Tag Archives: church

Outwardly Focused Disability Ministry…Guest Blogger Ryan Wolfe

So what does it mean when an individual is placed on a guardian waiting list? It means that this individual has no family, friends or relatives who are willing or able to advocate for this individual. Imagine for a minute what that really means. Often it means that every person in this individual’s life is paid to be there. Imagine how you would feel as a human being if the only people in your life were paid to be there. Think of the isolation, loneliness and vulnerability that you may feel.
Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Stuff that’s too good to ignore…Rhett Smith

Rhett Smith shared a very powerful presentation for Inclusion Fusion 2012 in which he examined how our views on anxiety often exclude those struggling with it from our church communities…along with the ways in which God uses our anxiety for good Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stuff that’s too good to ignore…Gillian Marchenko

We’re asking our leaders to forward the links to this post/video to pastors, church staff members or families who would have interest in Gillian’s presentation on loss and grief in parenting children with special needs, along with other Inclusion Fusion presentations in the Stuff That’s Too Good to Ignore series.
Continue reading

Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Resources, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stuff that’s too good to ignore…Matthew Stanford

Matt’s talk should be required viewing for pastors and church staff seeking to more effectively minister to families impacted by mental illness. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Next Steps for the Disability Ministry Movement…

God is clearly raising up many empowered leaders to advance the cause of including families impacted by disabilities at church. But what common strategies should leaders and organizations adopt in order for the movement to advance? Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Final Day of Inclusion Fusion 2012! Chairman’s Choices…

Today, I want to highlight some presentations that address a personal cause of mine…the inclusion of kids and families at church who struggle with mental illness. Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Parents, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hey Kidmin Friends! Join Us For Inclusion Fusion 2012!

We hope to bring leaders together from across the church…senior pastors, children’s pastors, church staff members, disability ministry professionals, volunteers, parents and caregivers to brainstorm ways of welcoming and including including more kids with disabilities and their families into our local churches. Continue reading

Posted in Adoption, Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Parents, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faces of the Movement…Katie Wetherbee

As we look forward to Inclusion Fusion, we are going to tackle this issue of bullying…and more importantly, focus on bullying prevention. Pastors, KidMin leaders and volunteers need to know how to proactively prevent bullying, because sadly, this kind of behavior can—and does—occur in churches, too. Continue reading

Posted in Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Barb Dittrich to host NIGHTLY Tweetchats during Inclusion Fusion 2012!

We’ll be doing a wrap-up Tweetchat EVERY NIGHT throughout the Web Summit from 9:00-10:00 PM Eastern…longer if everyone is having a good time. You’ll have the opportunity to connect and share ideas with many of our Inclusion Fusion Faculty, and interact with other pastors, church staff, volunteers and family members from anywhere in the world.
Continue reading

Posted in Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment