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As Wheelchairs Roll In, Disability Conference Ushers Out Church Exclusion of the Developmentally Disabled

By Anonymous

March 27, 2004--Most of us would never imagine that there are families who are routinely turned away from places of worship. However, families of children or adults with developmental disabilities and neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and mental retardation, or who have had a brain injury or who have a mental health disability, commonly tell of the painful rejection they have received from the faith community.
   
While public schools have learned to accommodate these students, most churches are not prepared to meet their physical, emotional, educational, or spiritual needs. The result? Some parents take turns going to church while one stays home with the child, but many become discouraged and will simply stay at home rather than take on yet another battle.
   
In response, “Taking JOY to the World,” a Disability Conference Helping Churches Help Families, will be held September 24-26, 2004 at Graceview Baptist Church in Tomball, Texas, just northwest of Houston. Its goal is that conference participants will become aware of the thousands of families who live with disability and will leave equipped with the desire, knowledge, and curriculum to start a disability ministry at their own place of worship, regardless of denomination.
   
Graceview became aware of this need in 1994 when a family with a 12-year-old who had multiple severe disabilities started visiting. When church leaders asked what they could do to help, Denise Briley shared her dream of a class for her son where he would have friends like himself and not be tucked away in the nursery or the kindergarten class, and she or her husband would not have to leave a worship service when the boy started vocalizing. The “JOY” class was born when Graceview’s pastor, Bryan Donahoo, presented the need to the congregation and a small army of dedicated volunteers responded. As more children joined her son, the class grew into a family ministry, and Briley eventually became Graceview’s Director of Special Education, a rarely found church staff position.
   
More than 60 families who have been touched by disability are now enjoying full participation at Graceview because of the JOY (Jesus' Opportunity for You) Ministry. Parents may sing in the choir, play instruments, teach Bible classes, and serve as deacons, and siblings may enjoy full participation in children's and youth activities, all while their family member who has a disability is paired with a volunteer who sees to all of their needs.
   
As word has spread, hundreds of churches have contacted Briley for assistance with beginning their own disability ministries, which she believes should be just as common as having a nursery for infant care. The “Taking JOY to the World” Conference will share Graceview’s experience through “JOY” family video montages, awareness and acceptance sessions, parent-led panels, a pastor-to-pastor roundtable, a grandparents’ forum, volunteer training, and other seminars. The event will include special music and worship, as well as an exhibition hall showcasing the latest breakthrough products, resources, and services for the disability community. For registration information, please visit www.thejoyministry.org, www.graceview.org, or call 281-351-4979 to request a conference brochure.


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