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HOW CONGREGATIONS CAN GET STARTED OPENING THE
MINDS, HEARTS, AND DOORS
FOR FULL INCLUSION OF THE DISABLED
IN WORSHIP AND MINISTRY
Opening the Minds – Clergy, staff, Sunday school teachers, nursery volunteers, and congregations intentionally seek out experiences to begin the journey towards full inclusion of the disabled in worship and ministry such as:
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Establish leadership to spearhead these efforts
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Have leadership read Erik W. Carter’s Including People with DISABILITIES in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, and Congregations an excellent resource guide available from Cokesbury
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Set aside funds to assist these efforts
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Seek out other congregations that are further along in the journey for guidance in beginning the journey towards full inclusion of the disabled
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Collaborate with parents, caregivers, therapists, case managers, nurses, physicians, teachers, and especially special education managers from the congregation or the local area to lead training for clergy, staff, teachers, nursery volunteers, etc. as they have knowledge/experiences that can provide excellent insight to better serve and meet the needs of the disabled and assist in the journey towards full inclusion of the disabled in worship and ministry
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Seek out seminars or host seminars specifically designed to educate about how to better serve and meet the needs of the disabled or assist in the journey towards full inclusion of the disabled in worship and ministry
Opening the Hearts – When a community of faith intentionally involves itself in ministry with or for persons with disabilities within the church or community such as:
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Communicate disability related ministry opportunities to the church and community
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Provide respite care for people with disabilities
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Van ministry – provide transportation for people with disabilities to church and other functions
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Visitation ministry – visit shut ins/disabled, especially with peers
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Local congregation host support groups (i.e. Parkinson’s, Autism, Stroke, etc.) or seminars designed for people with disabilities
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Identify spiritual gifts of the person to allow full participation with peers in the worship and ministry experience
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Establish outreach ministries for the community (i.e. wheelchair ramp building, making home assessments for accessibility, etc.)
Opening Doors – Local church identifies and removes barriers inhibiting full inclusion of people with disabilities in worship and ministry
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