[Faith-Talk] Serving in Church and Related Issues

Fri Nov 7 23:22:29 UTC 2025

agree PJ the thing is  what about Canada CFB which is in Canada is not near
as active as this and there is nobody  doing anything for or supporting
blind christians in Canada we are just the for gotten ones that is what it
seems sometimes.

On Fri, Nov 7, 2025 at 6:12 PM Pj Navarro via Faith-Talk <
faith-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Because why does the largest group of blind folks on the planet have to
> hide away its followers in Christ? A “not very active” group could be a
> very well known & active group if it were to be under NFB. It does indeed
> matter how small a group can be because that in itself means not enough of
> the blind community are being made aware. Congrats on helping some women
> out there but what about the majority of both men & women nationwide? 200
> in your area sounds impressive, it honestly does, but what about the 3000
> that attend national convention every July? And the other 3000 that weren’t
> able to make it? Like I said, every soul in the Coastal Bend Chapter that I
> was apart of really wanted to attend, but no one was able to. Wouldn’t
> Jesus want his name on a pamphlet at our own Christianity table under the
> umbrella of NFB? What is the Presidency so ashamed of? Why are we forced to
> send emails like at some office in the workplace? It’s saddens me.
>
> On Fri, Nov 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM Judy Jones <sonshines59 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Ah, PJ, I really like your idea of a Facebook group, for blind
> Christians,
> > but why would it have to be under the NFB umbrella, if the goal is
> bringing
> > blind Christians together?
> >
> > Last year, I started a Faith-Walk Influencers e-mail group on groups.io.
> > Not very active, but is a place where blind folks can talk about church
> and
> > world issues as they relate to the church and Bible.
> >
> > A few years ago, God was also leading me to reach out to other women in
> > some kind of ministry, and I ended up starting the Skagit Women's Bible
> > Study And Fellowship page and group  on Facebook. I wanted a place for
> > women to go to learn about Christ if they had no church home, or were
> > interested in making new Christian friends, not to get them into a
> church,
> > but to be a space outside the church where they could still get Bible and
> > fellowship.
> >
> > The group itself now is 198 women, and I've gotten to know some wonderful
> > ladies. The actual studies themselves have been quite small. We've had
> them
> > at my house or I've scheduled a conference room at the town library. Not
> > very many people post, yet it does get likes, views, etc. I have led
> Bible
> > studies, others have posted some, and I heard from a new lady a few weeks
> > ago who is housebound in another town in our county, yet wanting to start
> > one. Two other ladies have had studies as well. All of them small, but I
> > told God this belonged to him, so doesn't matter how large or how small,
> as
> > long as people are being reached.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > sent from Judy's Android braille tablet
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Pj Navarro via Faith-Talk <faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > Date: Friday, November 07, 2025 01:29 PM
> > To: "Faith-talk, for the discussion of Blindness in faith and religion" <
> > faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > CC: Pj Navarro <psnj16 at gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Faith-Talk] Serving in Church and Related Issues
> >
> > PJ here, & the only reason I'm here is because Norma Crosby introduced me
> > to you'all a couple years ago after getting mad at me. Apparently the
> main
> > reason we're all stuck in this private conversation of back & forth
> emails
> > is because we're not allowed to create a public Facebook group for
> > Christians in the NFB, which is what i tried to do. It was going to be
> > a group where hundreds & even thousands can benefit & be inspired by
> > faith-talk. Don't you'all understand how misleading it is given that my
> > own local NFB Chapter meetings are held in a church called Love & Grace?
> In
> > the beginning of last year, after being elected a board member for the
> > Coastal Bend Chapter over here in Corpus Christi, Texas, I ended up just
> > leaving the group soon after due to poor leadership & the small group's
> > lack of enthusiasm. Not to mention I was continuously excluded from the
> > messages but that's besides the point. The main point is I tried my best
> to
> > fix what's broken in the NFB Andrew, but maybe you have something I lack,
> > use your perseverance & succeed where I failed.
> > PS- I tried attending the local White Cane Day March for Independence
> last
> > month, yet upon my arrival, why was I not surprised to learn that it was
> > cancelled on the spot?
> >  PPS- The main thing our chapter has done was fundraise for everyone's
> > attendance at national convention, but even with all that money, even my
> > donations of over $350, not a single member has been able to attend for
> > years! All of you say we're not forgotten, BUT SOME OF US MOST CERTAINLY
> > HAVE BEEN!
> > For Shame,
> >
> > On Fri, Nov 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM andrew edgcumbe via Faith-Talk <
> > faith-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > > Hi all
> > > The other thing is what if those particular churches don't support
> maybe
> > > support is the wrong word though but what if  i could say it generally
> > but
> > > i am keeping it faith based for this groups sake but  most sighted
> people
> > > or pastors or people in leadership may side line blind people and how
> can
> > > we show pastors we can do stuff because lets say somebody isn't given
> > those
> > > chances to even try and try over and over again.
> > > Why and i am being kind of whatever don't we have articles describing
> > what
> > > blind people can do for or relate to faith community.
> > > Also there should be you tubes we could send to pastors yes we can
> > advocate
> > > all day all we want and not get anywhere.
> > > Sooner or later NFB if they are aware of these issues and yes churches
> or
> > > whatever it is or community  NFB needs to come up with documents
> > explaining
> > > or even you tube footage to show churches that we can do things.
> > > Why isn't more of that stuff being done  in faith based settings or for
> > > faith based settings.
> > >
> > > What if an blind individual doesn't have the tools to work through
> those
> > > things by themselves when it comes to churches.
> > > It is a running theme and we need to think of a way as a collective
> body
> > to
> > > deal with this or things won't get better If we want the better world
> for
> > > christians or blind people there needs to be more consistancy and some
> > > faith based programs that can teach blind people how to minister and
> how
> > to
> > > whatever I am not talking about jobs here i am just talking about
> > > vollunteer opportunities.
> > > What good are we doing as an orginization if we don't offer support to
> > the
> > > blind population more needs to be done then just say to them go
> advocate
> > > some may not have experience some may not be the most experienced blind
> > > person from a christian point of view.
> > > After all churches have caused allot of hurt when it comes to disabled
> > > people.  there is plenty of articles online about even just disability
> > > people in churches.
> > > Mom has looked up stuff along those lines because even my Mom has been
> > > trying to help in find out things to.
> > >
> > > Because pastors and ministry leaders in my opinion should get trained
> on
> > > disability and blindness that is how I feel.
> > >
> > > We need to come up with resources specifficaly for churches to help
> them
> > be
> > > able to serve disabled or blind people that is the opinion I have about
> > > that.
> > >
> > >
> > > On Fri, Nov 7, 2025 at 3:03 PM Chris Nusbaum via Faith-Talk <
> > > faith-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Dear Friends:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I have been following with equal parts interest and concern the
> thread
> > > > started yesterday by Andrew and PJ, which now contains contributions
> > from
> > > > several people who share widely varying perspectives on ministry, the
> > > > Church
> > > > (big C and little c), and even faith as a whole. In some ways there
> is
> > > too
> > > > much here to respond to in one message, but I'll try to distill my
> > > thoughts
> > > > into something that makes sense.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Let me first address Andrew and PJ directly. Andrew, I think you have
> > > > brought up a problem that far too many of us can relate to. In fact,
> it
> > > may
> > > > be true that there are more blind people who have struggled to be
> > > accepted
> > > > in a church than those who have easily been accepted in one. Perhaps
> > > there
> > > > are even more blind Christians without a church home than with one. I
> > > don't
> > > > know if this is also true of other faiths, but I wouldn't be
> surprised.
> > > To
> > > > my knowledge, no one has done a study on this to come up with any
> > factual
> > > > statistics, so anything I say on the subject would be my own
> > speculation.
> > > > Either way, it's a theme that comes up frequently on this list, and
> we
> > > have
> > > > had at least 2 panel discussions about it at recent meetings of the
> NFB
> > > > Blind Christians Group at our national convention. Furthermore, the
> > > > underlying purpose of the call we hosted last year with the Prayer
> and
> > > > Crisis Referral Network was to introduce our members and friends to a
> > > > ministry that is already interested in including blind people and is
> a
> > > > perfect fit for those who are having trouble finding their place in a
> > > > church. The same is true of the Phone Faith ministry previously
> > mentioned
> > > > in
> > > > this thread, which I haven't participated in yet but which I probably
> > > will
> > > > call into soon now that I've heard more about it. I say all this to
> > make
> > > > the
> > > > point, Andrew and PJ, that you are not alone-not by a long shot. In
> > > fact, I
> > > > believe the great challenge for blind people in communities of faith
> is
> > > how
> > > > to balance our desire to be included as equals with our need to
> > advocate
> > > > for
> > > > the accommodations we require. This list, as well as the faith-based
> > > groups
> > > > of the Federation, exist as a space where those challenges can be
> > brought
> > > > into the open and solutions can be developed.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Now that I've addressed the problem, let's see if I can suggest a
> > > solution
> > > > or two. Back in 2015, I wrote an article for Future Reflections
> (NFB's
> > > > magazine for parents and teachers of blind children) titled "Finding
> My
> > > > Niche." Since its main focus was after-school extracurricular
> > > activities, I
> > > > won't quote it or link to it here; you can look it up if you want to
> > read
> > > > it. But the main point of the article applies as much to church life
> as
> > > it
> > > > does to after-school life: If our goal is to be included in the wider
> > > > community, the first step is to find our niche-the part of that
> > community
> > > > that fits our talents and interests. I got involved in the NFB during
> > > > middle
> > > > school and became more involved in student leadership as I went
> through
> > > > high
> > > > school and college, partly because I had trouble finding a place in
> the
> > > > clubs sponsored by the school, even in the music-related activities
> > that
> > > > should have been where I belonged. As I progressed through college,
> > > > however,
> > > > I was blessed to find more acceptance in certain small groups there,
> > and
> > > > made friends within those groups. I was also in another state, so I
> > > wasn't
> > > > as involved in NFB. Now I'm working and have lived in 2 more states,
> > > > finally
> > > > coming back to my home state of Maryland. I have been in a variety of
> > > > churches, sometimes finding a niche, sometimes not. But I'm now back
> in
> > > NFB
> > > > again at various levels. So, apparently, the blind community is my
> > > > niche-or,
> > > > at least, one of them.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > The same, I think, is true of a church. Most churches have many
> > > ministries
> > > > and multiple small groups and Bible studies. So, I urge you to try
> one
> > > out.
> > > > If it doesn't work, try another, and another, and so on. Eventually,
> > you
> > > > will find your niche. Like any leader, the pastor does not lead a
> > church
> > > > alone, nor is it the pastor's responsibility to find a place where
> each
> > > > member belongs. The pastor can provide support and solve problems
> among
> > > > members, but ultimately one's involvement in a ministry is between
> that
> > > > person and the ministry's leadership. So, I urge you: Keep trying
> until
> > > you
> > > > find your niche, even when it gets discouraging (notice I said when,
> > not
> > > > if). If it's not at one church, it may be at another. Or it may be on
> > the
> > > > Prayer Line (shameless plug), in our Christians Group, or in some
> other
> > > > virtual ministry. Whatever it is, as you pray for discernment and
> keep
> > > > trying, I believe you will eventually find it.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Finally, I want to try to lovingly and prayerfully address the
> > > expressions
> > > > of depression expressed in this thread. First, as a brother in Christ
> > and
> > > > as
> > > > a fellow member of our blind community, I'm incredibly sorry to hear
> > that
> > > > you are going through this, and my prayers are with you. I also note
> > that
> > > > this depression has been solely attributed to the struggles with
> > church,
> > > as
> > > > if your challenges in gaining acceptance in a faith community defines
> > > your
> > > > life. If you really feel that you are a "failure," that God has
> > > "forgotten"
> > > > you, I wonder if that depression really goes deeper than that. I'll
> > just
> > > > leave that there for you to think and pray on. Let me also commend to
> > you
> > > > these lyrics from an inspiring contemporary Christian song:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "The truth is I am my Father's child.
> > > >
> > > > I make Him proud and I make Him smile.
> > > >
> > > > I was made in the image of a perfect King,
> > > >
> > > > He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing.
> > > >
> > > > The truth is I am truly loved by a God who's good when I'm not good
> > > enough.
> > > >
> > > > I don't belong to the lies, I belong to You.
> > > >
> > > > And that's the truth." -Megan Woods
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I have probably gone on too long already, but all of this has been
> > > weighing
> > > > heavily on my heart, and I'm grateful for this platform which allows
> me
> > > to
> > > > share it. Thank you all for sharing your hearts with us.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > With prayers that the "peace that passes all understanding" will
> remain
> > > > with
> > > > each of us,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Chris
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Christopher A. Nusbaum
> > > >
> > > > Assistive Technology Trainer for Blind/Low-vision Students and Adults
> > > >
> > > > Board Member, Assistive Technology Trainers Division, National
> > Federation
> > > > of
> > > > the Blind
> > > >
> > > > Cell: (443) 547-2409
> > > >
> > > > Work: (443) 487-6262
> > > >
> > > > Personal email:  <mailto:cnusbaumnfb at gmail.com>
> cnusbaumnfb at gmail.com
> > > >
> > > > Work email: canaccesssolutions at gmail.com
> > > > <mailto:canaccesssolutions at gmail.com>  or cnusbaum at ais-llc.com
> > > >
> > > >  <https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-nusbaum-274384136> LinkedIn
> > > >
> > > > Schedule a meeting with me <https://fantastical.app/cnusbaum/cas>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to
> help
> > > you
> > > > and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future."
> -Jeremiah
> > > > 29:11
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
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> > > >
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