Tag Archives: Inclusion

We’re looking for churches to welcome families impacted by disability. HUNDREDS of churches…

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Dr. G

We seek to connect families with churches close to where they live. We need LOTS and LOTS of churches willing and prepared to welcome families impacted by disability. And that’s where you come in. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Special Needs Ministry, Strategies | Tagged churches, Disability Ministry, Inclusion, Key for Families, Key Ministry, Mike Woods, network, Not Alone, outreach, Sandra Peoples, Special Needs Ministry, Special Needs Parenting | 6 Comments

Special needs parents…Do you feel cheated?

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Dr. G

Don’t you feel cheated about the life you imagined for you and your son? Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Intellectual Disabilities, Key Ministry, Special Needs Ministry | Tagged Autism, cerebral palsy, Disability Ministry, Family Ministry, Goodnight Superman, Inclusion, Jeff Davidson, Key Ministry, marriage, No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches, parenting, Rising Above Ministries, Special Needs Ministry | 1 Comment

What are the stats on disability and church?

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Dr. G

The oft-quoted stat that 85-95% of special needs families are unchurched isn’t supported by any research, so I really think we – as people of the Truth – ought to stop repeating it. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Inclusion, Intellectual Disabilities, Key Ministry, Parents, Special Needs Ministry | Tagged Autism, church, Disability Ministry, disability statistics, Down Syndrome, Erik Carter, Inclusion, intellectual and developmental disabilities, Melinda Jones Ault, Shannon Dingle, Special Needs Ministry | 61 Comments

Making church irresistible for kids with the most common disabilities…

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Dr. G

I all too often meet families who lack meaningful involvement with a local church because the environments in which we “do church” present unique challenges to kids with common mental health conditions. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Resources | Tagged children's ministry, Disability Ministry, Family Ministry, Inclusion, Irresistible Church, Joni and Friends, Key Ministry, mental illness, Special Needs Ministry, student ministry | 2 Comments

Inviting our friends and neighbors to the party…

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Dr. G

Is it wrong when we choose to withhold Jesus from the people whose paths we cross? Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged Be the church, children's ministry, Disability Ministry, evangelism, Family Ministry, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mike Vonderau, outsiders, student ministry, tax collectors | 2 Comments

We had no casseroles…

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Dr. G

My daughter, when she was thirteen was hit by a car and fortunately was fine, except for a very bad broken leg. The church organized a brigade of casserole makers, the neighbors brought casseroles, friends, families, everybody. Six months before that, Christina had spent two months on a psychiatric ward, and we had no casseroles. And I’m not blaming the church or the neighbors or anything…because of the stigma, we didn’t tell people. Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged 60 Minutes, casseroles, church, Disability Ministry, Inclusion, Key Ministry, mental health, mental health ministry, mental illness | 2 Comments

A New Year brings a new relationship…

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Dr. G

As we embark upon a new ministry year, I’m especially enthused about the relationship we’re building with Sandra Peoples and her team of writers at Not Alone, the special needs parenting website launched in 2013 by our friend and former colleague Mike Woods Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Key Ministry, Parents, Resources | Tagged Disability Ministry, Emily Colson, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Not Alone, Sandra Peoples, Special Needs Ministry, Special Needs Parenting | 1 Comment

A place for families looking for a church where they’ll be welcomed…

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Dr. G

Our challenge in the year ahead will expand by helping families impacted by disability connect with the rapidly growing movement of churches prepared to welcome them. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged children's ministry, Church4EveryChild, Disability Ministry, families, Family Ministry, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Not Alone, Special Needs Ministry | 2 Comments

Start with Hello

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Dr. G

I am pleased to announce the release of Start with Hello, the first of many how-to booklets that fit together in Joni and Friends new Irresistible Church series. Designed to help a church launch or re-launch sustainable, effective special needs ministry, Start with Hello walks the ministry leader through five steps to starting a special needs ministry. While each church’s journey is different, with different dreams, resources, needs and people, we’ve found that working through the five step progression puts a church on the right path to becoming an irresistible church. Continue reading →