Are churches today accessible? Many would say yes. It is common to have lifts, ramps, and … 5 Ways Many Churches Are Not AccessibleRead more
Disabilities
Person-First or Identity-First Language?
When we talk about disabilities, should we use person-first or identity-first language? That is, should we … Person-First or Identity-First Language?Read more
Enabling Faith
Acts 8:26-40 Introduction I have often felt like the story of the Ethiopian eunuch is one … Enabling FaithRead more
What to Do When You See a Service Dog in Public
You are out in a grocery store or a restaurant and you see a person with … What to Do When You See a Service Dog in PublicRead more
Why Should Your Church Be Disability Friendly?
I’m in the process of working on some resources to help churches become more disability friendly. … Why Should Your Church Be Disability Friendly?Read more
The Other Anti-Discrimination Fight That Needs to Be Fought
Some of the biggest news in recent times is the fight for the rights of people … The Other Anti-Discrimination Fight That Needs to Be FoughtRead more
Eyes Opened by the Blind
Our church has a Zoom after church fellowship during this time of only online services. It … Eyes Opened by the BlindRead more
Crip Camp – Review
I recently watched the documentary Crip Camp on Netflix. As a person interested in disabilities, I … Crip Camp – ReviewRead more
Nazis and the Killing of the Disabled
Two of my main interests are the history of the Second World War and disabilities. The … Nazis and the Killing of the DisabledRead more
Disability in the Hebrew Bible – Review
Two of the biggest interests for me are the Bible and disabilities. When those two things … Disability in the Hebrew Bible – ReviewRead more
Did Disabilities Win the Game of Thrones?
I found the final episode of Game of Thrones interesting on a number of levels. One … Did Disabilities Win the Game of Thrones?Read more
Reflections on a Recent Funeral
I recently did a funeral for a member of our church named Dianne. I didn’t know … Reflections on a Recent FuneralRead more
Redefining Perfect – Review
When a couple begins to have children, at least in the back of their mind, they … Redefining Perfect – ReviewRead more
Good News: A Pastor Who Cares
Our son Logan has started attending a church in the city where his group home is. … Good News: A Pastor Who CaresRead more
Disabling Mission, Enabling Witness – Review
I recently read Enabling Mission, Enabling Witness by Benjamin T. Conner and I absolutely loved it. … Disabling Mission, Enabling Witness – ReviewRead more
How Apologetics Intersects With My Interest in Disabilities
Two of the areas that I write on the most are Christian apologetics and disabilities. This … How Apologetics Intersects With My Interest in DisabilitiesRead more
What Our Church Does For Disability Ministry
When people find out that I’m interested in disabilities, I often get asked what we do … What Our Church Does For Disability MinistryRead more
Disability Stereotypes in Movies
One of the pet peeves of many people in the disability community is how people with … Disability Stereotypes in MoviesRead more
Why I Don’t Talk Much About Ableism
For years we have heard about sexism (discrimination against a gender, usually females) and racism (discrimination … Why I Don’t Talk Much About AbleismRead more
What is a Disability?
I recently asked a question on a couple of Facebook groups that I belonged to. One … What is a Disability?Read more
Inspiration Porn
This past week, I was at the Summer Institute on Theology and Disability. There was so … Inspiration PornRead more
An Important Question For Churches and Disabilities
Our church has a Bible study that takes place Sundays after the service. We were looking … An Important Question For Churches and DisabilitiesRead more
Caring for Special Needs People in Your Small Church
One of the most practical podcasts that I listen to is the 200 Church podcast. I … Caring for Special Needs People in Your Small ChurchRead more
Stephen Hawking and Disabilities
Stephen Hawking just recently died. There is much about Hawking that I disagreed with. He denied … Stephen Hawking and DisabilitiesRead more
31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Embrace Those With Disabilities
Many churches have embraced the concept of disabilities. Churches want diversity of gender, ethnicities, age, economic … 31 Days to Become a Better Pastor: Embrace Those With DisabilitiesRead more
Good News: Churches That Get It
As a pastor and a father of two children with special needs, I know that it … Good News: Churches That Get ItRead more
Good News: Theology and Disability Paper
Two of the areas that I’m most interested in are theology and disabilities. When these two … Good News: Theology and Disability PaperRead more
Breathe – Review
Last night I watched the movie Breathe, directed by Andy Serkis. The movie stars Andrew Garfield … Breathe – ReviewRead more
Don’t You Dare Judge!
One of the outcomes that some special needs families experience is that the children move into … Don’t You Dare Judge!Read more
Stay Engaged With Your Special Needs Child (Part 2)
This is the first of two-part guest post by Bryan Stoudt. Visit Bryan’s website at the link … Stay Engaged With Your Special Needs Child (Part 2)Read more
Special Needs Families Are Not a Monolithic Group
I speak often on the needs of families who are dealing with disabilities. My prayer to … Special Needs Families Are Not a Monolithic GroupRead more
Stay Engaged With Your Special Needs Child (Part 1)
This is the first of two-part guest post by Bryan Stoudt. Visit Bryan’s website at the link … Stay Engaged With Your Special Needs Child (Part 1)Read more
5 Ways Churches Can Help Support Families With Disabilities
One of my passions is to help churches be welcoming and safe places for families with … 5 Ways Churches Can Help Support Families With DisabilitiesRead more
What Does Jesus Want Our Churches to Look Like?
I was preparing for an upcoming sermon and came across an interesting passage. He said also … What Does Jesus Want Our Churches to Look Like?Read more
Good News: One of the Best Weeks Ever
This past week was one of the best weeks of my entire life. Our family was … Good News: One of the Best Weeks EverRead more
Disabilities and the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
One of the hardest hitting parables that Jesus ever taught was the parable of the sheep … Disabilities and the Parable of the Sheep and the GoatsRead more
How Diverse Do You Want Your Church to Be?
I have listened to a number of podcasts and read some books that have argued for … How Diverse Do You Want Your Church to Be?Read more
Don’t Pet the Service Dog!
I was at the hospital today visiting someone. As we walked into the hospital, we saw … Don’t Pet the Service Dog!Read more
Autism Awareness: 3 Areas For Improvement
April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism awareness has come a long way in the past few … Autism Awareness: 3 Areas For ImprovementRead more
My Problem With the R-Word
I was recently watching the Netflix series, Luke Cage. Throughout the series, I was bothered by … My Problem With the R-WordRead more
Disability and the Gospel – Review
One aspect of working through ideas about disabilities is to develop a theology of disability. The … Disability and the Gospel – ReviewRead more
Bullying Also Happens in the Church
People with disabilities are too often the target for bullying. Those who have communication or cognitive … Bullying Also Happens in the ChurchRead more
Did Jesus Have a Disability?
People with disabilities have not always felt valuable. This includes the context of the church. Are … Did Jesus Have a Disability?Read more
The Biggest Need For Families With Disabilities
I may be too presumptuous in making a judgment about all families with disabilities, but I’m … The Biggest Need For Families With DisabilitiesRead more
Preaching on Disabilities
I truly believe that the pastor needs to take the lead on helping a church to … Preaching on DisabilitiesRead more
Where Do Autistic Children Belong in Sunday School?
What I’m going to talk about here is relevant to many disabilities, but since autism … Where Do Autistic Children Belong in Sunday School?Read more
Feeling Uncomfortable Around People With Disabilities
I have two children who are on the severe end of the autism spectrum. They are … Feeling Uncomfortable Around People With DisabilitiesRead more
The Assumption of “Normal”
It is common that when you meet new people, that you ask each other about family. … The Assumption of “Normal”Read more
Pastors, Church Culture and Disabilities
What is the culture of your church when it comes to disabilities? Does your church eagerly … Pastors, Church Culture and DisabilitiesRead more
One of My Angriest Moments
If you ever get a chance to meet me, you will find that I’m one of … One of My Angriest MomentsRead more
Autism, Theology and Baptism
I recently had the privilege of baptizing my daughter. For context, I’m a Baptist pastor and … Autism, Theology and BaptismRead more
Disabilities, Church and the Idol of Excellence
One of the most common core values for many contemporary churches is that of excellence. That … Disabilities, Church and the Idol of ExcellenceRead more
Identity and the Challenge of Disability
In this video, Jean Vanier speaks on the subject of disabilities and identity. Jean Vanier is … Identity and the Challenge of DisabilityRead more
5 Things Pastors Need to Know About Autism
I have been contacted by a number of pastors lately about autism. I’m impressed with pastors … 5 Things Pastors Need to Know About AutismRead more
Psalm 139 Reflectors Reading
5 Reasons Churches Are Afraid of Disability Ministry
Is your church ready to minister to families with disabilities? Perhaps you want to but have … 5 Reasons Churches Are Afraid of Disability MinistryRead more
The Apostle’s Creed
Oracle, Batgirl and Disabilities in Comics
As a father of two children with autism, I am very much interested in disabilities. Having … Oracle, Batgirl and Disabilities in ComicsRead more
First Disability Pride Parade
The Buddy Ministry
I love how this church has developed a ministry to bless special needs kids and their … The Buddy MinistryRead more
The R Word
How often do you refer to something as “retarded”? It seems be a regular part of … The R WordRead more
Ministry and Disabilities Online Training
While much of what I do is encouraging churches to have the right attitude, there is … Ministry and Disabilities Online TrainingRead more
Ban This Word from Your Church
Do you want to make your church both disability and autism friendly? Here is a simple … Ban This Word from Your ChurchRead more
Does God Create People With Disabilities?
“The question arises, however, whether God creates people with disabilities. On the one hand—yes—insofar as people … Does God Create People With Disabilities?Read more
Family Ties
I am angry and I will tell you why. Let me give you the back story … Family TiesRead more
Silver Linings Have Clouds
As a parent of special needs children, I try to stay positive. I look at the … Silver Linings Have CloudsRead more
Becoming Pre-Autism Friendly
What if you want your church to be autism-friendly but you don’t have any families with … Becoming Pre-Autism FriendlyRead more
Jesus’ Resurrection and Disabilities
Easter Sunday is the most important day for Christians. It is the day that we celebrate … Jesus’ Resurrection and DisabilitiesRead more
Brian Doerksen and Special Needs Parenting
This is a powerful video by Brian and Joyce Doerksen on their experience as parents of … Brian Doerksen and Special Needs ParentingRead more
Helping Children to Understand
There has been a lot of work done to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance for those … Helping Children to UnderstandRead more
What is Disability Ministry?
What is disability ministry? For some churches, that may be a formal ministry with their own … What is Disability Ministry?Read more
Welcoming People With Special Needs
Samsung recently made a very touching commercial about a community that learned sign language in order … Welcoming People With Special NeedsRead more
Why Autism is Important to Me
In this video, I share how autism came to be a part of my life and … Why Autism is Important to MeRead more
The Drop Box
I recently had the opportunity to preview the documentary, The Drop Box. Spoiler Alert: It is … The Drop BoxRead more
Inclusion In Your Church
A guest post by Ron Sandison. As the body of Christ, we should care for the … Inclusion In Your ChurchRead more
Why Should Your Church Care About Autism?
Should your church care about people with autism? Should your church attempt to reach out to … Why Should Your Church Care About Autism?Read more
Exceptional Ministry: A Conversation With Keith Dow
I met Keith Dow when I spoke at a family retreat. While I found his background … Exceptional Ministry: A Conversation With Keith DowRead more
Feels So Write
I have been trying to feel my way ever since I stopped working at Faith Today. … Feels So WriteRead more
7 Things Churches Need to Know About Autism
One of my goals is to equip churches to minister to families dealing with disabilities, especially autism. … 7 Things Churches Need to Know About AutismRead more
Confessions of an Autism Dad
Autism has been a part of my life for about thirteen years. As an autism dad, … Confessions of an Autism DadRead more
What is ‘Normal’?
Churches, Pastors and the Disabled
When it comes to welcoming those with disabilities into a church, I come at it with … Churches, Pastors and the DisabledRead more
Atheism and the Problem of Love
Atheism claims to have reason on its side. I think that is an incredible overstatement. However, … Atheism and the Problem of LoveRead more
Autism and the Church
Statistics tell us that the autism rates are extremely high. According to the Autism Society of … Autism and the ChurchRead more
Down Syndrome and a Father’s Heart
I recently posted this picture on my Facebook wall and had an interesting response. I generally … Down Syndrome and a Father’s HeartRead more