Jesus and Disability: A Guide to Creating an Inclusive Church

by Chris H. Hulshof

Overview

Drawing from his personal, pastoral, and academic interests, Chris Hulshof offers biblical wisdom and comfort to those seeking to understand the topic of disability in the church. He explores how Jesus’s involvement with the disabled can be instrumental in laying a foundation for disability-inclusive church leadership and practice. Ultimately, this book provides a blueprint for how pastors and congregations can become disability friendly in the church and in the broader community. 

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781535998901
Publisher:	B&H Publishing Group
Publication date:	07/01/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Chris Hulshof (EdD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate professor for Liberty University’s School of Divinity.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Laying the Groundwork for Disability-Inclusive Leadership
Chapter 2: Jesus and the Disabled in the Synoptic Gospels
Chapter 3: Curing of a Leper Near Gennesaret
Chapter 4: Restoring of a Paralytic at Capernaum
Chapter 5: Restoring of a Man with a Withered Hand
Chapter 6: Curing of a Woman with Twelve-Year Bleeding
Chapter 7: Restoring Sight to Blind Bartimaeus
Chapter 8: Jesus, the Synoptic Gospels, and Inclusive Leadership
Chapter 9: Jesus and the Disabled in John’s Gospel
Chapter 10: Restoring the Sight of a Man Born Blind
Chapter 11: Jesus, John’s Gospel, and Inclusive Leadership
Chapter 12: Disability-Inclusive Models of Church Ministry

Editorial Reviews

As a mom currently raising a child with disabilities, I found this book a comfort. As a pastor’s wife, seeking to serve people of all kinds and abilities, I found this book a guide. As a follower of Jesus, looking at how Christ loved, helped, and healed people with disabilities, I found this book a gospel-rich resource. And finally, as a former student of Dr. Hulshof, having been a teenage new believer/fly on the wall back when he was grading my Bible verse tests and walking through the pain and uncertainty of his son’s diagnosis, I found this book a joy. Dr. Hulshof’s book, Jesus and Disability, will be a blessing for parents and church leaders seeking to love and make disciples as Jesus did.”
—Scarlet Hiltibidal, speaker, and author of Afraid of All the Things: Tornadoes, Cancer, Adoption, and Other Stuff You Need the Gospel For
 
“What Chris Hulshof has accomplished in Jesus and Disability is head-turning! Engaging a subject that is generally treated topically, he rightfully places our response to disability where it truly belongs—in the character of Christ. The early chapters laid a methodical foundation for the outstanding ‘wait for it’ practical applications at the end of the book. Jesus and Disability was solidly biblical, well researched, and incredibly useful. I will be recommending this book for years to come.”
—Stephanie O. Hubach, research fellow in disability ministries, Covenant Theological Seminary, and author of Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability
 
“There are many guides on how to make churches more inclusive for people with disabilities, but not all of them point us to our ultimate example—Jesus. In Jesus and Disability, Chris shows us how Jesus interacted with the disabled throughout the Gospels. We see his care, concern, and compassion, and we also see his inclusion and empowerment. After their encounters with Christ, people with disabilities were welcomed into their faith communities and given a mission to fulfill. The same is true today—our churches can follow his example by welcoming those who are often ostracized and empower them to use their gifts to build up the church. I’m so thankful for Chris’s work in this area and the example he provides for us through his research and experience.” 
—Sandra Peoples, special-needs ministry consultant, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, and author of Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family
 

From the Publisher