Category Archives: Spiritual Development

The power of stories…Dave Lynden

So here was my little guy, Micah, standing in front of the TV, wrapped in his royal blue fleece blanket jumping up and down, clapping and laughing as he watched his favorite stories over and over again, reminding me of what I do, what we do, how we strive to fill in the puzzle pieces and reach for something that brings all of the stories together into a coherent whole. Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Obsessing on the story…Dave Lynden

The “spiritual autism” that isolates us from others is penetrated, in part, by a story God has weaved into the fabric of our very being. And in that sense, it is not only we who are obsessing over a story, but God who is drawing us in- connecting with us, telling us we are part of the story! Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Join us for a conversation with Emily Colson

Her uplifting account of how God has used Max to be a blessing to the people of her church are an inspiring reminder that persons with special needs also have gifts and talents to contribute to the work of the church…and a reminder of how the church is diminished without the inclusion of families impacted by disability. Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development, Stories, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Exercises for overcoming our spiritual autism…Dave Lynden

One of the biggest red flags of spiritual autism is the inability to be still, to quiet oneself, to set aside the compulsive need to occupy all space with an activity or with sound. The din of such frenzied activity actually drowns out the possibility of connecting with God. It exchanges fluidity with God to a static system. Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Becoming more fluid in our relationship with God…David Lynden

Many of us often relate to God through a series of activities. We read our Bibles. We pray. We show up on Sunday morning and maybe put some money in the plate. Perhaps we are even involved in some ministries. And yet, like Tom, many of us also feel like this is an “on-paper” relationship with God. We could walk through the whole routine and never make “eye contact”, so to speak, with God. It feels more like an equation than it does a give-and-take fluid system of communication. It can feel choreographed, routine, static and…well, empty. Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Key Ministry, Resources, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

David Lynden…Connecting with God through the routines of life

There is something more about the gift of routines: they can create a contrast to help us see what might be considered small and insignificant. One of the mantras of wisdom that our autism support group used to rehearse is to celebrate the small, incremental progressions of our children with autism. And they were easier to see because the routines make them stand out so much more than our typical children. Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A great night at Parkside Church!

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

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Doing church” when kids struggle with social communication…

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

My one word…REST

Mike and Rachel suggest an alternative to New Year’s resolutions…Choose just one word that represents what you most hope God will do in you, and focus on it for an entire year. Continue reading

Posted in Key Ministry, Leadership, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Nurturing spiritual growth in kids with anxiety…Inclusion Fusion Library

Rhonda discusses the unique spiritual needs of children who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Social Phobia and Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder. Katie and Rhonda cover identification, accommodations and unique spiritual issues for each manifestation of anxiety from the church nursery to the high school youth group.
Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment