Building Ramps Toward Belonging: Tools for Leaders and Volunteers

by Dr. Evelyn Worth McMullen

In my disability ministry work with congregational leaders, the question I have heard most often is not: “How can each person experience the love of God?” The question I hear most is, “How can we meet the needs of this family? We can’t start a disability ministry. We don’t even have the volunteers we need for our ‘regular kids.’”

If this is your question, you may be experiencing a common barrier to inclusion in ministry. We may think disability ministry is about building physical ramps into our buildings or starting a major new ministry initiative. Let’s begin to build ramps toward belonging: inclusive relationships.

Presbyterians for Disability Concerns is excited to highlight a new set of videos: tools to help you build those ramps toward belonging.  Disability Inclusion for Ministry (2022)  In these three videos, Katie Snyder guides congregational leaders through important ways to engage people of all abilities in ministry. She effectively demonstrates that there is no “one size fits all” strategy for disability inclusion. She shows leaders how to begin with the particular needs of the people in their congregation and then to develop strategies to help them engage with and use their gifts in ministry.

One video is an introduction (14 min.)

Second video focuses on the particular needs of “Engaging Disabled Adults” (8 min.)

Third video describes “Engaging Children and Youth in Ministry” (19 min.)

The videos were produced by Opening Doors to Discipleship, a website full of resources made available through APCE (Association of Partners in Christian Education) in partnership with the Office of Christian Formation in the Presbyterian Mission Agency. These videos and accompanying resources provide important points for congregational leaders to consider as they get to know people of all abilities in the body of Christ.

From Katie Snyder, “I think there are three big takeaways from the module I created for any church.

• First, it’s not just about welcoming disabled people into our ministries it’s about active participation. Disabled people have things to offer to the church. You accomplish this deeper experience through relationships. You have to know the people or can’t be accommodating in the way that they need because everyone and every disability is different. Start with who you have and build from there.
• Second, it’s not always about a capital campaign and changing your building. A lot of times it’s about the attitudes, understanding, and education about disability. Ramps and elevators are part of being accommodating but if you stop there then you are missing the point.
• Third, you don’t have to do everything. Do what you can do and do it well.”

Dr. Evelyn Worth McMullen was the founder and director of Bright Threads Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to helping churches weave the bright threads of people with disabilities into the fabric of congregational life. She is now retired and living in Greensboro, NC.

Katie Snyder is a Certified Christian Educator for the PC(USA) working in the Office of Special Offerings.