Michael beates's concern with disability issues began nearly 30 years ago when his eldest child was born with multiple profound disabilities. Now, as more families like his are affected by a growing number of difficulties ranging from down syndrome to autism to food allergies, the need for church programs and personal paradigm shifts is greater than ever.

Working through key bible passages on brokenness and disability while answering hard questions, Michael offers helpful principles for believers and their churches. He shows us how to embrace our own brokenness and then to embrace those who are more physically and visibly broken, bringing hope and vision to those of us who need it most.

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Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability

Same lake, different boat is a transformational work--designed to renew our minds to think biblically about disability in order that our lives, our relationships, and our congregations might wholly reflect Christ. When the church attempts to function without all of its parts, the body of Christ becomes disabled.

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Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality

As parents of a son with disabilities, Thomas E. Reynolds argues that the christian story is one of strength coming from weakness, of wholeness emerging from brokenness, and of power in vulnerability. In vulnerable communion, reynolds draws upon that personal experience and a diverse body of literature to empower churches and individuals to foster deeper hospitality toward persons with disabilities.

Reynolds and his wife know what it's like to be misunderstood by a church community. Vulnerable communion will be a useful resource for any student, church leader, theologian, or lay person seeking to discover the power of God revealed through weakness. He offers valuable biblical, theological, and pastoral tools to understand and welcome those with disabilities.

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Leading a Special Needs Ministry

What do you need to lead a special needs ministry? If you're not asking this question as a church leader, you are already behind. Special needs ministry is no longer a niche topic, but at the heart of serving communities well. Author amy fenton lee offers easily referenced guidance for:Caring for parents beginning the diagnosis process Vital stats/info regarding special needsDeveloping programs, polices and proceduresSpecial needs ministry leadershipProviding education for volunteers Example ministry documents and moreThis comprehensive guidebook is long overdue.

We need to meet families, families of every kind, and love them right where they are. Leading a special needs ministry is a practical how-to guide for the family ministry team working to welcome one or 100 children with special needs. Families in your community are asking this question in every area of life--not just church.

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Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, and Congregations

A congregational community is an ideal place to share and strengthen faith, form lasting relationships, and develop special gifts and talents. Too often, though, people with developmental and other disabilities lack the opportunities and supports to fully participate in the life of their faith community.

Thatâ€™s why families and service providers need to read this groundbreaking guidebook—and share a copy with congregations that want to become places of welcome and belonging for people with disabilities. Bringing his practical ideas to life with anecdotes, community, architectural, youth, programmatic, this how-to book gives readers workable strategies and photocopiable forms for identifying â€œindicators of welcome, and adultslearn how service providers can actively support the spiritual preferences, Erik Carter helps readersreflect on how welcoming their congregation is—and could be—for people with disabilities and their familiesarticulate and pursue a bold vision of inclusion throughout their congregation, strengths, inclusive religious education programs for children, and examples of successful strategies, quotes, and needs of people with disabilitiesTo make inclusion work in any faith community, and other barriers to inclusiondesign appropriate, â€ encouraging community outreach, city, or statetake steps to break down attitudinal, and gathering important information about the support needs of people with disabilities and their families.

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Every Child Welcome: A Ministry Handbook for Including Kids with Special Needs

A guide to children’s ministry that serves families with special needs Jesus set a high standard when He said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. The call is not limited to children who will sit quietly at His feet and listen, who color between the lines, who raise their hands and wait to be called upon, and who work at grade level.

For leaders and volunteers, every Child Welcome will provide the knowledge and tools to • create a welcoming environment before kids arrive. Experienced children’s ministry leaders, and parents of special-needs children themselves, the authors are superbly equipped to offer a thoughtful, thorough approach to creating a positive environment for children―one where all children will be able to digest the important concepts being taught.

Children’s ministries are responsible to be ready to bring children with disabilities to Jesus’ feet too. Every child welcome is the guide for leaders and volunteers to assist in purposeful planning and skill development for a ministry inclusive of children with unique needs.

The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God

Inspiring and challenging study that rethinks the bible’s teaching on disabilityA theologian whose life experience includes growing up alongside a brother with Down syndrome, Amos Yong in this book rereads and reinterprets biblical texts about human disability, arguing that the way we read biblical texts, not the Bible itself, is what causes us to marginalize persons with disabilities.

Revealing and examining the underlying stigma of disability that exists even in the church, Yong shows how the Bible offers good news to people of all abilities ― and he challenges churches to become more inclusive communities of faith.

Why Do I Suffer?: Suffering & the Sovereignty of God

Whether it comes from someone who has just lost a loved one, been diagnosed with an incurable illness or even just surveyed the plight of the poor in the third world. A few days after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 the question that was being asked around the world was – Where was God in this? John Currid brings Biblical teaching to bear.

God does work in suffering, he is not a worried observer unwilling or unable to intervene, rather he has a purpose at work and is in control. Why does god allow suffering? It’s a question that, in one form or another rears its head time and again.

Scoot Over and Make Some Room: Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs

With beautiful wisdom and profound convictions, this manifesto will empower you to notice who's missing in the spaces you live in, to make room for your own kids and for those others who need you and your open heart. This is your invitation to a table where space is unlimited and every voice can be heard.

Because when you open your life to the wild beauty of every unique individual, you'll discover your own colorful soul and the extraordinary, abundant heart of God. Author and instagram star heather avis has made it her mission to introduce the world to the unique gifts and real-life challenges of those who have been pushed to the edges of society.

Mama to three adopted kids - two with down Syndrome - Heather encourages us all to take a breath, whisper a prayer, laugh a little, and make room for the wildflowers. In a world of divisions and margins, look, those who act, and grow a little differently are all too often shoved aside. She shares heartbreaking moments when her kids were denied a place at the table and when she had to fight for their voices to be heard.

Scoot over and make some room is part inspiring narrative and part encouraging challenge for us all to listen and learn from those we're prone to ignore. Heather tells hilarious stories of her growing kids, spontaneous dance parties, forgotten pants, and navigating the challenges and joys of parenthood.

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Autism and Your Church: Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism has evolved from an unfamiliar term to an everyday reality for millions of people. Bookstore shelves are filled with resources that address how Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD affects children and adults at school, work, and home. But what about the church? what about your church? how can it become a welcoming place for individuals and families affected by ASD?Autism and Your Church offers practical ways to welcome and include individuals with ASD into the full life of your congregation.

This resource will enable church leaders to - appreciate those with ASD as persons created in God s image- learn about six common areas of difference in individuals with ASD. Discover ten strategies for including people with ASD in the life of your church. Develop an action plan for ongoing ministry with children and adults who have ASD.

A reproducible resources section includes interview and permission forms, a coordinator s job description, a sample Individual Spiritual Formation Plan, and more.

Unbroken Faith: Spiritual Recovery for the Special Needs Parent

Diane dokko kim comes alongside families as a fellow special-needs parent to help reconcile the premise of a good God with the devastating realities of raising a child with disability. How could god let this happen? i can't do this! how can my child have a meaningful life? Where is God in all this?"When a parent hears that their child has a disability, hearts and hopes are broken.

. Unbroken faith identifies and treats the crippling fear, guilt, and inadequacy that parents of children with special needs can encounter. Diane courageously articulates deep-seated, unspoken doubts and fears you may have but are afraid to voice: Why my child? Why us? This is not the way it's supposed to be!Why won't God fix this? Doesn't He care?I'm the wrong parent for this child.

But faith doesn't have to be. I'm not qualified. No one understands what I'm going through. What will happen to my child? I can never die. Dokko kim's biblical-based encouragement will help you understand that you are not alone, that God gets it, and that God's Word is entirely relevant to the raw and messy yet hallowed spaces of special needs parenting.

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