Category Archives: Key Ministry

Including Kids and Teens With Mental Illness in the Church and Community…#globalaccess2015

Here’s the Slideshare of Dr. Grcevich’s presentation today at the 2015 Global Access Conference, presented by Joni and Friends…Including Kids and Teens With Mental Illness in the Church and Community. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Matt Walsh, responsibility, stigma and ADHD

There might be people with legitimate disorders who get labeled with this one, but this one, this specific thing we refer to as ADHD, is a godforsaken lie. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Controversies, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Shannon Dingle…Why do you keep writing about how broken kids in foster or adoptive placements are?

But I also want to make sure we’re telling the whole story. I’m not saying “don’t adopt” or “stop it with those memes” but rather standing in the gap between Hallmark movie versions of adoption/foster care and the hard realities that sometimes persist after placement. Continue reading

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Controversies, Foster Care, Key Ministry, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Dr. Oren Mason…Wondering what a pill will do to me?

People who don’t have ADHD probably never imagine how much effort goes into the smallest task, the simplest morning routine, nor do they know how frustrating it is to spend that much effort and still do it badly. Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Why many in the church don’t see ADHD as a disability…

“People in the church believe they can tell when a disability ends and bad parenting begins.”
Continue reading

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Wow!

I’m so encouraged to see so many people from throughout our home region willing to spend a day examining how we can more effectively welcome kids, families and adults impacted by disability into our churches. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Stories, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Unintended consequences…Sin, mental illness and the church

The research appears to suggest that we have a lot of people within the church who struggle with emotional distress who have been badly hurt by their interactions with pastors, church staff, counselors and the reactions of fellow believers. Clearly, there’s an established perception among the majority outside the church that those struggling with more serious or chronic mental health concerns won’t be welcome at church…and that’s a very big problem when it comes to fulfilling Christ’s command to make disciples. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Controversies, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

I wonder how we miss the obvious…Jeff McNair

We walk by, seemingly acting if we don’t know who our neighbor is. Continue reading

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Does love heal all wounds from childhood trauma?

In other words, church, we have a great opportunity to love those affected by trauma! The need is great. Kids are hurting. Adults are too. Families are struggling. And the first step in being able to help is understanding the need. Jesus met people where they were, and so can we. Continue reading

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Foster Care, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, PTSD | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Jay Adams and the foundations of a movement…

It’s important for our readers to understand how central Adams has been in impacting how pastors from evangelical and reformed traditions think about mental illness and pastoral counseling. Continue reading

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments