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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.

LATEST RESOURCES FROM CDM

July 15, 2023

The Symposium on Disability and Ministry is an annual opportunity for pastors and ministry leaders to engage in issues related to disability and […]

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By Western Theological Seminary

July 1, 2023

Marginalization in Youth Ministry While issues of class, race, ethnicity, and economic marginalization are beginning to be addressed by theologies of youth ministry, […]

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By Dr. Benjamin Connor

July 9, 2022

Slides for the presentation are available at this link: https://qrco.de/bdB6cO This inaugural event for the Center for Disability and Ministry featured Drs Bethany […]

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By Western Theological Seminary

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WITH CDM

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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.

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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.

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Doctor of Ministry in Disability and Ministry

The primary focus of this program is to develop a better understanding of disability in the US, advance a contextualized practical theology of disability, and work out the implications of both for Christian ministry.

Applications for the Doctor of Ministry in Disability and Ministry are available until August 15, 2024

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Friendship House Fellowship Program

The Friendship House Fellowship Program is a six-year long ministry training program open to individuals with intellectual disabilities who are interested in exploring their ministry gifts within the supportive environment of a community of fellow Christian co-learners. It involves internships at local churches, taking classes with seminary students, and living together in a community while developing life skills. This program is continuously developing.

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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.

MORE RESOURCES FROM CDM

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

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Introducing the Nouwen Fellows

September, 2018

Flagler College building.

Don’t Disable Your Youth Ministry

July, 2023

CONTACT

have a question? contact us!

Center Leadership

Meet the Leadership of the Center for Disability and Ministry.

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Dr. Benjamin T. Conner

Professor of Practical Theology, Director of the Center for Disability and Ministry

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Dr. L.S. Carlos A. Thompson

Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry and Disability Theology and Director of the Friendship House, and Student Accessibility Coordinator

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Julie Luedtke

Grant Coordinator

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Luke Soderstrom

Grant Administrator for Nurturing Children with Disabilities

Become a Student!

Interested in becoming a student at WTS? Contact Admissions.

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Drew Brown

Director of Admissions

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Keith Reynolds

Associate Director of Recruiting and Admissions

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Krista Greendyke

Recruiting and Admissions Operations Administrator