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Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down alearner (0)
United States

Cody, you are exactly right, we really do not have a money problem in our churches.  We do, however, have a priority problem.  We spend our money on what we value.  And sadly, we just do not seem to value the disabled.  I also agree that we should not just consider the church as a building.  Every person is a valuable member of our "family."  And we would never even think of not providing for one of our biological familly members, would we?

12.04.2011

Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Cody_Lorance (11)   
United States
@ alearner:

Amen!

19.04.2011

Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down alearner (0)
United States

Cody, I so appreciate your willingness to advocate for the needs of the disabled. If we truly did go out and bring in the disabled as you suggest, I am afraid we would be totally unprepared to meet their needs.  Money is tight in our churches today and renovation of older buildings is very expensive.  Yet I know that money should not be a barrier to reaching people.  I also want you to know that one of my elderly homebound women loved to read a Joni devotional book that was given to her.  I think she identified with Joni’s limitations, because she had physical limitations as well, though different from Joni’s.  I believe she is providing help to many people with many different physical challenges.  May God bless you in  your work in the Wiindy City. 

03.04.2011

Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Cody_Lorance (11)   
United States
@ alearner:

Though I certainly feel the pinch of decreased giving in our churches, I don’t buy the idea that money is actually tight.  Perhaps tighter, but our wealth is still pretty staggering in the US.  I believe that there is no real financial barrier to obedience of God’s will.  Financial excuses? Yes. But no true barriers.

Beyond this, if we think beyond the idea of church as a building that we bring people to and think more biblically of church as a family that people become a part of, then some of the concerns you’ve raised fall away.  

11.04.2011

Reply Flag 1 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Therese (2)  
Belgium

alltoug  I have sent comment at the original text page. I like to copy it here. 

The European Disability Network is indeed a network of all kinds of ministies to and with people with a disability. We are linked with Joni and Friends and some off our European partners are in partnership with Joni and Friends USA. Our partners with best resources are Trought the Roof http://www.throughtheroof.org/ and  Causeway Prospects http://www.prospects.org.uk/

your input on Luc 14 and 1 Cor 12:22 are so deep in my heart but I am not good in editing a paper on a specific topic.

Disability is affecting every area of our society, but we don’t see it very often because a lot of disabled people are isolated in their homes. Very often (in eastern countries) they can’t come out because they live in houses not accessible, f.e. without a lift. They very often do not have wheelchairs if they need them. Very often churches are so busy doing evangelism, that they do not have time to visit these people, or they even don’t know somebody with a disability lives in their own appartment bloc. And jet, so much good is going on.

The European Disability Network is an ambrella with about 20 Christian minitries among the disabled people.

I hope to meet with you in Cape Town, just look out for a lady that uses a wheelchair most of the time.

Thérèse

02.07.2010

Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Cody_Lorance (11)   
United States
@ Therese:

@Therese

 

Thanks so much for your reply.  I appreciate you sharing these specific resources with us.  I do hope to meet you in Cape Town!

02.07.2010

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