Tag Archives: youth ministry

It’s the hidden disabilities that keep kids out of church

The study found that the children most likely to be excluded from church are those with autism spectrum disorders and common mental health conditions – anxiety, depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder and ADHD. Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The sexual revolution, our kids and suicide…a new look

Suicidal thinking and the severity of suicidal behavior are HIGHLY correlated with sexual activity in teens. Continue reading

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

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

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 , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five reasons churches shouldn’t have vaccine policies

But excluding unvaccinated or undervaccinated children would mean turning away a significant group of families. Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Autism, Controversies, Families, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The struggles of kids with mental illness in a sexualized culture

Is it our unwillingness to affirm the risky behaviors that all too often lead to tragic consequences or a hopelessly broken, messed up culture that tells emotionally vulnerable teens that they’re defined by who they’re attracted to and their desirability to potential sexual partners? Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Controversies, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

HIV and other blood-borne pathogens in children’s ministry…Shannon Dingle

So what should you do if there’s a child with HIV in your church? The same thing you should do otherwise: use best practices for first aid and show love to the child and parents. Continue reading

Posted in Adoption, Controversies, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Updated: More stories of disability and church…

We think the stories are an accurate reflection of the progress the church has made…and how far we have yet to go… Continue reading

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Are parents of kids with ADHD stigmatized at church?

Would it make more sense to err on the side of grace in how we view families of kids with ADHD, at least until we know them well enough to feel we could walk in their shoes? Continue reading

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What keeps kids with ADHD out of church?

“People in the church believe they can tell when a disability ends and bad parenting begins.” Continue reading

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Updated…How are kids and teens with ADHD different?

Dr. Barkley’s theories suggest that ADHD is a disorder not only of attention, but of executive functioning as well. Executive functioning describes a set of cognitive abilities involved in controlling and regulating other abilities and behaviors. Such functions are necessary in initiating goal-directed behavior, suppressing impulses arising from lower brain centers, and planning future behavior.
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Posted in ADHD, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment