Statistics tell us that somewhere around 90% of churches have no intentional outreach to their disability communities. That means that only 10% of churches in America have some formal disability ministry programming. Within this 10% of churches, it may be that the church has a Jesus Prom, or a Buddy System, or an Adult Class, […]
Ability Ministry Summer 2018 Series: Part 6 of 7 You have heard the old saying “actions speak louder than words.” This is true in so many ways. Bottom line… behavior is a form of a communication. This is true for all teens, not just teens affected by disability. Any good Youth Leader will pay special […]
Ability Ministry Summer 2018 Series: Part 5 of 7 Remember that old saying from the 1980’s cartoon G.I. Joe… “knowing is half the battle”? Let us take this concept one step further when it comes to trouble shooting. Inevitably as you work towards inclusion and transitioning teens from children’s ministry into student ministry you will […]
Ability Ministry Summer 2018 Series: Part 4 of 7 It’s hard to argue the importance of volunteering. You already know that disability ministry doesn’t work without a small army of volunteers. Studies from the Coporation for National and Community Service concluded that “Youth who volunteer are more likely to feel connected to their communities and, […]
Ability Ministry Summer 2018 Series: Part 3 of 7 As a teen ages out of children’s ministry and into a traditional student ministry environment consider the established environment. Most student ministry environments pride themselves on looking, feeling, and sounding different than the children’s ministry environments that came before them. Typical children’s ministry environments are structured, […]
Ability Ministry Summer 2018 Series: Part 2 of 7 To create successful transitions and environments for teens as they age out of children’s ministry there are several things to consider. One key thing to avoid is “mental age” pigeonholing. Pigeonholing is a curious word. Consider how it has come a part of our language. Pigeons […]
Ability Ministry Summer 2018 Series: Part 1 of 7 When you hear the words “forever young” what comes to mind might be tied to what generation you are from. Maybe you think of the Bob Dylan song “Forever Young” from 1974 where he declares, “May you stay forever young.” Maybe you think of the slightly […]
A growing debate in church leadership circles is the usage of profanity in the pulpit. People debate whether it is ever appropriate to use what some consider dirty words in preaching. While some debate it others just go ahead and do it. The purpose of profanity in preaching is the topic for another blog, another […]
I’ve heard it once said: Leadership is not a position or a title, it is action and example. I think there is so much truth to this quote. I have known many adults affected by IDD that were leaders. No, they did not hold an official position of leadership within the church or community, but […]
Ability Ministry has a rich 30 plus year history in the field of disability ministry. Not many other organizations can say that they have been actively reaching people affected by disability for Jesus for nearly as long. Despite this the leadership of Ability Ministry felt that something was missing. That something was ministry beyond our […]
Because Jesus' table is accessible for everyone...
We desire to see the Church make room for all people affected by disability. To fully participate. To fully partner. To fully lead.
We exist to equip and empower the 25% of the population with a disability, their families, and their churches to become who God has created them to be.
