tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post9099603979972750173..comments2024-01-06T07:53:11.832-08:00Comments on disabled Christianity: Evaluation of "Local church support to individuals with developmental disabilities"Jeff McNairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10029386598033932429noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-21407658837012560752008-04-24T09:40:00.000-07:002008-04-24T09:40:00.000-07:00I completely agree. What a great essay, comprehen...I completely agree. What a great essay, comprehensive and complete. The lack of initiative of the church to include and reach out to people with disabilities is shocking. Even when I attend some churches, I feel as if it is some sort of "club" and everyone puts on their nicest clothes and best smile and goes and then leaves. Is this what a church is? Is that how we are called to be? Are we called to look good and where a smile that says, "everything is okay," even if it isn't? I do not believe that is what a church's purpose is. I believe that because the church has an attiitude like this, they do not reach out to people with disabilities, and therefore, according to the essay, reject God's calling. God has created each and everyone of us and He has placed in us a purpose. The church needs to support and encourage God's people to live their calling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-28820008780658247052008-04-15T23:45:00.000-07:002008-04-15T23:45:00.000-07:00I agree with this article because it really puts i...I agree with this article because it really puts into perspective how the church acts towards people with disabilities. I believe that everyone has the right to be able to go to church and worship our Lord. They are people just like us and deserve to be treated as equals. Churches have so many outreaches that go to other parts of the world to minister to people that are poor or have diseases, and I believe this is a great outreach and it is what God has called us to, but why do we not have local outreaches to people with disabilities. The church does not see that disabled people need Jesus just as much as any of us do. They might show their love for God in a different way then us but who is to say that God does not love the way they worship. He created them in His image and so they should be treated like our brother or sister in Christ. Churches can do so much to help disabled people feel welcomed in the church by providing different groups geared towards them and different ways to help their situations in their own lives. I would really like to see the church change so that we are meeting the needs of all people no matter their color, sex, disabilities or their financial situation. We should be showing them the love of Christ through our actions, words, and deeds. This can be displayed by support groups and other ways of welcoming and encouraging them to come to church.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-21136299920968769452008-04-09T15:44:00.000-07:002008-04-09T15:44:00.000-07:00I completely agree to what is being said about dis...I completely agree to what is being said about disabilities in church. I feel that so many churches today talk about how open they are but when anyone with a disability comes around they close their eyes and hide. Everyone is made in the eyes of God, as a church people need to stop being so superficial and looking at the person on the outside it’s the inside that matters. So what if a severe mental handicap person comes in and screams when he is excited he is praising our Lord just like we are. I truly believe we should feel blessed by these people in our congregation. The church also talks about going out and meeting people for Christ and people with disabilities are left out; they to like anyone else need Jesus. I think churches today need to step it up and show that they are willing to open their doors to everyone. We need to be finished with this hiding behind the doors and pretending that we can not see, we can see people with disabilities and now we need to do something about it. Stand up and make a stand, everyone needs to be welcomed into Church, so we may have to move things around so be it, Start Moving. <BR/> I do have to say however that there are some churches out there that are making the stance for people with disabilities and it is wonderful to see. Now if only we can get all churches to do the same, then Gods word is being done. <BR/>-Nicole ShipmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-39459117632827807512008-03-07T12:14:00.000-08:002008-03-07T12:14:00.000-08:00We have a wonderful house guest, Mary Jane Ponten,...We have a wonderful house guest, Mary Jane Ponten, this weekend who will be speaking at the NACSPED (National Association of Christians in Special Education) conference this weekend. Mary Jane is a wonderful, very witty, 77 year old woman with cerebral palsy who has been involved in disability ministry since 1992. She has been a pioneer in international disability ministry, having made 30 trips to Ghana alone. Upon hearing Amy's comments above, she said that churches and pastors who are not reaching out to persons with disabilities are basically saying, "Go to hell." Very powerful and a lot of truth.Jeff McNairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10029386598033932429noreply@blogger.com