Disability, Ministry, and the Church

MS 3P1020/5P1030

Fall 2024
Tues 11:00am - 12:50pm
CC/CW/PS

The contemporary church is growing in its awareness of the importance of cultivating a spiritual community that includes all of God’s people, regardless of ability or disability. The vital functioning of our communities of faith require critical adjustment to our vision and our shared practices. This course seeks to help churches to deepen their welcome and inclusion of all persons; to heighten strategies for care of all persons regardless of ability; and to foster an authentic witness to the love of Christ as a community with an altered moral imagination. While the shape of an inclusive Christian ministry may change in various contexts some fundamental aspects of person-centered ministry, a collaborative approach to shared ministry, and authentic welcome to persons of all abilities will be explored. The course will probe pastoral theological aspects of inclusive ministry, and will offer practical guidance for reimagining Christian ministry that facilitates vulnerable communion. The deeper aim of this course will be to enable a catalytic moral transformation of the church as a community of compassion and to explore various ways of being the church in contemporary society.

Knowing

  • To gain an informed perspective on current literature in theology, disability and the church.
  • To create an anthropological/theological framework for pastoral interaction with persons with disabilities.

Being

  • To become more compassionate and just in our dealings with those who are marginalized.
  • To deepen in the spiritual quality of acceptance.

Doing

  • To create a template for integration and mutuality in Christian ministry with those who are disabled.
  • To practice hospitality and justice with all persons, especially those with disabilities.