Tag Archives: Hidden Disabilities

Need Project podcast spotlights Key Ministry, hidden disabilities

In my conversation with Bob, we discussed the state of mental health care in the U.S., explored the reasons why kids with mental illness aren’t typically served in the context of existing disability ministries, examined some of the struggles churches experience in serving those with hidden disabilities and shared strategies some churches are utilizing to reach families impacted by disabilities lacking meaningful involvement with a local church. Continue reading

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If churches knew how many people mental illness impacts, they’d be more interested in reaching them

The segment of the population impacted by disability, especially families impacted by mental illness, trauma and developmental disabilities, would in my mind represent the ultimate “low-hanging fruit” for local churches Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Game of Chess With No Winners…Mike Pitts

We need information that will help us include, celebrate, and minister to your teen’s uniqueness. We don’t want to label your student or give them an IEP at church. We are the church-not the public school. We want to make them feel wanted and included. Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Barriers to inclusion…What if nobody knows the kid needs help?

Our existing disability ministries typically do a very good job of meeting the needs of families of children easily identifiable physical disabilities, or obvious weaknesses weaknesses in intellectual capacity or adaptive functioning. But what happens when the disability isn’t so obvious? Continue reading

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Key Ministry training at Parkside Church

Carrie will be sharing strategies for effectively including kids with mental illness, trauma and developmental disabilities into Sunday School settings and offering practical tips for managing behavior for children who struggle with impulse control and self-regulation. I’ll be offering an overview of why including kids with hidden disabilities and their families is so important for the local church, and discussing how common conditions including ADHD, anxiety and Asperger’s Disorder may impact spiritual development in children and teens. Continue reading

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Mike Pitts…Hidden Disabilities in Middle School Ministry

Somewhere along the line we have unintentionally and unknowing catered our ministries to the “typical” students. Continue reading

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The Mission Field Next Door: Mark 2:1-12

When was the last time you took a chance in order to introduce a friend or a neighbor to Jesus? After all, we understand the stakes to be a lot higher. The friends were seeking to relieve their friend from the burden of ten or twenty years of paralysis. We who call ourselves Christians know the stakes are MUCH greater. Eternity is on the line! Continue reading

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Church transitions and kids with disabilities

Transition times all too often result in kids and families falling away from church programming. With a little understanding of how transitions may impact kids with specific disabilities and some advance planning, church staff, volunteers and parents can help most have positive experiences as they progress into their age-appropriate ministry environments at the start of the new program year. Continue reading

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Weekend reading

I’d like to share some suggested reading in the event you missed these posts the first time around… Continue reading

Posted in ADHD, Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The “Chief Mum” joins the Key Ministry team…Interview with Carrie Lupoli

What an eye opening experience it was for me to witness what was happening to kids with hidden disabilities around the world. Continue reading

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