Tag Archives: children’s ministry

Winding down Inclusion Fusion…

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Dr. G

We’ll be featuring Joni’s Keynote video, Colleen’s interview with Joni and Ken Tada that many registrants missed last night, and presentations from Mike Woods, Emily Colson and Beth Golik. If you have a question about special needs/disability ministry, bring it. If you’re a parent/caregiver and you want to chat about your experience of church, c’mon in. We’ll be hanging out until approximately 10 PM Eastern. Continue reading →

Posted in Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Five Tips for Special Needs Ministry Leaders…Beth Golik

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Dr. G

Here are five tips and techniques that, in my experience, are key to get you started and keep you moving and growing. Continue reading →

Posted in Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I love adoption, but…

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Dr. G

When we say yes as a church to caring about vulnerable children and families, let’s also say yes to talking about related challenges too. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Families, Foster Care, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

To love adoptive and foster families, (5) be willing to listen and learn.

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Dr. G

Listen to the challenges we encounter as adoptive and foster families, such as being conspicuous in public due to adopting or fostering a child of a different race, considering dissolution or disruption of a child’s placement within our family in favor of another family who might be better equipped to meet the child’s needs, losing friends or family who don’t agree with our choice to adopt or foster, and struggling with the special needs of our child, whether known before placement or presenting as a surprise post-placement. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Controversies, Families, Foster Care, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

To love adoptive and foster families, (4) let our kids be kids…

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Dr. G

But they are kids, first and foremost. Welcome them as you would any other child. Work with their parents or guardians to figure out how to include them well.
Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Families, Foster Care, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

To love adoptive and foster families, (3) partner with us…

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Dr. G

So it makes sense that one way to love the adoptive and foster families in your church is to partner with us. In many ways, this looks just like family ministry does for everyone else. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

He won’t remember: Children and PTSD…Jolene Philo

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Dr. G

But very few churches talk about the babies, special needs babies, who also suffer from PTSD. Because we don’t want to believe they feel pain. Very few churches talk about children already traumatized before birth or children traumatized by direct or observed trauma.
Because we good church people don’t want to believe they remember.
Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion Fusion, Mental Health, PTSD, Resources, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

#2…Churches should become trauma and attachment-informed

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Dr. G

So, church leaders, what can you do to become trauma- and attachment-informed and to then use that knowledge to serve adoptive and foster families well? Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Controversies, Families, Foster Care, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Jeff Davidson…No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Dr. G

At first, it was difficult coming to terms with laying down my dreams. Like any special-needs dad, it’s hard emotionally to reach the point where you realize the dreams, goals, and plans you had for your child aren’t going to happen the way you hoped. But whose dream was it anyway? It wasn’t God’s dream. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Inclusion Fusion, Intellectual Disabilities, Stories, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Are parents of kids with ADHD stigmatized at church?

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Dr. G

Would it make more sense to err on the side of grace in how we view families of kids with ADHD, at least until we know them well enough to feel we could walk in their shoes? Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Controversies, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments