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    Are You Ready?
    Are You Ready?
    Are You Ready?
    Ebook64 pages39 minutes

    Are You Ready?

    By Mike Dobes

    ()

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    About this ebook

    An Irresistible Church is an authentic community built on the hope of Christ that compels people affected by disability to fully belong.

    Does the thought of engaging in disability ministry make you nervous? Are you unclear on how to lead others as you serve and embrace individuals affected by disability? How do you, as a ministry leader, engage your church for disability ministry and create a truly Irresistible culture? Whether you are a pastor, a ministry leader, or a volunteer, you have the potential to change the landscape of your church for the better. As you read the pages of this book, I invite you to learn the biblical perspective regarding disability, consider both the heart of a leader and the heart of the church, and begin to recognize and serve your community's practical needs. Together, you will see the development and growth of a truly Irresistible Church.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJoni and Friends
    Release dateJun 26, 2017
    ISBN9781946237101
    Are You Ready?

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      Book preview

      Are You Ready? - Mike Dobes

      To Fully Belong

      Deep within the human soul is the desire to be wanted, to be valued, to matter. There is a profound cry within each of us to fully belong. What does it feel like to fully belong? What does it truly mean? Imagine with me, for a moment, life within an authentic community where the walls of our guarded hearts can come down, where honesty and acceptance reign, and where each person is valued for his or her unique gifts and abilities. Does this seem more fantasy than reality? According to author Robert M. Hensel, there is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more. I invite you to dream with me as you read this book—to discover the heart of God anew and his plans for the Church to become the pure spotless bride as promised in the book of Revelation. Can you picture a place where people gather in the name of Christ without discrimination—a place where the abilities of individuals are celebrated without comparison. All people are welcome, all people are embraced, all people fully belong.

      All too often, our churches have closed doors, raised curbs, stairs, and other obstacles that keep people affected by disability from attending and participating. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a single mother of a child with autism to feel confined to a solitary playground on Sunday mornings instead of attending church where she wants to be. Where does the former pastor who has become a quadriplegic through a tragic accident attend church when both physical and social ramps do not exist? Consider the young girl with spina bifida who desperately wants to believe that God loves her and has a purpose for her life, yet she is unable to find a church that welcomes her with open arms. What if, when we prayerfully consider how to make our churches more attractive to the community, we realized that there are many people who desire to attend if only we would remove some obstacles?

      This is the heart of an Irresistible Church—to be a place where people are celebrated simply because they are created in the image of God and have an indispensable place in the body of Christ. This type of church is defined as an authentic community built on the hope of Christ that compels people affected by disability to fully belong. An Irresistible Church finds a way to remove obstacles and minimize hindrances, resulting in a wonderful mosaic of people with all abilities worshipping and serving God together. The boy with autism encourages others through his impressive gift of memorization; the girl with Down syndrome makes every person feel cared for as she greets them at the door. The man who uses a wheelchair teaches youth group and shares his testimony of discovering God in the midst of great suffering. The young lady born blind leads worship using the beautiful voice with which God has gifted her. Is this not the church that Christ envisioned when he gave his life as a sacrifice? Is this not a church that would exemplify the love of Christ to a world sorely in need of a Savior? Is this not a church that provides the hope and encouragement we all need to make it through the day? Let us together build this church so that all may come

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