Minimizing the Gap between Church and Disability in Churches of Christ

Authors

• Paris FreemanFollow

Abstract

Church members with intellectual and developmental disabilities often experience disconnection from their churches. This qualitative study examined this disconnect in three suburban Church of Christ congregations within the North Texas area. Using an ethnographic approach, data was collected through interviews with ministry leaders, participatory observation, and a literature review. The analysis of the data, in conjunction with family systems theory, was utilized to construct a model for disability ministry which validates personhood and promotes awareness of self and others. The impact of the church growth movement on disability was also examined, but no definitive correlation could be determined. Further research is required to examine the effectiveness of this model, and how barriers to inclusion may be affected based on denomination, location, and congregation size.

Author Bio

Paris Freeman is a Fellow for Lifeline Chaplaincy, a non-profit hospital ministry and education organization. Paris holds a BA in Psychology and is currently pursuing a MA in Chaplaincy and Ministry Care from Dallas Theological Seminary. His areas of interest include end-of-life care, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and grief support. Paris and his wife, Dana, live in Dallas, Texas.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Freeman, Paris (2026) "Minimizing the Gap between Church and Disability in Churches of Christ," Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry: Vol. 12: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/discernment/vol12/iss1/4