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Tag Archives: Disability Ministry
JAM Session Rewind
I’ve had the opportunity to present at major international medical conferences, as well as regional and national ministry conferences. I’ll personally attest to the quality of the training and resources distributed during the JAM Session in Cincinnati and the JAM Sessions to come. Not only will you receive the opportunity to interact with some top-flight people, but you’ll benefit from the ongoing relationships you’ll develop with our trainers and your fellow participants. Continue reading
“Thinking Orange”: The advantages of an integrated ministry strategy
When we think about ministry to the family as opposed to ministry to the child with a disability, collective intentionality is required to ensure the child’s disability doesn’t serve as an impediment to the ability of other family members to participate in activities and programs central to the church’s philosophy of ministry. Continue reading
“Thinking Orange”: Things Every Kid…With or Without Disabilities Needs
Why do I want churches to rethink their approach to ministry for all families, but especially families in which one or more kids has a disability? Kids with disabilities, their siblings and their parents are frequently starving for relationships because of the social isolation that results from the functional limitations of the disabilities in question, both hidden and visible.
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“Thinking Orange”…Family Values: Partnering with parents of kids with disabilities
Nothing is more important than someone’s relationship with God Think of how challenging this principle is to implement on a daily basis for folks in vocational ministry. Imagine how hard this is for parents of kids with disabilities! Based upon the limited data in the research literature, parents of kids with hidden disabilities are more likely to be single parents. Their kids are likely to require far more of their time and attention. Recommended treatments are time consuming and often expensive. In addition to all of the other “idols” that distract us from God in modern life, the day to day needs of kids with hidden disabilities leave parents with less “margin” to pursue their relationship with God. Continue reading
Thinking “Orange”: Warm Hearts…The family’s role in spiritual development is magnified when kids have disabilities…as well as the church’s role (Part Two)
I’ve found many church leaders to be very short-sighted in their conceptualization of disability ministry, resulting in the need for more family-centered approaches. How are the kids in the family supposed to come to know and love Jesus if we’re not prepared to welcome the parents to church…and all the other activities we’ve found to be helpful in facilitating spiritual growth? Continue reading
Thinking Orange: “Warm Hearts”…The family’s role in spiritual development is magnified when kids have disabilities…as well as the church’s role (Part One of Two)
Parents of kids with disabilities are often dragging along quite a bit of baggage. Many of them have their own struggles and limitations that undermine the best of intentions when it comes to their personal spiritual development and the spiritual development of their kids. Follow-through may be difficult for many parents, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t want to. The church plays an invaluable role by walking with them, encouraging them and helping them to take the next step. Continue reading
Posted in ADHD, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Parents, Spiritual Development, Strategies
Tagged ADHD, children's ministry, Church4EveryChild, Disability Ministry, Family Ministry, Harmony Hensley, Katie Wetherbee, Key Ministry, Orange Conference, Reggie Joiner, spiritual development, Think Orange
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To Make “Orange” You Need Red in Addition to Yellow
We’ll be focusing on the unique challenges involved in partnering with families of kids with disabilities around the spiritual development of their children, and explore strategies churches may use to partner with such families. In doing so, it is our hope that the church will understand the advantages of the “Orange” strategy in ministry to kids with hidden disabilities and their families. Continue reading
What Do Vaccines, Autism and Dr. Wakefield Have To Do With Christianity?
When we stop seeking the truth, we stop seeking God. While I failed in reflecting grace in my Facebook post, I was angered by Dr. Wakefield’s deliberate attempt to misrepresent truth, and the harm that resulted to kids and families loved by God in the process. Continue reading
Posted in Autism, Key Ministry
Tagged Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorders, BMJ, Disability Ministry, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, Key Ministry, Measles, MMR, Parents, The Lancet, Vaccines
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What Christmas is All About
Charlie Brown’s tree reminds me a little of the kids we serve. People make lots of condescending remarks about the tree, along with the person who brought the tree, but with a little love, the tree turns out to be beautiful. Continue reading
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