Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, and Congregations

by Erik W. Carter

A congregational community is an ideal place to share and strengthen faith, form lasting relationships, and develop special gifts and talents. Too often, though, people with developmental and other disabilities lack the opportunities and supports to fully participate in the life of their faith community. That’s why families and service providers need to read this groundbreaking guidebook—and share a copy with congregations that want to become places of welcome and belonging for people with disabilities. Bringing his practical ideas to life with anecdotes, quotes, and examples of successful strategies, Erik Carter helps readers





design appropriate, inclusive religious education programs for children, youth, and adults

To make inclusion work in any faith community, this how-to book gives readers workable strategies and photocopiable forms for identifying “indicators of welcome,†encouraging community outreach, and gathering important information about the support needs of people with disabilities and their families.

Genres: Disability, Theology

264 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2007

Reviews

[Jim B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter has written an exhaustive resource to bring together the efforts of families, congregations and (surprisingly to me) service providers for the sake of freedom of religious choice for people with disabilities.

In the foreword, Bell Gaventa, the editor of the Journal of Religion, Disability, & Health relates a story of a resolution which was brought to the annual meeting of the Diocese of Newark, New Jersey: "The resolution proposed that any church that had a sign on its fron lawn stating the name of the church and the phrase 'Everyone's Welcome' should have to take the welcome phrase off by a certain date if the building was not accessible to everyone, especially people with disabilities."

This book is an orderly roadmap from defining full participation and how a church can provide that aspect of inclusion, to creating religious education resources that suit the needs of a person with various disabilities, to the work of service providers and how accommodating spiritual choices is a unique but necessary part of social work, and finally how church and community can work together as partners. The book closes with useful resources in two appendices.

[Michelle Bruin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book for church staff, lay leaders, and families to use in helping the person in their life with disabilities serve the body of Christ. It is a bit of an academic read, but includes checklists for assessments as well as sample forms for use to develop relationships and ministries within the congregation. I heard Erik Carter via live stream when he presented in the January Series at Calvin College. This helped me become acquainted with him as an advocate for disability ministry. Since then, our community has relied on the work reflected in this book for further ministry to people with disabilities.

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on welcoming people into faith communities. It is not church-specific and so is applicable to a wide variety of religious communities. This book is super practical. It is full of information that faith groups can implement directly into their ministry. A must-have for any faith group seeking to welcome people with disabilities.

[Myra Loy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started strong, but where I hoped it would go more into the weeds on a local scale relating to his model of belonging that he has disseminated in his research, it went more broad by applying from local to regional. Still thorough and good application, just not what I had hoped for.

[Amber Kidwell Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely practical.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone interested in faith and disability issues, this is a great book to start with and provides an outstanding overview of what it means to be fully included in a faith community. Erik has a strong professional background and understanding of the many areas that a disability can affect the way that an individual or family worships. Strongly recommended.

[Holland Deacons' Conference · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your congregation, Christian ministry, or family is committed to supporting and including people with disabilities in meaningful ways that benefit and bless everyone, then you'll want to read this book by Erik Carter. In fact, whether you're just starting out or a long-time veteran of ministry with individuals with disabilities, this is "a must read"!!!

[Craig Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and organized for those who are starting a ministry to special needs individuals and their families. This book is a good starting point for information that will be a basis for reaching out and welcoming those who may have felt that the church does not want them.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ideas on the inclusion of people with disabilties in faith communities. It was not written from a faith perspective and painted in broad strokes.