links I'm loving in disability ministry: fake Christians, imperfect vessels, real inclusion, angry kids
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The Realities of Inclusion & Kids With Special Needs
Inclusion in theory is beautiful and collaborative and harmonious. Inclusion in practice can be messy. Ellen writes about Max's camp experience, "in the end I just wasn't sure how much he'd interacted with other kids—or how inclusive his time there was, other than the fact that he was physically among so-called typical kids."
imperfect vessels
This blog series, with 99 Balloons running point, is knocking my socks off. (And, if I'm honest, making me a little nervous about how my post - running on September 11 - will measure up to the rest of the amazing folks included in this project.)
Inclusion in theory is beautiful and collaborative and harmonious. Inclusion in practice can be messy. Ellen writes about Max's camp experience, "in the end I just wasn't sure how much he'd interacted with other kids—or how inclusive his time there was, other than the fact that he was physically among so-called typical kids."
My thought: We want people with disabilities not just present in the church but also part of the body.
How can we as the church be more than just physically inclusive?
"I now look at kids that are throwing tantrums and know some of them are acting up due to parenting or lack of parenting, but I want you to know some kids are just wired in a way that is not acceptable to society. I know you don’t want your kids to be friends with my son and that hurts but I understand. Maybe just try every now and then to be friends with that mom and kid."
My thought: Kids with angry behaviors may be hard to include in traditional way, for the safety of other kids.
Are we willing to love these families and work to figure out unconventional inclusion for them?
imperfect vessels
This blog series, with 99 Balloons running point, is knocking my socks off. (And, if I'm honest, making me a little nervous about how my post - running on September 11 - will measure up to the rest of the amazing folks included in this project.)
and on a similar note..
"But when people think Christians are fake, I think this is part of the reason why.
We tell each other we’re not prone to wander.
We act like our days of falling down are forever behind us.
And we create environments where no one can be honest.
You can’t share your whole life with somebody when the expectation is that you don’t fail."
My thought: When we wear the name "Christian," that should acknowledge that we're not the great ones.
How can we let Christ's light shine through our broken places, be that disability or sin?