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Category Archives: Stories
Harmony Hensley: God’s Grace in the Voice Mail
I listened to the message again and just smiled. I was reminded that sometimes in ministry we get so caught up in the litany of tasks and events that we execute that we lose sight of the real impact they have on those we serve. The Prom isn’t just a party. It’s a night where the playing field is level, the kingdom advances, and a people who have been marginalized and often forgotten are celebrated. So it only makes sense that our friends would begin counting down the days for their next dance the moment the DJ stops the music. They thirst for the same thing you and I do – to belong. Continue reading →
Posted in Inclusion, Stories, Strategies
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Tagged Harmony Hensley, Key Ministry, Outward Focused Inclusion, The Prom, Vineyard Community Church
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The Luau
“So, back to that Friday night party and the Sunday morning worship that followed it. It’s not about the party at all, is it? It’s about being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to families who are affected by disability. It’s about meeting them where they are, with lots of love and no judgment. When we do this, we have a rare chance to serve up a little slice of Heaven right here on Earth. And that’s where the real party is!” Continue reading →
Posted in Key Ministry, Stories, Uncategorized
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Tagged Abby Hamilton, FBC Luau 2011, Fellowship Bible Church, Key Ministry, Rebecca Hamilton
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Be Not Anxious…”Doing Church” With Separation Anxiety or Panic Disorder
Today, we’ll continue our look at challenges church participation poses for children and teens with anxiety disorders by discussing specific situations likely to cause distress for kids with separation anxiety and panic disorder.
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Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Stories, Strategies
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Tagged anxiety, church, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Panic Disorder, Separation Anxiety, Stephen Grcevich MD
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Challenges Kids With Anxiety Face in “Doing Church”
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 →
A Child Shall Lead Them…Update
This past March, I shared a post describing a 14 year-old volunteer who had served in Breathe Respite events held at my church who approached our senior pastor with a fleshed-out proposal for the church to host a luau this summer as an outreach to 50 adults with developmental disabilities living in our community.
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One Family’s Story
our family’s experience of a child with a disability has made me aware that the impact of the disability isn’t limited to the nuclear family but affects the extended family as well. Second, while we as the church can offer to do what we can to support families affected by disability, as a psychiatrist and as a brother, I can’t fully comprehend how the 24 hour a day, seven day a week experience of being responsible for a child with a significant disability colors one’s understanding and attitude toward God and experience of trying to be a part of a community of faith through the local church. We can do everything we possibly can to reach out to families of kids with disabilities who aren’t actively involved with church, but we also need to be slow to judge parents who fail to take us up on the offer until we’ve walked in their shoes.
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Posted in Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Parents, Stories
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Tagged Disability Ministry, Key Ministry, Stephen Grcevich MD
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Autism Awareness Day: Guest Blogger Colleen Swindoll
Insight for Living is among the most prominent Christian organizations to champion the cause of kids with special needs and their families. Chuck Swindoll has dedicated broadcasts to addressing the spiritual needs of parents raising kids with emotional, behavioral, developmental or physical disabilities. His family has had firsthand experience with the topic. His youngest daughter (Colleen) is raising a son who has been diagnosed with autism. Continue reading →
And a Child Shall Lead Them
While our focus at Key Ministry is to help churches serve, welcome and include families of kids with hidden disabilities with the intent that the kids and their families will greatly benefit from being in a church where they can come to know and love Jesus, there’s a huge potential for spiritual growth among kids given the opportunity to serve in such a ministry.
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Thinking “Orange”: How churches can pursue families of kids with disabilities
Most kids who have a hidden disability can be included in age-appropriate church programming without “buddies” when ministry leaders are attuned to the effect sensory issues, transitions, program design and specific activities have on kids with common conditions like ADHD, anxiety and Asperger’s Disorder. Continue reading →
Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Ministry Environments, Parents, Stories, Strategies
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Tagged Bay Presbyterian Church, Church4EveryChild, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Libby Peterson, Orange Conference, Stephen Grcevich MD, Vineyard Community Church
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One Family’s Story: Rebecca and Jamie Adam…following up
As a church we really need to emphasize the importance of that child’s faith over any outward behavior. Not every child has the ability to sit quietly for an entire sermon or look and act appropriately in front of adults, but every child has the ability to have a loving relationship with Jesus. Continue reading →
Posted in ADHD, Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Parents, Spiritual Development, Stories
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Tagged ADHD, Asperger's Disorder, children's ministry, church, Church4EveryChild, Dr. Jamie Adam, Key Ministry, Parents, Rebecca Adam, Stories
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Church4EveryChild 