Theology, Justice and Hospitality Resources

We recognize and affirm the full humanity and personhood of all individuals with mental, physical, developmental, neurological, and psychological conditions or disabilities as full members of the family of God.

We also affirm their rightful place in both the church and society. We affirm the responsibility of the Church and society to be in ministry with children, youth, and adults with mental, physical, developmental, and/or psychological and neurological conditions or disabilities whose particular needs in the areas of mobility, communication, intellectual comprehension, or personal relationships might make more challenging their participation or that of their families in the life of the Church and the community. (The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, ¶162.I)

These resources can help your church to open hearts, minds, and doors by reducing ableism and becoming more inclusive (or better inclusive) of people with disabilities.

Online resources

• Disability Ministries of The United Methodist Church website (https://umcdmc.org) includes resources for  contains a wealth of information and resources.
  • Disability Ministries Committee of The United Methodist Church Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DisAbilityMinistriesUM

• “Welcoming Children with Disabilities: A Resource List” (https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/welcoming-children-with-disabilities)

• The United Methodist Committee on Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Ministries resource page. (https://www.umdeaf.org/resource/cong.html) Best practices guides, informational brochures, bulletin inserts, ASL videos.

• “Children's Literature on Disabilities” (https://www.igrc.org/disability_childrenslit) reading list from the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.

• “Disability Inclusion for Ministry” ( https://odtd.net/disability-inclusion-for-ministry/)  Resources from Opening Doors to Discipleship

• “Autism and Faith: A Journey into Community” (https://boggscenter.rwjms.rutgers.edu/resources/publications/autism-and-faith) This booklet contains facts about autism, pastoral care, religious education, strategies for supporting families, and a list of resources.

• “The Julian Way” blog (https://thejulianway.org/blog) Reflections by disability advocate and ordained Deacon, Rev. Justin Hancock

Recommended Reading

• The United Methodist Church and Disability: Essays and Practical Tips for Churches, Clergy, and People with Disabilities, by Rebecca L. Holland.
• My Body Is Not a Prayer Request, by Amy Kenny
• The Church and People with Disabilities: Awareness, Accessibility, and Advocacy by Bishop Peggy A. Johnson. See the Leader's Guide (PDF). 
• A Kid’s Book about Disabilities, by Kristine Napper
• Disability Visibility (Adapted for Young Adults): 17 First-Person Stories for Today, by Alice Wong
• Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally, by Emily Ladau
• Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, & Congregationsby Eric Carter
• Beyond Accessibility: Toward Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Faith Communities, by Brett Webb-Mitchell
• The Julian Way: A Theology of Fullness for all of God’s People, by Justin Hancock
• Autism and the Church: Bible, Theology, and Community, by Grant Macaskill
• Disability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing in the Gospels and the Church, by Bethany McKinney Fox
• The Disabled God: Toward a Liberatory Theology of Disability by Nancy L. Eiseland