Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Ministering Spiritually to Families pp 181–195Cite as

Christian Principles for Ministering to Families with Children with Disabilities

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

The principles of Judeo-Christian thought offer a higher rationality from which to see, understand and minister with those who have disabilities and with those who love them. It begins with a view of the human person’s highest and most real identity, which goes far beyond our disabilities and the utilitarian abilities valued by our secular culture. This view from “above” offers us God’s perspective, which is larger, greater and more creative than current law, theory and/or practice admits. It begins with a view of the “disabled”, first and foremost, as a beloved and essential member of God’s very diverse family in which we are all like cells in Christ’s body on earth. Operating from this perspective we are all offered an exquisite opportunity to increase in wholeness and holiness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bogdan, R., & Taylor, S. (1989). Relationships with severely disabled people: The social constructions of humanness. Social Problems, 36(2), 135–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, G. (2003). Is God to blame? Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Britt, D., Risinger, S., Miller, V., Mans, M., Krivchenia, E., & Evans, M. (1999). Determinants of parental decisions after the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome: Bringing in context. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 93(5), 410–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, W., & Strawn, B. (2010, Spring). Spiritual flourishing and embodied life, Theology News and Notes, 57(1), 21–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, E. (2007). Including people with disabilities in faith communities: A guide for service providers, families & congregations. Baltimore: Paul H Brookes Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavaletti, S. (1992). The religious potential of the child (trans: P. & J. Coulter). Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colson, E., & Colson, C. (2010). Dancing with Max. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eiesland, N. (1984). The disabled God: Toward a liberation theology of disability. Baltimore: Abington Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaventa, B. (2005). Celebrating the sacred in shared meals: Grace and blessing. In K. M. Schwier & E.S. Stewart (Eds.), Breaking bread, nourishing connections: People with and without disabilities together at mealtime (p. 115). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guggenbühl, L. (1858). Atlantic Monthly, 1(4), 41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland, A. (2007). Counseling in communication disorders. San Diego: Plural Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horning, K. (2011). Just the way I am: God’s good design in disability. Bernidji: Christian Focus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendall, R. T. (2007). Total forgiveness. Lake Mary: Charisma House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessler Foundation & National Organization on Disability. (2010). The ADA, 20 years later: Survey of Americans with disabilities. http://www.nod.org. Accessed 8 Sept 2010.

  • King M. L., Jr., Carson C., & Halloran P. (Eds.). (1998). A knock at midnight. New York: Grand Central Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • King M. L. (1998). The autobiography of Martin Luther King. New York: Warner Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaRocque, M., & Eigenbrood, R. (2005). Community access: A survey of congregational accessibility for people with disabilities. Journal of Religion, Disability, & Health, 9, 55–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, C. S. (1962). The problem of pain. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacIntyre, A. (1999). Dependent rational animals: Why human beings need the virtues. Chicago: Open Court.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansfield, C., Hopfer, S., Martineau, T. (1999). Termination rates after prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, spina bifida, anencephaly, and Turner and Klinefelter syndromes: A systematic literature review. Prenatal Diagnosis, 19(9), 808–812.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moltman, J. (1989). Liberate yourselves by accepting one another. In N. Eiesland & D. Saliers (Eds.), Human disability and the service of God: Reassessing religious practice (pp. 105–122). Nashville: Abingdon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nouwen, H. (1989). Sermon 3301: Journey to L’Arche. http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/nouwen_3301.htm. Accessed 22 Sept 2010.

  • Nouwen, H. (1990). The wounded healer. New York: Image Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nouwen, H. (1997). Adam, God’s beloved. Maryknoll: Orbis Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nouwen, H. (2002). The life of the beloved. New York: Crossroad Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orthodox Church of America. (2009). Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops of America (OCA). Disability and communion. Orthodox Church of America at http://www.oca.org/RHPrint.asp?ID=268. Accessed 8 Sept 2010. (Orthodox Christian Disability Resources. (2009). http://ocdresources.files.wordpress.com. Accessed 22 Sept 2010).

  • Pope Benedict XVI. (2009). Caritas in Veritate. Rome: The Vatican.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope John Paul II (1984). Salvifici Doloris. Rome: The Vatican.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope Paul VI (1971). Rerun Novarum. Rome: The Vatican.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poplin, M. (2008). Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa taught me about meaningful work and service. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). (1989). Celebration of that all may enter: Responding to disability concerns. Louisville: Office of General Assembly & The Education and Congregational Nurture Ministry Unit.

    Google Scholar 

  • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). (2006). Living into the body of Christ: Toward full inclusion of people with disabilities. Louisville: Office of General Assembly & The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy of the General Assembly Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, D. (2010). Parents of autistic children no more likely to divorce than other parents. http://www.emaxhealth.com/1506/parents-autistic-children-no-more-likely-divorce-other-parents.html. Accessed 22 Sept 2010.

  • Rogers, S. (1999). Hearing them into voice: The hermeneutics of listening to children who do not speak. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Claremont Graduate University. Claremont.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, S., & Mayne, L. (In press). I-Communicate. Baltimore: Brookes Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seguin, E. (1907). Idiocy: It’s treatment by the physiological method. New York: Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seltzer, M., Greenberg, J.S., Floyd, F. J., Pettee, Y., & Hong, J. (2001). Life course impacts of parenting a child with a disability. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 106(3), 265–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silvoso, E. (1994). That none should perish. Ventura: Regal Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smedes, L. (1984). Forgive. New York: Pocket Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. D. (1998). Histories of special education: Stories from our past, insights for our future. Remedial and Special Education, 19(4), 196–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tada, J. E. (1997). When God weeps: Why our sufferings matter to Almighty. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tada, J. E. (2007). Hope: The best of things. Wheaton: Crossway Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tada, J. E. (2009). A lifetime of wisdom: Embracing the way God heals you. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tada, J. E. & Estes, S. (1997). When God weeps: Why sufferings matter to the almighty. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Westminster Shorter Catechism 7.001. (2007). The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part I, Book of Confessions (2007). Louisville: Office of the General Assembly, 175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornburgh, G. (Ed.). (1992). That all may worship: An interfaith welcome to people with disabilities. Washington, DC: National Organization on Disability.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Methodist Committee on Relief. (2010). Making your church accessible. http://new.gbgmumc.org/umcor/work/health/disc/churchaccessible/. Accessed 18 Sept 2010.

  • U.S. Census Bureau. (1992). http://www.census.gov/population/www/pop-profile/disabil.html. Accessed 18 Sept 2010.

  • Vanier, J. (1979). Community and growth. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanier, J. (1992). From brokenness to community. Mahwah: Paulist Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanier, J. (1995). An ark for the poor: The story of L’Arche. Toronto: Novalis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanier, J. (1997). Our journey home. Toronto: Novalis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanier, J. (1998). Becoming human. Mahwah: Paulist Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanier, J. (2004). Drawn into the mystery of Jesus through the gospel of John. New York: Paulist Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vickers, C. (2008). Social networks after the onset of aphasia: The impact of communication recovery groups. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vickers, C. (2010). Social networks after the onset of aphasia: The impact of aphasia group attendance. Aphasiology, 24(6–8), 902–913.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilke, H. (1992). Creating the caring congregation. In G. Thornburgh (Ed.), That all may worship: An interfaith welcome to people with disabilities. Washington, DC: National Organization on Disability.

    Google Scholar 

  • Worrall, L. (2006). Professionalism and functional outcomes. Journal of Communication Disorders, 39(4), 320–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Education, Claremont Graduate University, 150 East Tenth Street, 91711, Claremont, CA, USA

    Mary Poplin

Authors
  1. Mary Poplin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary Poplin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, California, USA

    William Jeynes

  2. Department of Education, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California, USA

    Enedina Martinez

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Poplin, M. (2015). Christian Principles for Ministering to Families with Children with Disabilities. In: Jeynes, W., Martinez, E. (eds) Ministering Spiritually to Families. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13302-7_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation