Tag Archives: Family Ministry

What’s causing the epidemic of mental illness in kids?

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Dr. G

Here are some of my hypotheses as to why over 20% of U.S. kids meet criteria for at least one mental disorder: Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Common mental health conditions can be MAJOR barriers to church involvement

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Dr. G

It’s particularly difficult to understand why parents who might be able to maintain a job and a household or kids who are able to school without one-on-one aides or lots of support services aren’t able to attend church. I’ll try to explain why in today’s post…and give churches a conceptual framework for anticipating the obstacles kids and adults might experience in attending church and addressing them so they no longer remain obstacles.
Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Thinking “Orange”: Things every kids need…with or without disabilities

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Dr. G

All of the needs listed above tend to be more acute for kids with disabilities and their siblings, and parents of kids with disabilities have fewer places to go outside of the church where they can receive help in meeting those needs. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Spiritual Development, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thinking Orange…Partnering with parents when kids have disabilities

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Dr. G

More so than with parents in the general population, church leaders may need to do more to earn the right to partner with parents from families affected by disabilities. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Thinking Orange: Supporting the family’s role in spiritual development when kids have disabilities…

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Dr. G

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 at church we’ve found to be helpful in facilitating spiritual growth?
Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who knew? Guest blogger Denise Schamens

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Dr. G

I asked him if he wanted to talk about God. He spelled out “yes.” I asked if he understood what it means to be baptized? He spelled out “it means to accept Jesus into your heart.” Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The experiment…

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Dr. G

In helping local churches to make their worship services, Christian education, small groups and service activities available online, we’re providing them the opportunity to introduce the church to families in an environment that works best for that family. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Obsessing on the story…Dave Lynden

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Dr. G

The “spiritual autism” that isolates us from others is penetrated, in part, by a story God has weaved into the fabric of our very being. And in that sense, it is not only we who are obsessing over a story, but God who is drawing us in- connecting with us, telling us we are part of the story! Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Now that I’m the parent of an adult…

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Dr. G

It would be difficult for me to be more proud of the person Leah has grown up to be. She has an incredible work ethic. She’s maintained commitments to her dance team, her Science Olympiad team, her music, her volunteer work, her work at Cleveland Clinic , and hopefully…her twelfth and final season on her summer swim team. She’s never backed down from any academic challenges. Her accomplishments through high school are more substantial than mine were at her age.
Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Stories | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Celebrating Rebecca’s ministry…

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Dr. G

I’d like to make a request of our readers…if you know Rebecca, or serve at a church where you’ve seen God use her service to be a blessing to others, please leave a comment below!
Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Leadership, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment