MissionAccess

Tag: Disability Evangelism

  • Theology Matters!

    Theologian A. W. Tozer said that “What I believe about God is the most important thing about me.” [1]  Yeah verily!  For whether you are disabled or not, what you believe about God impacts every single aspect of your life both here and in the hereafter.  So join me as we launch boldly into a new Blog series entitled:  Theology Matters: Considering Calvinism.

    MA BLOG IMAGE 102915 MARTIN LUTHER
    Image Source: istockphoto.com

    For this ambitious goal we shall consult the erudite theological source: Christianity For Dummies.

    So let’s start with a look at Calvinism, including a brief history along with some basic characteristics as well as some comparisons with another important theological concept called Arminianism.

    The Catholic Church—pretty much the only game in town in the early 1500s—began selling “indulgences” to help absolve the sinful sheep in the flock (think “Get Out of Hell Free Prepaid Debit Card). This aroused the indignation of a truly righteous man named Martin Luther who on October 31, 1521 nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg.  His protest earned him the title of First Protestant and his followers became known as Lutherans.

    Around the mid-1500’s the Second major Protestant Movement headed by John Calvin (who fathered a theology known as Calvinism, or 5-Point Calvinism) [2] summed up his theology with the acronym “TULIP.”  However the basic premise of Calvinism is that though we are saved through God’s Grace alone, He still has to make the first move which became known as Predestination. Oh and by the way—it’s not open to everyone:  just the “Elect” whom He chose before the foundation of the earth.

    Gee I never met a Calvinist who wasn’t one of the elite Elect.  Weird, right?

    Fast forward to the late 1600’s and a Dutch Pastor named Jacobus Arminius who rejected Calvinism’s foundational concept of Predestination with his own Five-Point theology known as Arminianism. Though they agreed on the Total Depravity of man, unlike Calvinism, Arminianism allows for Free Will meaning that man can freely choose to accept God’s gracious gift of salvation.  But alas!  Man also has the freedom to totally blow it and lose his salvation forever. 

    Ouch! Talk about defeat from the jaws of victory!

    But seriously folks–bottom line?  Know what you Believe and Live it.  For with it, everything matters.  Yet without it, nothing else ever could.     

    In His Accessible Grace,

     

    Linda

    [1] http://www.iwise.com/i7Ma6

     

    [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism#Five_points_of_Calvinism

     

  • Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

    MA BLOG Fearfully and Wonderfully Made 022714Greetings & Blessings Faithful Followers of MissionAccess!  Any poets out there?  OK before you tune out allow me to gently remind you that Poetry Fanatic or not, you are God’s poetry—His Poema.  His Divine Creation.

    Speaking of creations divine (and others not so much)…The fanciful fruits of my 2014 Polar Vortex Office Purge just keep springing forth.  Suffice to say however that my latest discovery buried in decades of handwritten journals is far from my finest literary hour.  However since I envisioned myself somewhat of a Robert Frost resurrected (though not yet revealed) I dutifully scratched out this tortured iambic-pentameter treatise of unrequited love:

    Locked upon the cold steel rails of fate

    On predetermined trains with windows sealed

    Gaze longingly upon the blurring field

    Aching just to see what lies beyond

    Helpless now except to ride along

    Thinking back it never seemed so late

    Oh!  If not your eyes had been so blue

    Unknown to you, while smiling, nod and shift

    So normally yet all the while I drift

    On gales so cluttered up with fate’s debris

    That what’s being said is meaningless to me

    For never was it ever meant to be.

    “On gales so cluttered up with fate’s debris?!!” Lord have mercy!  Praise God that our Heavenly Father never penned such shameful atrocities!  For unlike my twisted attempt at Poema, you are fearfully and wonderfully made Imago Dei—In His Image.  Regardless of your disability, God knew you before you were “knit together in your mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 NIV) and loved you unconditionally with an everlasting love since before time began.

    And unlike my troubled attempt that successfully snatched defeat from the jaws of poetic victory, God never fails to create each and every human being with a Plan and a Purpose for His Glory.  Let not His Unfailing Love for us go unrequited.  Rather may our efforts to transform Disability Ministry woo more people and families affected by disability into a loving relationship with their Author for all eternity.

    In His Accessible Grace,

    Linda

    Image Source:  http://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/567/flashcards/753567/jpg/sistine_chapel1319610419918.jpg

     

  • Join Us As We PROPEL! 2014

    November 22, 2013MA LOGO 111813

    Greetings & Blessings Faithful Followers of MissionAccess.org!

    As we enter boldly into this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for Faithful Followers like you who “Like” what we do on Facebook & Twitter.

    Now I welcome You to come alongside us with your financial support as we PROPEL 2014!…and beyond. 

    Click here to find out how:   MA FALL 2013 PDF Opportunity Letter 112213

    Thanks For The Opportunity! 

    In His Accessible Grace,

    Linda

  • Repairers & Restorers: Rejoice!

    What an honor to receive the “Guardian of the Power and Rights of People with Disabilities Award” from REACH of Plano http://www.reachcils.org/locations/plano (a Center for Independent Living), in honor of Justin Dart, Father of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).  This new award is given in his honor to those who like Justin  have “embodied his wishes:  Advocate for others with disabilities, show Passion, Persistence, Fervent activism, Honesty, Respectful, demonstrate gentleness, love, and appreciation for all the abilities of people & work for the social inclusion of people with disabilities in the community.”

    Wow.  First reaction?  I am unworthy.  Thankful, but unworthy.  There is so much more work to be done!  Hardly time to stop and acknowledge my feeble efforts on behalf of people and families affected by disability.

    Yet this morning my reading from Isaiah 58:9-12 speaks of a similar award:  the “Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings” bestowed upon those who “do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk…in behalf of the hungry and …the needs of the oppressed…”

    And the reward for that?  IMHO FAR outweighs the efforts involved:

    “then your light will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.
    The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
    You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail.”

    Strengthen my frame?  Be well-watered? With springs that never fail? I’ll take it, Lord! And be thankful.

    So fear not you Repairers & Restorers who toil tirelessly in the service of others affected by disability!  For You shall be richly rewarded in ways that you could never even imagine.

    In His Accessible Grace,

    Linda

    Image Source: http://user.xmission.com/~forsyth/images/forsyth-b.jpg

  • To Compel? Or To Propel?

    MA IMAGES LIFT OFF 101013
    Image Source: http://u-f-o2012.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Lift-Off.jpg

    Today I ponder a relatively simple yet profound question regarding my evangelistic efforts to reach people and families affected by disability::

    To Compel?  Or To Propel?

    Do I compel people into a relationship w Jesus Christ? Or do I propel?

    So what’s the difference?   Huge.  A simple word search in my trusty Roget’s Thesaurus reveals a very compelling (pun intended) case for why our efforts to evangelize—especially for people and families affected by disability—is not propelling people to propagate the pews of our local churches:

    ►COMPEL , v. make, coerce, drive (FORCE);  necessitate, make necessary, force (NECESSITY).

    Yoikes!  Sounds more like Health Care than the Love of God!  But is that where we are missing it when it comes to leading people to a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe?

    Shouldn’t we endeavor to propel people into a relationship with Jesus Christ?

    ►PROPEL, v. push, start, set in motion (PROPULSION).

    Now we’re talking!  And when it comes to ministry I simply cannot think of a more priceless opportunity than to reach out to people and families affected by disability.

    So let’s get some PROPULSION going, shall we?  Let’s tap into this vast yet largely unchurched group and let us ”propel, start, set in motion, get going , fire off, discharge, launch and send forth” this vital ministry in every church in order to  “urge, goad and impel”  a relationship with Christ to help propel eternal destinies worldwide beginning with your local church.

    In His Accessible Grace,

    Linda

  • Got Courage?

    nullSpeaking of Courage…I am having MAJOR Technical Difficulties with this Post!  But Mary never gave up so neither shall I! 🙂

    So who are You? A Cowardly Lion? Or a Fearless Mary? Basking in the afterglow of an awesome Homegoing for our beloved Mary Taylor last week, I ponder what it means to have Courage. Verily there is a plethora of verses about courage (or lack thereof).  So I selected this one out of 1 Corinthians because it provides a Got Courage? Checklist:

    1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

    So let’s apply this checklist to Mary, shall we?

    • #1. Was she always on her guard? Oh yes! Even as far as challenging Pastor David Whitmore when his hair got too long!

     

    • #2. Did she stand firm in the faith? Well if you mean faithfully attending Bartimaeus Baptist Temple for 55 years, then yes. Though little more than skin and bones in her wheelchair, she stood head and shoulders above any of us.

     

    • #3. Was she a Woman of Courage? Was she strong? Though the eyes of the world saw only a “little old lady” in a wheelchair, God saw a Giant! Verily Mary so graciously showed us how when we are weak, we are very strong (2 Cor. 12:10 NIV).

     

    • #4. Did she do everything in love? She loved her family, loved her friends, and loved her church. And now she reaps the bountiful rewards in Heaven.

     

    Well Done thou Good & Faithful Servant Mary!

    Do I dare you to take the Mary Challenge and see how I stack up?   When I do it looks something like this: Mary? Stellar. Me? Not so much.

    Ah! But the Good News is that according to Anthony DeStefano in his book “Ten Prayers That God Always Says Yes To,” your prayer “God, grant me courage!” is one He ALWAYS says Yes to. So how about you?  Pray it today. And watch God transform your Cowardly Lion into a Fearless Mary for His Glory.  Amen! 🙂

    Image Source:  http://nickshell1983.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/tnhwizardofoz0018.jpg    

  • God’s Target Market

    IMG_0089Praise God for Pastor David’s sermon on Sunday!  As we prepare for our 55th Homecoming at Bartimaeus Baptist Temple.(www.BBTemple.org) Pastor David so eloquently preached on This Is Who We Are:

    Message by Pastor David Whitmore for September 1 – This is Who We Are:  http://goo.gl/UqaaK6

    I hope you have an Opportunity to listen to this powerful 30 minute sermon.  However in our microwave world you may appreciate looking at the main points:

    So Who Is God’s Target Market?

    Being a Marketing Major myself I delight in the concept of Marketing:  focusing in on people who share similarities that may make them good candidates for what you offer.  Makes sense, right?  Whatever you are “selling” make sure that you focus on those who are most likely to be “buying.”

    Unless of course you’re talking Christianity.

    Because in Luke 14:  13-14 we are commanded to “target” those least able to repay us.

    Luke 14:13-14 NIV:  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

    Many churches when confronted with the lack of people with disabilities in their congregations may say “well of course ‘they’ are invited!”  Really?  Is your building accessible  (i.e. can they get in the front door)?  And once inside are they able to maneuver around?  How about bathrooms—is there one that they are able to actually use?

    But Wait!  There’s More!

    So if you REALLY want to minister to people and families affected by disability you will need to not only address these delicate issues—you also need to be more proactive than passively “inviting” someone to your church:  you need a way to get them there.  Many people with disabilities do not drive.  And many places lack public transportation on Sundays when most churches gather nationwide.

    So go with me just ten verses further where you will find a second command:

    Luke 14:23-24 NIV:  “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’”

    Verily we are commanded to not simply “invite” people and families affected by disability—we need to be actively, purposefully and earnestly doing whatever we need to do to in order to help compel people and families affected by disability into a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ.

    So how “compelling” is your church? Let’s talk about it!

    In His Accessible Grace,

    Linda

  • Disability Evangelism To Adults With Disabilities: So How Is The Church Doing?

    Greetings & BlBBT Homecoming 2008 Pastor David with John LRessings Faithful Followers of Mission Access!  I only have two Life Questions:  1.  What are you doing?  2.  And why are you doing it?  So today I ask this question re:  Disability Evangelism to Adults with Disabilities.  How are we as the Church doing?

    One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Proverbs 25:2:  “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to seek our a matter is the glory of kings.”  I think God really digs it when he hides a tasty morsel of wisdom and then find it when we earnestly seek it.

    So I imagine he was delighted when I came across a blog entry on Church 4 Every Child entitled “Adults with disabilities and church attendance…What does the data say?”

    Well in a word:  lousy.

    The 2010 Survey of Americans with Disabilities done by The Kessler Foundation and the National Organization on Disability commissioned by Harris Interactive looked at the impact of the ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act) 20 years later.  The study looked at a wide range of areas including “the relationship between the presence of a disability and attendance of religious services.”

    Here are two facts I find fascinating:  1.  “Adults with disabilities are significantly less likely than their peers without disabilities to attend religious services (50% v. 57% respectively), and 2.  They are also significantly more likely to have NEVER attended a religious service compared to non-religious controls.”

    What a shame!  Although not at all surprising.  When I was Church Relations Coordinator for Joni & Friends/DFW, I scoured the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex for evidence of Disability Evangelism and sadly outside of a few large and well-funded programs at several of the 50 area megachurches with more than 5000 members I concur with the research survey that little has changed in 20 years post ADA.

    OK so we know that the What, and the Why are sorely lacking, but perhaps we are not asking the right question.  Why don’t we ask about How we are doing Disability Evangelism, and how we can do it better in the future?

    All I know is this:  right after the Lord led me away from my job with Joni & Friends he immediately led me right to the front door of a church in Dallas that has been ministering to people and families affected by disability for more than 55 years!  Verily Bartimaeus Baptist Temple (www.BBTemple.org) must know something to teach ALL of us about now just What and Why but more importantly the How of Disability Evangelism that truly helps bring people and families affected by disability into a Relationship with Jesus Christ.

    Isn’t that what we are commanded to do?

    In His Accessible Grace,

    Linda