We have an open and candid discussion about sex and disability ministry. Do churches shy away from this subject? Is it better taught in a class or one-on-one? How do you even start talking about this with your group? We also talk through three real-world scenarios based on incidents Ryan experienced during his time as a disability ministry pastor.

Read over Psalms 139: 14-16 (NIV) and ask yourself: Do you truly believe that? We do. In fact, we believe that disability is beautiful and belongs to everyone. In this episode, Ryan and Jason discuss the origins of DisabilityIsBeautiful.com and why it is one of our favorite resources. For all of the links mentioned in this episode, visit abilityministry.com/blog

In this episode, we discuss all things volunteers. Specifically, how do you train and prepare volunteers for disability ministry, what tools and resources are available to make sure they are biblically grounded, how to prevent burnout, as well as Ryan's top picks for the free resources you should start with. Visit abilityministry.com for quick links to all resources mentioned in this episode.

“We don’t have a disability ministry at our church because there aren’t any people here with a disability.” Have you ever heard that as a reason why a church has no disability ministry? Perhaps you have said that yourself. Ryan Wolfe, president and executive director of Ability Ministry joins the conversation today to talk through this misconception and what to do when you encounter it. All links and resources mentioned in this episode will be available on our blog/.

Psalm 139:13-16 NLT speaks of being made wonderfully complex with marvelous workmanship. It is easy to read that scripture and agree. But is it as easy to apply that? In this episode, we talk about an instance where this marvelous workmanship could have been overlooked and some ways to help recognize them quicker.

Resources:

• Voice Aloud Reader app
• Disability Etiquette resource
• Wrong Assumptions about Disability
• What Does the Bible Really Say About Disability?
• First Impressions Checklist
• Spiritual Gifts Assessment for Disability Ministry
• Free consultation request

In this episode of Start With Hello: Conversations About Disability, Jason discusses a fun way to review lessons in your classroom and ways to modify the activity based on your group.

Resources in this episode:

• Article: Tic-Tac-Toe: Fun Game to Add to Your Class
• Article: Puzzles and Fruit of the Spirit
• Article: Sometimes It's OK to Throw Things at Church
• 4:8 Men Podcast
• VOUS Church
• Amazon: Giant Tic Tac Toe Game
• Amazon: Rainbow Colored Duct Tape
• Amazon: Suction Cup Ball

Some stats about men being involved in ministry along with creative ways to get men to step up and become more involved with disability ministry.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Trivia Night: Getting Men Involved in Disability Ministry
• Getting Men Involved in Disability Ministry
• Rise Fitness
• Free disability ministry consultation

Helpful articles and statistics:

• “Why Religion Matters: The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability,” The Heritage Foundation Backgrounder
• Work, Family, and Religious Involvement for Men and Women
• Religious Youth Are More Likely to Have Positive Relationships with Their Fathers
• The Relative Risk of Divorce in Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: Impacts of Lifelong Parenting

“We believe God has given each of us unique abilities and talents for His glory and our good.”

As leaders and volunteers, do we really believe that? Do we live that out in our classes? In March, Jason Morrison spoke to a group of volunteers with the Shine Ministry at Southeast Christian Church about some ways to engage in a classroom. This episode covers tips on engagement, a different way to view those in your class, as well as some fun bonus details.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Head Coach Blog
• Strategies of Engagement with Ryan Wolfe
• Fun Time Fillers
• Southeast Christian Church Shine Ministry
• Disability Is Beautiful