#Disability&theChurch2025, podcast
Elaina Marchenko
Reasons to Celebrate! Podcast EP 130

Elaina sits down and shares a few of the many reasons we have to celebrate here at Key Ministry this year. We are so grateful for all that the Lord has done in and through our ministry in 2024, and we can’t wait to see what he does in 2025!

Reasons to Celebrate! Podcast EP 130
Care and Support, Hidden Disabilities, Autism, Spiritual Development
Key Ministry
Why I’m Glad to be A Sensitive Person

I wonder when did being sensitive get a bad reputation and why does being sensitive tend to make others uncomfortable? After all, Jesus showed us how to use gifts like sensitivity, empathy and compassion for the Kingdom of God.

Why I’m Glad to be A Sensitive Person
Disability Ministry, Key Ministry, Training Events
Stephen Grcevich MD
Key Ministry in 2024 - A year of unprecedented ...

As 2024 comes to a close, we look back at some of the most impactful events and relationships we were part of this past year, highlight new resources we helped create over the past twelve months and look ahead to opportunities for advancing the Gospel in 2025 through supporting local churches in their ministry with the disability and mental health communities.

Key Ministry in 2024 - A year of unprecedented impact
Care and Support, Church Support, Disability Ministry, Families, Hope, podcast, Sandra Peoples
Sandra Peoples
Including Special-Needs Families in Your ...

Sandra Peoples grew up with a sister with Down syndrome and now has a teenager with level 3 autism, so she knows how different the holidays can feel for a family like hers. But they don't have to feel different at church! With a few steps of consideration, she shares how families can feel included and valued. Let's make sure special-needs families can hear the message of hope this Christmas!

Including Special-Needs Families in Your Church's Christmas Activities: EP 129
Autism, Care and Support, Disability Theology, Parents, Resources, Special Needs Parenting
Sunita Theiss
Biblical Truths for Neurodivergent Kids: ...

Every child is wonderfully unique, created by God with love and intention. For kids who experience and process the world differently, hearing affirmations rooted in God’s truth can be a powerful reminder of their worth and purpose.

Biblical Truths for Neurodivergent Kids: Affirmations for Every Journey

Mental Health and the Church

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Call for Speakers... and a Lineup Preview for Mental Health and the Church #MHATC2024

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Call for Speakers... and a Lineup Preview for Mental Health and the Church #MHATC2024

On behalf of our Board, ministry team and the MHATC2024 Program Committee, I would like to invite leaders with impactful or innovative ideas and strategies for churches seeking to minister with individuals and families impacted by mental health concerns to conserve applying to be part of our speaking team for Mental Health and the Church, Key Ministry’s first national conference focused specifically upon mental health ministry, to be held at Bay Presbyterian Church in suburban Cleveland on September 26-27, 2024.

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Key Ministry at 25 - A Vision for the Short-Term Future of Disability Ministry

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Key Ministry at 25 - A Vision for the Short-Term Future of Disability Ministry

In 2028, we’re planning a year-long celebration of our first quarter-century of ministry. Our team has been seeking to discern what the future holds for disability ministry between now and the specific role we’re being called to fill between now and then. We have unprecedented opportunities - but if we’re to pursue the plans God seems to have for us, our ministry will need very different levels of staff support and resources than we’ve relied upon in the past. Here’s a look at what we think the next few years have in store for us and the disability ministry movement.

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Encouraging Signs Regarding Mental Health and the Church

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Encouraging Signs Regarding Mental Health and the Church

We’d love to have you join us this weekend for the Thrive and Cultivate Summit.. The very presence of events such as this one is reason to be hopeful that the church is starting to “get it” when it comes to mental health.

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Why families think online church is indispensable for disability ministry

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Why families think online church is indispensable for disability ministry

If your church is has an online presence and an interest in disability ministry, your online presence needs to be a critical component of your disability ministry strategy.

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Why are suicide rates up 56% among youth in this past decade?

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Why are suicide rates up 56% among youth in this past decade?

Dr. Grcevich shares several hypotheses about contributing factors to the rapidly increasing rates of suicide in older children and teens.

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Janet Parshall...Disability Ministry Champion

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Janet Parshall...Disability Ministry Champion

Janet's long history of advocacy for persons with disabilities isn't the only reason why I wanted her to have the opportunity to attend our conference and connect with the leaders and speakers in attendance. I knew Janet could speak into disability issues from the perspective of someone who has been there and done that.

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It's the hidden disabilities that keep kids out of church

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It's the hidden disabilities that keep kids out of church

The study found that the children most likely to be excluded from church are those with autism spectrum disorders and common mental health conditions - anxiety, depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder and ADHD.

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Key Ministry's video training series on Mental Health and the Church

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Key Ministry's video training series on Mental Health and the Church

Our team is pleased to announce we've completed a library of training videos designed to accompany and support Mental Health and the Church, Key Ministry's book on including children, teens, adults and families impacted by mental illness at church.

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Join Kelly Rosati, Amy Simpson, Kay Warren and myself for a Twitter chat on youth mental health

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Join Kelly Rosati, Amy Simpson, Kay Warren and myself for a Twitter chat on youth mental health

I'd like to invite our readers to join with me, along with Kelly Rosati, Amy Simpson and Kay Warren on Tuesday, May 8th at 2:00 PM Eastern time for a Twitter chat designed to encourage pastors, ministry leaders and key volunteers to consider how they can be involved in addressing the epidemic of mental illness in children and teens.