Tag Archives: church

Disability and abortion: How should the church respond?

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Dr. G

Show the love and grace we received from Christ with others, including those who have had abortions and those who are experiencing difficulties as parents of children with disabilities. Preach the gospel faithfully to those who did and those who didn’t choose life. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Controversies, Key Ministry | Tagged abortion, church, culture of life, Disability, Down Syndrome, grace, John Knight, Shannon Dingle, Special Needs Ministry | Leave a comment

Why disability history strengthens my pro-life beliefs

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Dr. G

We say we’re pro-life but our history concerned people with disabilities – both in the church and outside – says that maybe we aren’t. Maybe we value lives differently depending on what quantifiable contribution the person can make to society. Maybe we don’t want to talk about this because it hurts to acknowledge our hypocrisy. Maybe it’s easier for us to shout about the indignities against life seen in those videos than to admit the indignities against life when we use ability and disability as a measure of who is welcome and accommodated in our places of worship.
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Posted in Controversies | Tagged abortion, church, Disability, Disability Ministry, Martin Luther, Planned Parenthood, Pro-Life, Shannon Dingle, wrongful birth | 2 Comments

If we value life, we don’t get to choose which lives we value

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Dr. G

I also am saddened by the treatment of those considering abortion or those who have had one or more abortions by those who claim faith. Often, that faith perspective only offers judgment and proclamation of sin with little to no grace or mercy. Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Key Ministry | Tagged abortion, church, Disability Ministry, forgiveness, grace, mercy, pre-born, Pro-Life, Shannon Dingle, Special Needs Ministry | 3 Comments

What if the church destroyed the foster care system as we know it?

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Dr. G

If one family from every three churches committed to adopt one child and those three churches committed to support that family, there wouldn’t be children waiting to be adopted in foster care. Continue reading →

Posted in Foster Care | Tagged church, Foster Care, foster families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, natural systems of support, Shannon Dingle, wraparound services | 181 Comments

A great training opportunity for our friends in the Midwest…

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Dr. G

We’re delighted that Ryan Wolfe will be joining Joni Eareckson Tada, Steve Bundy and the crew from Joni and Friends for their Hope in the Midst of Suffering Conference at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN. Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Training Events | Tagged Ben Rhodes, church, Disability Ministry, Hope in the Midst of Suffering, Inclusion, Indiana Wesleyan University, Joni and Friends, Joni Eareckson Tada, Kathy McReynolds, Key Ministry, marginalization, Ryan Wolfe, Steve Bundy, Training | Leave a comment

Simply the right thing to do…

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Dr. G

Can we still call ourselves churches if we don’t care enough about others to consider their lives and their needs? Or would it be more accurate to paint over “church” and replace it with “country club” or “social group” instead? Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged children's ministry, church, Disability Ministry, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Shannon Dingle, Special Needs Ministry, student ministry | 1 Comment

3 helpful responses when countries close international adoption

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Dr. G

So how should we, as the church, respond when countries close to international adoption? Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Key Ministry | Tagged 99 Balloons, Adoption, church, closed, international adoption, Joni and Friends, outwardly-focused ministry, Shannon Dingle, Wheels For The World | 2 Comments

How kids with disabilities are challenged when a new program year begins…

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Dr. G

As a new school year is beginning here in Northeast Ohio, many kids and families will face a daunting challenge at church.
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Posted in Advocacy, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged anxiety, children's ministry, church, Inclusion, Key Ministry, middle school ministry, sensory processing, social anxiety, transitions, youth ministry | Leave a comment

The mental health needs of kids in foster care

Posted on August 15, 2015 by Dr. G

If 60-85% of kids in foster care have significant mental health conditions, is your church prepared to welcome those kids and teens into your existing children’s and youth ministry programming?
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