Jul 14 2023 33 mins 11
Stephen Tracey interviews his good friends Doug and Liz Babbitt on how elders can welcome, include, and connect with people affected by disabilities.
We must remember that "the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable" (1 Corinthians 12:22 ESV)
"People with disabilities need the church, and the church needs people with disabilities."
To begin with, focus on one person or family at a time. We don't need to be experts in any area of disability, simply learning and practicing hospitality is a good start. Listening, connecting gifts with opportunities, and cultivating relationships are all good ways to grow our ministry to, and with, people affected by disabilities.
Elders can help increase awareness by thinking about people with disabilities already connected with their congregation and increasing help and support given, and then looking further afield. Someone has said that people with disabilities are "the largest unreached people group you've never heard of."
"People with disabilities are not a program, they're people" Liz Babbitt.
Resources
Below is a link to one example of disability etiquette. Others are available from different sources.
Disability Etiquette
