Reaching Out, Ministering to Persons with Disabilities
In the American Baptist Resolution on the Church and Ministry with Persons with Disabilities (8024:6/78) (Download PDF), the General Board of American Baptist Churches USA calls upon American Baptists “to recognize persons with disabilities as integral members of the Christian fellowship and to take immediate affirmative action to enable their full inclusion in society and in local congregations and in church organizations.”
This statement encourages American Baptists to explore ways “to increase sensitivity and awareness of the importance of being in ministry with persons with disabilities” and to see that church and public facilities “provide adequate and accessible accommodations which invite and assist persons with disabilities in being involved with church life.”
The statement also encourages American Baptists to explore ways in which churches “individually and ecumenically can enlarge opportunities for employment, training, education and service,” while also enabling “concerned and disabled persons to connect with local, state and national support networks.”
When your congregation is ready to expand its ministry and reach out to those living with disabilities, these resources and Web links can help.
ABHMS is considering developing a network for sharing information about disability concerns. Please let us know if this would benefit your ministry by replying to these questions:
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