Our staff has developed a page on our website listing disability ministry and mental health ministry training opportunities throughout the Continental United States.
Suicide and the Hope of the Church
In the last four months, one significant and concerning trend I’ve noticed in social media conversations among ministry leaders has been the uptick in the need for suicide information. Reducing mental illness stigma and prevention are the techniques with the most impact. Here are some other approaches that may help.
Three Things that Hold Us Back from Disability Ministry
There are so many great ideas out there about starting a disability ministry. But unless we take these ideas and start walking, they will mean nothing. There are things that we’re going to have to throw off—much like Bartimaeus had to throw off his cloak to freely run to Jesus. What is your cloak? What is the thing you need to throw aside in order to take your next step in starting a disability ministry?
A Free Mental Health Guide For Faith Leaders
Many churches are at a place of that first talk with a pastor, where a concerned layperson might discuss whether churches should be worried about mental health. The American Psychiatric Association has created a guide is to equip faith community leaders to help with a mental health need, because “faith community leaders are gatekeepers or ‘first responders’ when individuals and families face mental health or substance use problems.”
You Are Extraordinary
Every parent has a moment when they sit down face-to-face with their child to have an important conversation. The conversations may look a little different, but they have the same goal: to let children know that they are exceptional, unique and wonderful, and God has a plan and purpose for their lives.
How Churches Can Encourage the Blind and Visually Impaired
God has used my blindness to others in so many ways. In my ability as a songwriter, I’m able to describe things in a deeper way than people who can see. I show people trust-in-action as I follow other people’s directions. Most of all, I think I’m able to show people that, despite my being totally blind and using a power wheelchair, there is still joy.
