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

[RJ Sandefur]

AmyIt depends upon the church. I think we as blind pastors, have to stick to 
our convictions. If you know God is calling you into the ministry, just do 
it. Yes you may not be able to work with small children, but you can still 
lead a small bible study. I'm preaching at a prison of youth offenders. Who 
knows that can lead to something bigger. Amy, that's why I keep stressing 
to you their is something you can do for God. Yes I get discorraged at 
times. You have been something by God that he wants you do just don't give 
up. RJ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Amy Ragain" <belovedconsecrated2god at gmail.com>
To: "Faith-talk,for the discussion of faith and religion" 
<faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2013 9:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] What do you want sighted pastors and churchmembers 
to know?


>I first want to say that churches need to know that we can and should be 
>allowed to work in any area of the ministry that the church provides. for 
>example, I did an inturnship at a church where I wasnt allowed to do 
>anything but sit and listen to the kids and make sure they werent 
>talking...now this job was very hard because the director always played 
>music and other audio really loud so I couldnt really hear anything over 
>it...the assumption was that because I couldnt see my hearing must be 
>better than everybody elses...
> also, I wasnt given access to the kids church ministry resource/prop 
> closit so when I did get to do a kids message I had to provide all my own 
> props because the lady in charge said I wouldnt be able to navigate around 
> in the closit and/or find anything...
> I have friends who were told by churches that they couldnt go on missions 
> trips because the church couldnt pay for an assistant to go with them on 
> the trip...
>
> I dont know if there is a resource exactly like what you are wanting to 
> create but there are some good places that provide resources to the blind 
> like the Assimbolies of God library for the blind...one of the things that 
> they can provide is the teachers additions of the sunday school lessons 
> for those who want to teach...
> also, the lutheran braille workers...I think thats what its called...I 
> dont know exactly what all they do but I got my bible from them and a 
> calendar...
>
> not sure if this answered your questions or not...but hope it helps in 
> some way anyway...
>
>
> On Jul 13, 2013, at 4:33 PM, Greg Aikens 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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>
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