You may have heard it said that the pandemic has increased the mental health and suicide risks for people. But the risk of substance misuse and overdose is also trending poorly. Here’s how the Church can help.
Blessings and Laughter within Special Needs Ministry
Guest blogger Tony D’Orazio shares more stories about the challenges, laughter and joys of having a fitness ministry for people with special needs. Read his recent post about his son Jake here.
Five Ways Your Church Can Prepare to Love Families with Special Needs
Guest blogger Kristin Evans notes that it’s not practical to expect every church to be able to provide for families with special needs in every way. But she encourages churches to consider one or two ideas for how your congregation might be able to better support persons with special needs and disabilities. Here are five ways your church can prepare to love special needs families.
Ordinary Work Done In Extraordinary Ways
Over the summer, my husband Fred and I have been working through some course material from an organization which has as one of their objectives, “To help one’s family member to achieve ‘An Awesome Ordinary Life.’ ” It is so easy to lose sight of how extraordinary it is when an ordinary life is lived in faithful ways. Let me explain.
Making Churches Safe From Abuse
Special Needs Parents are Candles, Burning Between Hope and Despair
Parents of children with special needs are often labeled negatively: ‘troublemakers,’ ‘confrontational,’ ‘needy,’ ‘over-sharing.’ The reason we (as yes, I’m one too) can sometimes pick up some of these negative labels is that we won’t take no for an answer when it comes to our child. Why do we enter into conversations, meetings and appointments with our boxing gloves firmly on? Because the world cannot understand.
25 Encouraging Bible Verses for Disability Ministry Leaders
Tis the season when caring ministry leaders and volunteers typically try to do some regrouping. The Bible has generous reassurance for leaders caring for individuals and families affected by special needs. I pray you know the tremendous value of the work you do and find refreshment in God’s truth here!
Practical Tips for Effective Prayer Ministry for Caregivers and their Families
Creating Belonging: Rethinking Cultural Contexts and Mental Health
Three Tips to Help Special Needs Families Transition Back into Church
If you listen to disability ministry leaders, surveys and thought leaders these days, you will hear a resounding concern that families impacted by disability, mental health difficulties and other special needs will not be returning to “church as usual” any time soon. I hope churches and pastors are asking what will happen to these families. Here are three things your church can do to bless individuals and families impacted by disability in your congregation to navigate the transition process and feel restored to our church communities.
