Mark Stephenson

Many other websites have general discussions about this topic as well. Diversity Inc. discusses "What are the Best Words for Disability?" for a corporate setting, which I think applies easily to church settings as well. The comments about the challenge of translating the word "disability" into other languages opened a new horizon for me. Also in this article, the word "disabled" is flat-out rejected for use under any circumstances. One other mention, Kathie Snow's articles on people first language are thoughtful and practical. 

Like Ecclesiastes 3 says, "There is a time for everything." In my opinion, language matters, and what we call people and what we call the issues that people live with matters. So it's good to talk about words and language because language reflects and creates attitudes, especially in a forum like this. However, there's a time to refrain from such talk as well. When I'm with someone who is talking to several people with great joy and passion about the "handicapped people" at his church, I don't interrupt him or correct him in front of others. But I might pray for an opportunity to talk privately about "people first" language. Maybe such an opportunity will come, but then again, maybe not and that would be okay. On the other hand, if someone were talking about "crazies" and "retards" I would speak up right away, because bigotry cannot go unchallenged, or the impression is left that bigotry is okay.

Good questions!

ADA is a common acronym used in the US for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A2A is a resolution passed by the 25th General Synod of the United Church of Christ of which Alan Johnson is a pastor. Perhaps Alan could say more about this.

The Christian Reformed Church has passed similar resolutions including

• Toward Full Compliance with the Provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the Christian Reformed Church in North America approved by Synod 1993, and
• A Resolution on Disabilities approved by Synod 1985.

Also, individual churches are encouraged to adopt a resolution on disabilities to commit themselves to full inclusion and engagement with peole with disabilities. Here's an example.

Spitfire, Thanks for your kind words. I don't always live what I wrote - "Love is the closest we'll get to heaven right now." Nor can any of us, but this is what the church needs to be all about. As you say, living with MS in many ways depends on how the people around you respond to you. I hope many more people will read what you say. One of the best ways that the church can learn better how to love is by listening to and learning from people with disabilities, with the people with disabilities as the teachers and the temporarily able-bodied people as the students. Though the Bible says that those whom many judge to be weaker members are "indispensable," (1 Cor. 12:22) many people are put on the shelf when they develop disabilities of one kind or another. Your example of judgmental comments you have received is one way people shelve people with disabilities. Another way is by ignoring them. Still another, not asking people with disabilities to contribute their gifts of time, talent, and treasure in the ministry of the church. Thanks so much for sharing a gift in this forum, and God's blessings! Mark

Rich and Veronica,
Thanks so much for both of your comments. What we are talking about here is a truly RADICAL (in the sense of getting to the root) hospitality. Most of us are not up to the task. The cost seems to great. I think that it requires of us who are already in the church a willingness to greatly expand our idea of appropriate behavior while still holding people accountable for truly inappropriate behavior. AND it takes Holy-Spirit-Inspired wisdom to determine what is appropriate and what is inappropriate, along with a good dose of speaking the truth in love.

For example, is videotaping kids in church inappropriate? I hope not. I just did that a couple weeks ago myself. But is standing in front of others who are seated behind you inappropriate? Yes, it's inconsiderate of others. So maybe the video-tapers could be encouraged gently to step to the side of the church to avoid standing in front of others.

An even more pointed example, I know a church who had a man attending who had an intellectual disability. He had a habit of kissing women in church on the lips - in the narthex and even sliding down the pew to do so. Clearly inappropriate, and not be be tolerated. However, the church firmly believed that God had led him to be part of their fellowship. So instead of actively throwing him out, or making him feel so unwelcome that he left on his own, they asked other men in church to befriend him and stay with him anytime he was in the church building. A schedule was organized so that he would have at least one friend with him at all times. They explained to him that his kissing behavior was inappropriate and that they would help him remember not to do it. Over time, real friendships formed and the behavior ceased. Praise God for this church's radical hospitality. The whole congregation grew through the experience, but upfront there was a cost in terms of time and emotional energy, and a willingness to learn how to enfold and truly love this man in a way that embraced him and held him accountable. Isn't that a picture of how healthy churches embrace ALL of their members?

Mark

Thanks JJ. I'll spread the word to people I know in the Chicago area. Mark

I just put two notes about this on our Facebook page which you can find at www.facebook.com/crcdisabilityconcerns. I'd like to encourage you and other readers to "like" this page. Mark

:-) It helps to say them out loud. Here are a few more:
Gold bands form part
Bruce grips pink chips
Blue plant beach man sold log, threw sticks.
Mime whiz: funny