In our churchwide organization’s recently released God’s Love Made Real strategic recommendations report, research from the Barna Group and Fuller Seminary suggests a path forward for the church to connect with new, young and diverse people in our communities. As the report was being compiled, it became clear that there were emerging gaps in how we understand, welcome, and include people with disabilities into a full life of participation in the church.
That awareness drove the process of creating the ELCA Disability Ministries Report, completed in partnership with Datawise Consulting and our ELCA Research and Evaluation colleagues, and shared earlier this spring. Drawing on qualitative research from ELCA congregations that are intentional about their own disability ministries, the report highlights resources and opportunities for congregations and ELCA Disability Ministries to more effectively connect with and support people with disabilities.