Barb shares five reasons YOU should sign up to be a parent mentor!
Top 5 Reasons YOU May Want to Step Up as a Mentor
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Barb Dittrich
“Fear Not,” Pastor
If pastors step back, they may find that their fear is larger than it need be when it comes to special needs ministry.
No, He Won’t Get Better
There may be no medical cure to my son’s diagnosis but I hold the key to hope.
6 Ways Sharing Empowers Parents
“Sharing Knowledge Makes Us Stronger” is the theme for the 2018 World Hemophilia Day. But here are 6 ways that theme is relevant for every parent raising an exceptional child.
Welcoming Barb to Her New Role with Key Ministry
It is my great privilege to introduce myself to the Key Ministry audience and participants today as the new Director of Education.
We Are Family?
If the church family treated those with disabilities and special needs as they would one of their own family members, how different the Body of Christ might look, especially to the outside world.
Five Phrases Special-Needs Parents May Never Hear
Barb shares 5 phrases special-needs parents never hear, and explains why she supports Special-Needs Parents Appreciation Month.
3 Things I Didn’t Expect as a Special Needs Parent
Even through difficulty, the unexpected parts of special needs parenting can be a pleasant surprise.
Dear Pastor, PLEASE Stop the Us/Them Talk
We can accomplish so much more together than we ever can apart, so let’s stop dividing the Church by using the us/them mindset.
Dad, Government, or God?
We misplace our priorities and increase our stress when we put government before the father of our children and our Father in heaven.
When the End of the School Year is in Sight
Parent panic can set in as the end of the school year draws closer. Here’s how to fight it.
Are Your Expectations Reasonable?
Nothing will drive two people farther apart than each having an opposing set of expectations. That can be painfully true despite our best intentions in serving people of diverse abilities in a church setting.
THIS Is Your Mission Field
With the way the “R-word” is thrown around by teens as a pejorative in today’s culture, there are some enormous lessons to be learned. Spending a week helping youth to reframe the way they view the most vulnerable in their community could change the world!
Dear Parent, Let’s STOP Being Our Own Worst Enemies
Parenting a child with a serious diagnosis is tough enough. Let’s stop being our own worst enemies.
When Christians Can Help Fellow Sojourners But Won’t
Not every person is called for disability ministry or special needs inclusion to be the centerpiece of their personal mission. However, every person is called to do something when it is within their scope of ability and experience to help.
Special Needs in the Rear View Mirror
Although the mountains we face today may seem daunting, encouragement arises when we look at special needs in the context of history.
Top 3 Reasons You Need to Know About World Rare Disease Day
People may be inclined to shrug it off, but here are 3 reasons why you need to know about rare disease day.
What If This Were Your Lead Pastor?
This is Christ’s mandate for us to us to include and serve every person of every ability in the church, regardless of their position or popularity. We are to treat them like royalty, just as if we were doing the same for Jesus himself. [See Matthew 25:31-46]
4 Ways to Keep Your Sanity on Snow Days
Snow days can test the endurance of any special needs parent.
“We Don’t Have the Manpower” & Other Ways We Complicate Inclusion
Plainly stated, there should be no length to which we will not go to love and include our peers with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or cognitive challenges. Remember the friends who brought their buddy to Jesus on a mat through the roof of a house? Church inclusion is that straightforward.
When Your Holidays Don’t Turn Out As Expected
Expected the holidays to turn out differently? Maybe your expectations are in the wrong place.
7 Steps To Transform Your Holidays
Transform your holidays from dread to delight as you learn to assert boundaries.
When Your Church Doesn’t Miss You
The heart sting of trials is greater when your church doesn’t miss you.
Are You “Ghosting” Your Child? (On Setting Appropriate Boundaries)
“Mom! Mommy! Mama! MAAAAA!” Some days the thought of hearing a child call your name once more makes you nearly lose your mind. But there’s hope when a depleted parent is hearing the needy voice of that young one a little too often.
Asking the Right Questions When a Friend Is Suffering
Why didn’t you tell me? Maybe you never asked! Here are 4 powerful questions to help the hurting soul in our lives.