Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families

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Book Description: How Churches of Every Size Can Create Inclusive Ministry Spaces for People with Disabilities An estimated one in 5 households has a child with a disability. Many of these families miss out on church due to a lack of physical or social accommodations. And while ministry leaders want to help, they often don’t know how to with limited space, budget, and trained volunteers. Churches must understand the challenges that disability families face so they can remove barriers to biblical fellowship. Sandra Peoples, a disability ministry consultant and professor, has equipped hundreds of churches, large and small, to reach children and teens who have various cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and behavioral and mental health diagnoses. Caring for disabled family members of her own, she understands what it takes to create a welcoming, inclusive space that supports children with a variety of diagnoses into adulthood. Through expert advice and practical examples, she shows ministry leaders how they can make their spaces—and the gospel—accessible to all. Practical: Features creative ways that churches can adapt their teaching style, classrooms, safety policies, and more to accommodate special needs families Written by an Experienced Consultant and Professor: Peoples draws from her years of expertise as well as her personal experience as a caregiver A Great Resource for Churches and Families: Ideal for pastors and volunteers in children’s ministry, family ministry, disability ministry, and more, as well as parents of children with disabilities Addresses a Variety of Needs: Including Down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma-related issues Includes a Foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada Read Sample Pages Table of ContentsForewordAuthor's Note about TerminologyIntroductionChapter 1: Laying the Foundation: A Theology of DisabilityChapter 2: Who Is Missing? Do Our Pews Reflect Our Communities?Chapter 3: Preparing for Accessibility: Programs, Places, and PoliciesChapter 4: Your Ministry Team: Everyone Has a Role in AccessibilityChapter 5: Student Support: The Goal Is the GospelChapter 6: Whole-Family Inclusion: Strengthening Marriages and Supporting SiblingsChapter 7: Beyond Children’s Ministry: Inclusion for Every Age and Life StageChapter 8: Growing Your Ministry: Marketing and Outreach IdeasConclusionAcknowledgmentsDiscussion and Application Questions Author: Sandra Peoples (MDiv) is the disability ministry consultant for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and an adjunct professor for the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University, teaching classes in disability ministry. Sandra is currently a PhD student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She and her family live outside Houston, Texas. You can connect with her at sandrapeoples.com. Endorsements: “Theologically grounded and deeply practical, Accessible Church will give clear direction to any church that desires to be welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities and their families. I’m grateful for Sandra Peoples’s advocacy on behalf of families like mine and creating ways for all people to experience God’s plans, purposes, and blessings through disability.”--Laura Wifler, mom to a child with a disability; author, Like Me: A Story About Disability and Discovering God’s Image in Every Person “Sandra Peoples has provided a biblically grounded and clinically aware guide to disability ministry. As the dad of a young adult with autism, I was moved by the compassion and intentionality expressed in Accessible Church. As a church leader, I’m grateful for a resource that’s practical and scalable for congregations of different sizes and budgets. This will be my go-to recommendation for churches looking to start or mature a ministry to special-needs children, students, adults, and their families.”--Jared Kennedy, Managing Editor for Books and Curriculum, The Gospel Coalition; author, The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible and Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission “Few churches are equipped to welcome our brothers and sisters with disabilities, not because we don’t want to but because we don’t know how. Sandra Peoples wants to help churches be well prepared for the task. Her pioneering work is a gift to the church. If you are a pastor who desires to serve saints with disabilities, you and your staff need this book.”--Daniel Darling, Director, The Land Center for Cultural Engagement; author, The Dignity Revolution and Agents of Grace “Sandra Peoples has given us a plethora of practical steps in this important book. Her many years of living with people with disabilities and working ‘in the trenches’ has produced wisdom that she translates effectively into pragmatic, down-to-earth models for ministry in the church. The church needs to read, absorb, and apply this wisdom. I am grateful Sandra has labored long to produce this faithful resource, and I recommend it heartily and with gratitude.”--Michael S. Beates, Chaplain and Bible Teacher, The Geneva School; author, Disability and the Gospel “As a father of a son with a disability, I’ve seen firsthand the profound beauty and challenges that come with raising a child who doesn’t fit the world’s narrow definition of ‘normal.’ But Sandra Peoples reminds us in Accessible Church that God’s grace shines brightest in our weakness. This book is a powerful call to the church to embrace families like mine—not with pity but with purpose. People with disabilities are not to be looked down on; they are some of the greatest teachers of God’s goodness, joy, and unconditional love. Sandra weaves together theology, personal experience, and practical wisdom to show how every church can be a place where the gospel reaches and transforms everyone. This is more than a book; it’s an invitation to see God’s glory in unexpected places.”--Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director, North American Mission Board; author, 9 Common Lies Christians Believe “In my estimation, this is the most complete book on disability ministry that is currently available. Sandra Peoples approaches a bevy of crucial topics with biblical wisdom, ministerial understanding, practical knowledge, and personal experience. This is more than a book; it is a valuable resource, and a necessary tool, for anyone who has come alongside individuals whose lives are impacted by disability.”--Chris Hulshof, Disability Ministry Program Director, John W. Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University; author, Jesus and Disability: A Guide to Creating an Inclusive Church “Every church should be accessible to everyone. In Accessible Church, Sandra Peoples casts a compelling vision of the why and how of becoming more accessible to the disabled community. Read this book, but more importantly, do whatever it takes to implement the wisdom it contains.”--Kyle Idleman, Senior Pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky “Gospel centered through and through, built on a rock-solid theological foundation, and practical on every level: This wonderful book checks all the boxes! Its theme—‘the goal is the gospel’—rings consistently in every chapter. What a beautiful gift Sandra Peoples has given to the church.”--Stephanie O. Hubach, Research Fellow in Disability Ministries, Covenant Theological Seminary; author, Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability “The main reason many churches struggle to include people with disabilities is because they don’t know where to start. Sandra fixes that! She leads readers by the hand through the journey, providing a solid theological foundation (and destination), and then gently and practically pointing out the realities and blessings afforded by offering belonging for people with disabilities!”--Dan Vander Plaats, adult with a speech disorder; creator, The Fives Stages: The Journey of Disability Attitudes; Vice President of Development, Acts 29 Additional Information: Cover: SoftcoverNumber of Pages: 178Publisher: CrosswayPublication Date: 2025 Show more