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Category Archives: Ministry Environments
Church…A Hostile Environment? (Part Two) Harmony Hensley
I would encourage you to take a two pronged approach to making your church a more welcoming environment for families and kids impacted by disability.
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Redefining disability…and what it means for the church
But the newer thinking is that it’s not your body that disables you, it’s the environment around you.” For example, an environment full of stairs is actually what disables a person in a wheelchair. “That’s a much more interesting way to look at disability,” Continue reading
Church…A Hostile Environment? Harmony Hensley
For families and children impacted by disability church is all too often viewed as a “hostile” environment in which they feel judged or unwelcome. Sadly, I’ve met a number of families who would summarize their church experience this way. Continue reading
Posted in Families, Inclusion, Ministry Environments, Strategies
Tagged church, families, Harmony Hensley, hostile environment, Inclusion, Key Ministry, ministry environments
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Building a bigger movement…
Because many churches that are effectively reaching unchurched people are very gifted at creating welcoming ministry environments, I could easily envision a role for them in serving kids with more subtle or hidden disabilities…kids with conditions that are disabling in some, but not all environments. Kids with disabilities that wouldn’t necessarily be thought of as having “special needs.” Kids with parents who may not have done well in more traditional church environments. Continue reading
What I learned about Internet ministry…
A couple of years ago, I experienced a very clear sense that God planned for our Key Ministry team to pioneer the use of technology to reach families of kids with disabilities who aren’t currently served by a local church. I’ve also had a strong sense of conviction that we’re to continue to pursue strategies for helping churches welcome and serve kids with “hidden disabilities” and their families…kids who in most cases wouldn’t be thought of as “disabled” or as having “special needs”, but have issues with anxiety, attention, self-control or sensory processing that make it difficult for themselves or their family members to fully engage in and participate in traditional church activities and environments. I’ve been thinking about how online ministry options might help churches more effectively serve families of kids with disabilities that don’t involve significant physical or intellectual impairment. Continue reading
Church…A Hostile Environment? (Part Two) Harmony Hensley
I would encourage you to take a two pronged approach to making your church a more welcoming environment for families and kids impacted by disability.
Continue reading
Church…A Hostile Environment? Harmony Hensley
For families and children impacted by disability church is all too often viewed as a “hostile” environment in which they feel judged or unwelcome. Sadly, I’ve met a number of families who would summarize their church experience this way.
Continue reading
When are kids most at risk of aggressive behavior at church?
Most kids who display aggressive behavior serious enough in terms of frequency and/or severity to be of concern to church staff and volunteers will meet the criteria for one or more mental health or developmental disorders. Nevertheless, children’s and youth ministry staff and volunteers need to take steps to minimize antecedents to aggressive behavior without specific information about a child’s diagnosis or treatment. Continue reading
Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Ministry Environments, Strategies
Tagged aggressive behavior at church, children's ministry, Chuck Swindoll, executive functioning, Harmony Hensley, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Jeff McNair, Jeremy Collins, Katie Wetherbee, Key Ministry, Marie Kuch, Shannon Dingle, youth ministry
3 Comments
Why do kids become aggressive?
One contributing factor to aggressive behavior you can influence as a ministry leader is the environment in which your kids worship, learn and serve at church. You want to consider how you can create environments that help all kids to maximize their capacity to use all of their cognitive resources for the best possible experience at church.
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Be Not Anxious…Small Groups, Retreats and Mission Trips
Today, we’ll continue our look at challenges church participation poses for children and teens with anxiety disorders by looking at several potentially anxiety-inducing experiences…small groups, retreats and mission trips. Continue reading
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