![]() Carter, a noted researcher in this area, and his colleagues noted in one study that “the considerable diversity in parental needs reflected… should challenge congregations to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to supporting families and instead consider avenues for individualizing their efforts to meet felt needs among the individuals and families present within their community.” In one study, more than half of special needs parents reported that their child with a disability had been excluded at church.They “(i) featured faith leaders who were more committed to inclusion (ii) used educational resources to address disability-related issues (iii) portrayed people with disabilities positively in their religious teachings (iv) had stronger ties to disability organizations and (v) had a stronger orientation towards promoting social justice.” įor children with disabilities and their families, ![]() More inclusive faith communities were described in one study as having five common characteristics.People with autism are more likely to be atheists and more likely to reject organized religion.We are thankful for progress, but let’s keep working to close that gap for the glory of God and the good of his people. Between 20, however, that gap narrowed, which we at Key Ministry believe is the result of more churches becoming aware of the need and actively welcoming people of all abilities. People with disabilities are less likely to attend worship services, Bible studies, and other church activities than those without disabilities.As we verify anything you share with us, we’ll add to this piece so it can be a growing, collaborative tool for all of us! Now let’s look at the facts! What does research indicate about people with disabilities and their involvement in faith communities? I invite you to add any figures I might have overlook in the comments. (If you’ll be at the Refresh Conference in Seattle this month, A Church For Everyone in McAllen, TX in April, the Accessibility Summit in DC in April, or the Christian Alliance For Orphans Summit in Orlando in May, though, I would love to meet you face to face!) (For example, the oft-quoted stat that 85-95% of special needs families are unchurched isn’t supported by any research, so I really think we – as people of the Truth – ought to stop repeating it.) This series of posts is the first time I have posted my speaking statistics online, but I realize many more people can be equipped this way than in person. Whenever I am a main stage or workshop speaker, I consider it my responsibility as an ambassador of Christ to present only the research I can document as being true and not just hearsay. If you do so, I’d encourage you to include the sources so that others can be like Bereans and not just believe what we say but verify it for themselves. Please feel free to share the information in this post and the other two in my series. ![]() Today I want us to zoom in a little closer, looking specifically at research pertaining to people with disabilities in the church. I challenged you to consider how your church can better represent those numbers, that all people may hear and know the truth of the gospel. Last week I opened a three-part series of posts on statistics and ministry by sharing general figures about the prevalence of disability and mental illness in the US. ![]() Here’s what she found in terms of research on persons with disabilities in the church. Editor’s Note: Shannon Dingle is compiling the data examining, disability, adoption, mental illness and church. ![]()
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