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 2024
July 13 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Western Theological Seminary | Livestream available
The Symposium on Disability and Ministry is an annual opportunity for pastors and ministry leaders to engage in issues related to disability and ministry.
This year’s theme is Disability and Mission, with a plenary lecture by Dr. Rochelle Sheuermann of Wheaton College, entitled Disability and God’s Mission: An Invitation to Evangelism.
Central to a theology of disability is trying to make sense of where and how disability fits within God’s mission. As we explore God’s story from this perspective, we will discover a Good News story that is good news for people of all abilities and that invites each of us to use our whole dis/abled selves to share this story to the ends of the earth.
Initatives
Nurturing Children With Disabilities Project
The Center for Disability & Ministry is happy to invite churches committed to reimagining worship with and for children with disabilities to participate in the Nurturing Children with Disabilities initiative. This 2 year program involves journeying with eight congregational teams to learn, discover, and wonder through worship in the contexts of therapeutic horsemanship and outdoor nature school.
Pastoral staff, children with disabilities, parents, volunteers, and siblings will participate in two six-week sessions to reimagine worship, liturgy, and faith expressions with and for children with disabilities.
This opportunity is open to churches located within 40 miles of the Holland, MI campus of Western Theological Seminary.
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.
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
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
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.
