I read a post this morning written by a person with a disability concerning the experience of growing up attending a Pentecostal church. The author pointed out that her condition was genetic, and she felt that the consistent focus on healing prayer and frequent questions regarding whether she felt better were evidence that something must be wrong with her genetics. The author eventually stopped going to church.
This is a common experience for people with disabilities. However, it is not a universal experience. Some have responded to the turmoil inside by drawing nearer to God, even when they could not reconcile their experiences, understandings, or points of view with those of their faith communities.
In recent years, churches have begun to spend energy on finding ways to minister to people with disabilities. These ministries can take a variety of forms. Some are outreach-focused while others are reactive, meeting the needs of people with disabilities who are identified within the church community.
These ministries are all valuable. They enable people with disabilities to participate in the life of the church community in numerous ways. However, the person with a disability often remains a recipient of ministry.
In the biblical model of discipleship, the person who is in the role of disciple is always to grow into maturity of faith and then make disciples of others. People with disabilities are not exempt from using their ministry gifts. If a church does not include people with disabilities in identifying their talents and spiritual gifts and does not guide them in learning to exercise those gifts, then the church has failed to properly disciple those people. If the church does not allow people with disabilities to minister to people without disabilities using their God-given gifts, then the church is limiting the work of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes, the limitation is not intentional.
I am a person with a disability, ordained as a minister through the Church of God (Anderson, IN). My own church has recognized my gifts and calling and my ability with biblical languages and study. How does it feel when a person tells me, “Oh, you minister to me a great deal! You are so brave to get out and about! I don’t think I could do that if I was blind!”
It feels that the very call and gifts my church has validated have been brushed aside as if they no longer matter.
Please, o Church, do not do this to the people you love! Not in your speech, and not in your actions. Please speak in ways that lift up and recognize the true gifts of the people in your midst–and if you do not know those gifts, then acquaint yourself with that person and learn what those gifts are so you can affirm them. And please place people in positions to exercise those gifts.
- Learning From My Younger Self - February 10, 2024
- more reflections on ITD - June 30, 2023
- On travel while at ITD: reflections after day 1 - June 27, 2023
- ITD day 1 - June 27, 2023
- ITD day 1 - June 27, 2023
- Job Descriptions, Inclusivity, and Equity for People with Disabilities - October 15, 2022
- Traveling without a Guide Dog: Experience with Cane and Walker - October 14, 2022
- Disability and Church, Intersection - June 11, 2022
- Review: When Chronic Pain and Illness Take Everything Away - June 11, 2022
- Grammar and Style Resources for Writers - June 9, 2022
