Disability and Christianity

In this book, Mark I. Pinsky has gathered stories from churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples across the country, "stories of people with disabilities and the congregations where they have found welcome." He has taken special care to include the widest range of disabilities, including non-apparent disabilities like lupus, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, depression, and mental illness.

In this book, congregations are challenged by fourteen writers to re-envision their actual practices of communal life and worship. This collaborative work shows that the "service of God" as liturgy and as communal accountability can deepen and mature only as the diversity of human capabilities is honored.

Including both theoretical discussions and practical information for congregational use or pastoral use, this rich, accessible book explores biblical text, historical and theological issues of disability, and examples of successful ministry by people with disabilities.

This book aims to educate, to reflect theologically and to provide practical advice and guidance. It contains first-hand personal experiences of people with disabilities, a theological reflection by John Hull, and a resource section containing addresses, websites and practical advice on improving your church's inclusivity.

Substance addictions present a unique set of challenges for pastoral care. In this book Sonia Waters weaves together personal stories, research, and theological reflection to offer helpful tools for ministers, counselors, chaplains, and anyone else called to care pastorally for those struggling with addiction.

In this handbook, Dr. Sue Parry gathers the clinical and pastoral knowledge of a generation for pastoral caregivers, seminary educators, and professionals in ministry. Providing a sophisticated and comprehensive framework, the book demonstrates and facilitates the vital role that churches can play in addressing, not just the clinical, but also the deeper cultural and religious dimension of the HIV epidemic.

In this book, Dr. Stephen Grcevich presents a simple and flexible model for mental health inclusion ministry for implementation by churches of all sizes, denominations, and organizational styles. The model is based upon recognition of seven barriers to church attendance and assimilation resulting from mental illness.

In a quest for pastoral care that is fundamentally collaborative and fully inclusive, Shurley turns to the psychology of D. W. Winnicott and to Karl Barth's theology of Christian vocation. From this combination, she crafts person-centered pastoral care for the body of Christ and all its members, with or without intellectual disabilities.

A Guide to Deaf Ministry reveals that serving deaf people involves cross-cultural communication. Those who would minister to the deaf must understand their needs, their language, their world. This book encompasses all these things, showing readers how to begin a deaf ministry, the resources that are available, what the deaf culture is like, and the special aspects of interpreting through sign in the church and worship settings.