Create a church where people with disabilities truly belong
The Luke14 training modules will help you develop the skills to ensure people with disabilities can participate fully in the life of your church. The training modules were co-created with people with disabilities and are co-hosted by Dr Louise Gosbell and Mariska Meldrum.
Louise and Mariska are Christians who have lived experience of disabilities and are passionate about helping others understand how we can better include people with disabilities in our churches and communities.
What you can expect
Training Session 1: Disability Inclusion - An Overview for Churches (21 min)
As Christians, God calls us to seek out people with disabilities and welcome them into our communities. However, people with disabilities in our church communities often find themselves on the margins and may even stop attending because of barriers that make it harder for them to participate. This session provides an overview of the different types of disabilities and neurodivergence and practical steps you can take. Stevie Wills has cerebral palsy and she shares her spiritual journey, God’s perspective of her worth, and the importance of disability inclusion in churches.
Training Session 2: Disability Inclusion - Children and Youth Ministries (21 min)
Statistics show that almost 10% of Australian children and 8% of teenagers have some form of disability, and 1 out of every 70 children in Australia is diagnosed with autism. It’s likely you have children or youth in your church who have disabilities, autism, ADHD or other neurodivergences. This training session will give you practical ways to support families and enable all children and youth to participate in your church and its programs.
Training Session 3: Disability Inclusion – Mental Health (26 min)
When someone becomes unwell with cancer, or has an accident, churches can be a great support. However, when someone becomes unwell with a mental health condition like depression, psychosis, anxiety or an eating disorder, they often don’t receive the same level of support. This training session will equip you with practical ways to respond with care and compassion to people with mental health conditions.
Training Session 4: Disability Inclusion – Neurodivergence (32 min)
This practical training session looks at the topic of neurodiversity and how we can create Christian communities that are places of welcome and belonging for neurodivergent people. While most commonly associated with autism or ADHD, neurodivergence also includes conditions like OCD, Tourette syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia. This training will give you practical ways to address the social, sensory and cognitive barriers that may be stopping neurodivergent people from feeling welcome in your church.