ACCESS LEADERSHIP NETWORK
Resources
The AcLN Resource team connects people and shares resources to support the church’s ministry with and by people with disabilities to facilitate Christian community among the body of believers, growing and serving together.
Please check out the Training page for more resources.
Read our past newsletters:
Resources for your Church
Discussion Videos
Imago Dei – Access – October 2023
Erik W. Carter offers ten elements of belonging: to be present, invited, welcomed, known, accepted, supported, cared for, befriended, needed, and loved. Focused on moving from barriers to inclusion of persons with special needs in a faith community, Carter provides an inventory through which any faith-based community—parish, school, classroom, committee—can evaluate itself on how it engenders a sense of belonging. Carter also offers many concrete strategies for inclusion.
The AcLN’s research team researches biblically sound perspectives on disability ministry and what it means to be a valued member of the body of Christ, to help guide and inform the advocacy, training, and resources of Access Leadership Network and ministry in local churches.
PUBLISHED ARTICLES:
We have found the research and work of Dr. Erik Carter to be helpful in offering practical suggestions and strategies to guide a church in creating communities of belonging for those with and without disabilities.
National Disability and Ministry Study
Included below are the first snapshots of findings from Dr. Erik Carter’s National Disability and Ministry Study.
Issue No. 1
In this first issue, we address the “facets of ministry” across 200 churches. In other words, we describe the breadth of ways churches intentionally serve and support people with disabilities and/or their families. In addition, we provide an overview of those churches that are active in this area—their denominations, size, ministry start date, and individuals served. View it here.
Issue No. 2
The Pandemic’s Impact on Disability Ministry:
Early Snapshots from the National Disability and Ministry Study
View it here.
Fostering Belonging
Erik W. Carter offers ten elements of belonging: to be present, invited, welcomed, known, accepted, supported, cared for, befriended, needed, and loved. Focused on moving from barriers to inclusion of persons with special needs in a faith community, Carter provides an inventory through which any faith-based community—parish, school, classroom, committee—can evaluate itself on how it engenders a sense of belonging. Carter also offers many concrete strategies for inclusion.
Seasonal Resources
Organizations
Joni and Friends
Church training resources – helping churches welcome and embrace people with disabilities.
With Ministries
Key Ministry
Getting started – a checklist for beginning a special needs & disability inclusion ministry
Resource for families – books and articles, parenting topics, and respite care.
Heart of the Caregiver
Learning to love and care for ourselves and others well. Bible study materials & groups. Retreats with other caregivers.
DeafChurch Together
“DeafChurch Together” is an online, liturgical expression of the Christian faith in the Anglican tradition that follows the lectionary.
Disability Studies, Theology, and Faith Formation
Disability: Living into the Diversity of Christ's Body
By Brian Brock
Walking with Jesus in Strange Places
Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful: A Biblical Vision for Education in the Church
By S. Steve Kang and Gary A. Parrett
Disability in the Christian Tradition: A Reader
by John Swinton
Access ACNA – Slack group
If you care about disability ministry within the ACNA, please email Kathy Ayres to join the Slack workspace to share resources and build a network of support. You are not alone!