Category Archives: Resources

Inclusion Fusion…The Special Needs Ministry Web Summit

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Dr. G

Inclusion Fusion will be a FREE, worldwide web conference to equip churches to more effectively minister to families of kids with disabilities. The conference is an opportunity for Christ followers everywhere to come together to share ideas and resources to advance the movement among Christ-honoring churches to serve, welcome and include families of kids with disabilities. Inclusion Fusion is being made available free of charge, to ensure the participation of as many church leaders, volunteers and families as possible.
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Information Overload

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Dr. G

One of the downsides of this proliferation of ministry content and resources is the danger that ministries can get into an escalating “arms race” in which leaders feel they need to promote more and more content in overlapping social networks in an effort to be heard above the “noise” caused by the volume of social media available. There’s also a risk of churches and parents who want to start ministry initiatives becoming paralyzed by the range of resources available to them through what’s referred to as choice overload theory. I think it’s also easy for ministry leaders to get so caught up in keeping up with social media and measuring success in terms of Facebook fans, Twitter followers and website hits that we lose sight of the ultimate goal…sharing God’s love with the people around us in such a way that those people are drawn to Jesus. Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Resources, Strategies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

All Are Welcome

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Dr. G

The team behind All Are Welcome has created an excellent resource and has provided a template for disability advocacy organizations to follow in supporting inclusion of the families they serve at church.
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Posted in Autism, Inclusion, Resources | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

An Inclusive Movement

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Dr. G

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve continued to have experiences that reinforce how important it is for Key Ministry to actively seek out other ministries and leaders who are passionate about sharing Christ’s love with families of kids with disabilities, to offer to support and network those ministries and leaders, and to share our platforms with them in order to assist them in expanding the impact of their ministries. Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Leadership, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Be Not Anxious…The Role of Medication for Kids With Anxiety

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Dr. G

Medication is appropriate for children who experience moderate to severe functional impairment from anxiety symptoms, fail to respond or respond incompletely to psychotherapy or experience one or more comorbid conditions that require concurrent treatment. Medication is also appropriate when anxiety symptoms interfere with the child’s ability to participate in or benefit from talk therapy, or situations when the family is unable to access therapy for geographic or financial reasons. Continue reading →

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Be Not Anxious…Understanding Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Kids

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Dr. G

In general, the most effective approach to treating kids with significant anxiety is a combination of medication and a very specific counseling approach referred to as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Continue reading →

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Challenges Kids With Anxiety Face in “Doing Church”

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Dr. G

A child with significant anxiety will likely face multiple impediments to full participation in the children’s or youth ministry of their local church. The specific thoughts, experiences and situations that create obstacles to participation and growth will be unique to each child, but the list below describes common challenges parents and church staff can anticipate when ministering to children and youth with anxiety. Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Stories, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Summer Stuff

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Dr. G

Summer may have arrived (even in Northeast Ohio), but our crew at Key Ministry will hardly be relaxing and taking it easy over the next few months. Continue reading →

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Depression and Comorbidity in Children and Adolescents

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Dr. G

Children and youth who meet criteria for a full-fledged episode of Major Depression are especially prone to comorbid mental health disorders. The slide below illustrates some of the most common comorbidities associated with depression in children and teens. Depending upon the practice setting, as many as 90% of kids with depression have at least one comorbid condition, while 50% experience two or more conditions. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The relationship between ADHD and autism

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Dr. G

The implication of all this for church staff and volunteers is to appreciate the reality that if you’ve seen one kid with autism, you’ve seen one kid with autism. Effective strategies for inclusion at church and the resources families find helpful in promoting the spiritual growth of their child aren’t “one size fits all” for kids with ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, or both. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments