat DVD, Stephanie Hubach
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Same Lake, Different Boat: Steph Hubach (Part Three)
In Paul’s discussion on the body of Christ in I Corinthians 12: 25, he talks about showing “equal concern for each other.” When we do that, everyone has to adapt—both those with and without diagnosable disabilities. The family of a child with developmental disabilities ought not to enter the local church with a demanding and inflexible attitude, nor should the existing congregation be unwilling to make any adaptations. Our selfish natures resist making accommodations for each other, but that is what is always required of us when we love as Jesus loves. “Win-win” congregational inclusion can be created in many and varied ways when we are simply committed to finding ways to show equal concern for each other. Continue reading
Same Lake, Different Boat: Guest Blogger Steph Hubach
Steph has recently released a DVD series based upon her widely read book, Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability. In the DVD series, she expands upon the topics addressed in the book with new insights, applications and stories not included in the original publication, accompanied by interviews with ministry leaders, persons with disabilities and family members.
Throughout this week, she’ll share some of her thoughts and experiences that have influenced the development of her current ministry, as well as her purposes in creating her book and DVD series. Continue reading
No Labels…Tying it All Together
Bottom line…We can minister effectively to kids with disabilities and their families without requiring knowledge of diagnoses that may or may not be accurate or by defining children and their adults by their disability as opposed to by who they are in God’s Kingdom. Continue reading
Communication Breakdown…Doing Ministry Together Without Diagnostic Labels
If we decide not to use a medical-based model as a common language around which to serve kids and families in churches, we need a common language for communication with one another that can be readily understood by every staff person and every volunteer at church. I’ll argue that it’s best to to use everyday language while guided by a set of communication principles. Continue reading
Do We Put People in Boxes?
Most people “get” what autism is about because of some fabulous public education initiatives. But way too many people think that ADHD is caused by poor discipline at home, anxiety is produced by a lack of faith and that depression persists because the person afflicted doesn’t pray enough. If we get hung up on diagnoses, the value judgments of too many people in our churches becomes an impediment to creating welcoming ministry environments for all kids and families.
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Posted in Controversies, Inclusion
Tagged churches, diagnosis, Inclusion, Key Ministry, No Labels, putting people into boxes, Stephen Grcevich MD
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