These barriers of attitude and economy, of structure and power – which “we the normal” have constructed, cementing them with “normalization” of ourselves and our own horizons of ability – not only push people with disabilities to the margin… they serve to keep them there – to keep them away.
Author: Jim Baker
Marginal Mission Network leader with ReachGlobal Europe, passionate about serving at the margins. We are now living in the woods in VA working on restoring an old grist mill and farmhouse to host a community that will provide, rest, restoration, reflection, training, connections... and lots of good music!
Covering self-interest with “spiritual principles” | Questions Jesus Asked – 12
Which of you who has a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath will not take hold of it and lift it out? (Matt 12:11) An argument is set off when the Pharisees observe Jesus and his followers walking through a field of grain, picking, husking, and eating kernels as they go….
“Created not for good things” – A Roma leader on Roma worldview
A while back, I published a series of articles based on the experience of interacting with Chinese, Roma, and European mission leaders last fall. We continue to work with the networks that have emerged and grown in such gatherings, and in the many personal connections nurtured as the work goes forward. One of the presentations…
Who or what “disables” people with disabilities? | “I see a church with no disabled people” Part 3
We’ve been taking on a couple of prevalent ideas about disability: first, that it’s a problem that involves certain individuals’ brains and/or bodies and secondly, that “we’re all disabled” in one form or another. Yes, everyone is different. And no one is able to be or do everything they might like to be or do….
International Holocaust Remembrance Day – Katherine Quarmby on Roma and the Disabled
Today, January 27, has been designated by the United Nations as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The SERVEurope Catalyst Team, with whom I work, is passionate about healthy identification with and full inclusion into the Church and community of people who have experienced marginalization. We are particularly passionate about ministering to, and with, the Roma. And…
When is a believer not a believer? | Questions Jesus Asked 11
If you do not believe Moses’ writings how will you believe me? (John 5:47) Jesus has just been speaking about “accepting” praise from “peers” as opposed to “seeking” it from God. These peers were those who were assigned with “policing religious orthodoxy.” Jesus’ curing of a man’s impairment has taken place on a day that…
“We’re ALL disabled” – NOT! | “I see a church with no disabled people” Part 2
The marginalization of “difference” is not overcome by ignoring or minimizing the difference. That’s true in many areas of life, particularly disability.
Disability is not a matter of bodies or brains | “I see a church with no disabled people” Part 1
I have shared, posted about, blogged on and advocated for the proposition that “disability ministry” must not be seen as “optional equipment” on the “vehicle” of the church, but that it is essential to the church BEING (and becoming) the Church. I want to take some time to develop an argument that, I believe, leads…
Mill Pond Porch 