Disability Comes to Church - Stephen J Bedard

According to Statistics Canada, 27% of Canadians have disabilities. Do our churches reflect that number? While there are likely more people in our churches with disabilities that we realize (many disabilities are invisible), the uncomfortable truth is that many disabled people and their families do not feel welcome in our churches.

I come to this conversation wearing multiple hats. I have pastored local churches for twenty-five years. I wrote a thesis for my Doctor of Ministry degree at Acadia Divinity College on Disability Ministry for Small Churches. Most importantly, my family has been deeply impacted by disabilities, with three of my five children being autistic and others disabilities being present as well.

I have been asked many times by pastors and lay leaders about how they can be more welcoming and inclusive of people with disabilities. I want to help and this is a place for me to gather resources.

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