Center For Disability and Ministry
The Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary exists to support ministry leaders of all abilities in nurturing and receiving the gifts and contributions of persons with disabilities through formational opportunities, including theological education, consultation, forums, and publications.
SYMPOSIUM ON DISABILITY AND MINISTRY 2025
Saturday, July 12 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | FREE
Western Theological Seminary | Livestream Available
The Symposium on Disability and Ministry is an annual event designed to equip pastors and ministry leaders with the knowledge and tools to effectively engage with disability-related issues in their ministry settings.
Through insightful discussions, practical workshops, and shared experiences, participants will deepen their understanding of inclusion, accessibility, and the unique needs of individuals with disabilities in faith communities.
This year’s theme is “Missing Voices in Theology,” which we will explore with top scholars and practitioners in the field.
CDM Podcast: Disabling the Church
Disabling the Church is a podcast by the Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary. This series amplifies the voices, giftedness, and perspectives of people with disabilities, challenging ableist biases and reimagining the church as a space of genuine belonging. Through conversations with scholars, ministers, and community members, the podcast explores how the church can dismantle barriers—physical, theological, and cultural—to create a more inclusive and enriched faith community.
FREE COURSE
Introduction to Disability and the Church
Sign up for Introduction to Disability and the Church, a free 8-week online course designed to help churches better understand and respond to the experiences of people with disabilities. Through thoughtful teaching, real-life stories, and practical tools, this course introduces key issues surrounding disability and belonging in faith communities.
Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or passionate volunteer, you’ll walk away with greater awareness and actionable steps to make your congregation more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all.
Let’s build churches where everybody belongs.
LATEST RESOURCES FOR DISABILITY AND MINISTRY
The Symposium on Disability and Ministry is an annual opportunity for pastors and ministry leaders to engage in issues related to disability and […]
Marginalization in Youth Ministry While issues of class, race, ethnicity, and economic marginalization are beginning to be addressed by theologies of youth ministry, […]
ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WITH CDM
The Graduate Certificate in Disability and Ministry
The GCDM program is a package of credit-bearing, transcripted courses available through WTS’s distance learning program that prepares women and men called by God to lead the church in mission by giving them the knowledge and skills that will enable them to lead congregations, ministries, schools, colleges and universities, medical practices and businesses to be inclusive of people of all abilities.
The Master of Arts in Disability and Ministry
The MA in Disability and Ministry offers specialized training for those who seek to work toward empowering all of God’s people in ministry and witness.
You can earn this degree online or by attending classes on campus.
Our courses always include the voices of people with disabilities and the teaching gifts of professors who are disabled.
The Friendship house
In 2007, the Ralph and Cheryl Schregardus Friendship House opened, offering a unique co-housing housing option. This is the first residence of its kind among seminaries across the U.S. It now hosts an intentional Christian living community committed to mutual discipleship, engaging in theological education, and vocational discernment.
PAST EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
2019 SUMMER INSTITUTE
The 2019 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability was held in Holland, Michigan, May 20-23, 2019 in partnership with Western Theological Seminary. The Institute brought together academics, theologians, practitioners, and others to explore the inclusive intersections of faith and disabilities.
PAST EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
2019 OSTERHAVEN LECTURES
The 2019 Osterhaven Lectures featured Dr. John Swinton on the topics of Raging with Compassion and What does God look like? – Whose God? Which image? and Mental Health and Ministry.
PAST EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
2016 SUMMER INSTITUTE
The 2019 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability was held in Holland, Michigan, May 20-23, 2016. The Institute brought together academics, theologians, practitioners, and others to explore the inclusive intersections of faith and disabilities.
Lecture on Academic Ableism
Dr. Jay Dolmage
Commencement Day Lecture
Dr. John Swinton
Disability as an Aspect of Diversity
Dr. Lennard Davis
Becoming Friends of Time
Disabling Mission, Enabling Witness
Introducing the Nouwen Fellows
September, 2018
Don’t Disable Your Youth Ministry
July, 2023
The Changes Church Leaders Can Make To Learn From and Support People With Disabilities
July, 2023
CONTACT
have a question? contact us!
Center Leadership
Meet the Leadership of the Center for Disability and Ministry.
Become a Student!
Interested in becoming a student at WTS? Contact Admissions.
