Everybody belongs. Everybody serves.
Miriam
Disability
Staci
Safe Church
Michele
I did not realize how much she would contribute to everyone’s learning, how the classroom would became a place where the societal barriers between people of various abilities would temporarily break down.
During discussion time, a participant asked what a church could do if a person did not want to share that they were struggling with a mental health issue. The answer is straightforward, but not simple.
How can we make a positive difference in our churches and communities in working with people with disabilities? Compiled by Ann Ballard, this list gets you started. Have fun and get going!
When I was 14, my 38-year-old mother sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). When Mom came home from the hospital, her personality had changed dramatically. How can the church help?
1 in 4 Americans annually experiences mental health issues, yet less than one-third receives appropriate care. The Christian Citizen provides insights for people with mental illnesses.
This newsletter from Mental Health Ministries includes information and resources for faith leaders, family members and friends and who may find the holidays a difficult time.
These ideas give brief, clear, helpful guidance for ministering with people affected by disabilities, especially pastors, elders, deacons, and care team members.
Through the apostle Paul, God paints a vision for his people in 1 Corinthians 12 as one body, together in Christ. No one excludes another. (The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!”) No one self-excludes.
United Way in the U.S. and in Canada has done magnificent work compiling extensive, up-to-date, and user friendly databases of local agencies and resources in both countries.
A guidebook to help congregations care for people dealing with disabilities and other long-term needs.
Here's a list of some of our favorite on-line sites for mental health. The variety is great, there is bound to be something that will offer help for you, your church or your church leadership.
Here is a simple prayer for Diversity/Disability Awareness Worship Service.
Created in Your image we spill coffee. Created in Your image we lose our memories. . .
Here is a bulletin insert that describes the ministry of Disability Concerns.
The author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus was “made like his brothers and sisters in every way” (2:17, TNIV). But can almighty God truly understand human limitations, even long-term limitations we call disabilities? At advent and Christmas especially we wonder at the mystery and meaning of Christ's incarnation.
The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship has a variety of resources available for ministry to those living with disabilities.
Susie Angel talks about the rejection and the welcome she experienced in churches as a person with cerebral palsy. She says, "God needed me for a purpose to be the way I am, that purpose was to teach able-bodied people that it was okay to be different."
Learn how to communicate with people with disabilities. These one- or two-minute videos show how to improve and ease communication.
Are you planning a Disability Worship Service? Wondering what to do? Perhaps setting up a panel discussion as part of the message will work for you and your church!
An extensive list of books about disabilities and the Christian Community.
A responsive reading
A responsive prayer
To offer at a Disability Awareness Sunday
To offer at a Disability Awareness Sunday
A sermon by Rev. Dr. James Vanderlaan based on Luke 14:1-24.