Bearing Witness to God’s Kingdom

How are you advocating so that all people share in, shape, and lead God’s community? How is the Holy Spirit working in you and your congregation, calling you to be a community in which everybody belongs and everybody serves? 

The Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America Disability Concerns ministries help congregations identify and equip members of the congregation who will help their congregation to engage with all members, people with disabilities in particular. For Disability Week this year (October 13 through 20), we are highlighting the value and importance of these advocates. 

Considering one in five people has a disability, that’s a lot of people congregations will be better prepared to welcome, to disciple, to learn from, and to watch lead. People like the longtime member with recent hearing loss. People like the teenager whose baptism you remember, who now struggles with depression. People like your neighbors down the street who haven’t been to church in four years because it’s too hard for their son, who has autism, to sit quietly. 

A disability advocate develops eyes to see the needs of people with disabilities and helps their church do the same. Usually that starts with the needs of the people in their own congregation. But it also means anticipating future needs so churches are ready to welcome people with disabilities who are looking for a church home and support people in the congregation when they acquire disabilities down the road. 

Read advocate stories in the attached bulletin insert, or listen to these people and others in brief videos on our YouTube channel called "Why I'm a Disability Advocate." 

Use the videos, bulletin insert, or attached flier and job description to help your congregation find a disability advocate.