[Faith-talk] What do you want sighted pastors and church members to know?

[Linda Mentink]

Greg,

I need a little time to think about this, but one thing I'll say 
right now: pastors and those in church leadership need to be willing 
to listen to us when we express a need or desire. The worst thing 
they can do is to have a separate section for the disabled, and 
isolate us from the rest of the congregation.

I have more to say, but I'll wait and see what else comes up here.

You may want to contact Ken and Theresa Taylor. They shared at our 
meeting last year. Theresa said she was in a seminary class where 
there were pastors who didn't want blind people in their churches.

Blessings,

Linda

At 04:33 PM 7/13/2013, you wrote:
>Hi friends,
>I'm working on a project for my denomination's center for the blind 
>and am putting together some resources for pastors and church 
>members who have questions about interacting with blind people in 
>their congregations.  My goal is to debunk major myths and 
>misconceptions about blindness from a religious perspective.  I want 
>to be thorough and thought I would ask on this list for suggestions 
>people have of topics to cover.
>
>What are the biggest challenges and barriers that blind people face 
>when visiting a new church or trying to become a member of a new 
>congregation?  What challenges and barriers do blind people 
>encounter in churches even after long time attendance?
>
>What do you wish you could express to pastors and church members 
>that might change their attitudes?
>
>What would you say to a pastor who is concerned about being able to 
>reach out to the blind people who visit his or her church?
>
>I'm looking for both negative and positive experiences you have had 
>as a blind person trying to get involved in a local church.  What 
>made your experiences positive or negative?  Successful or unsuccessful?
>
>Thank you for your thoughtful responses.
>
>Blessings,
>Greg Aikens
>
>
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