In this podcast, Amy Hughes interviews Erin Rafferty, a researcher in ethnographic and practical theology. They discuss topics like moving from inclusion to justice, challenging cultural norms, and the coercive nature of a gospel-related space. They also touch on personal interests like comfort shows, books, and critiquing Christian leadership in relation to disability studies.
Focusing solely on inclusion in disability ministry fails to address power dynamics and transform the church's structures, highlighting the need to move towards justice.
Healing stories should not define the entire vision for justice and ministry with disabled people, emphasizing the importance of a faithful and loving approach that respects agency and calls for justice.
Embracing lament and amplifying disabled voices are essential in the church, challenging gatekeeping behaviors and promoting listening, learning, and valuing disabled experiences.
Deep dives
Moving Towards Justice: Challenging the Limitations of Inclusion
The podcast explores the limitations and problems with the concept of inclusion in ministry with disabled people. The episode highlights that focusing solely on inclusion as the goal of disability ministry fails to address the power dynamics and does not transform the church's structures. It emphasizes the need to move beyond inclusion towards justice, where disabled people are not only included but also given agency, power, and leadership roles within the church.
Rethinking Healing in Disability Ministry
The podcast discusses the complexities and misconceptions surrounding the topic of healing in disability ministry. It recognizes that while healing stories are significant in the Gospels, they should not define the entire vision for justice and ministry with disabled people. The episode explores the need for a faithful and loving approach that respects disabled individuals' agency, personhood, and calls for justice rather than solely focusing on physical healing.
Embracing Lament and Amplifying Disabled Voices
The podcast emphasizes the importance of embracing lament and amplifying disabled voices in the church. It introduces the concept of lament as an act of faith, demonstrating the moral courage and deep engagement it requires. The episode challenges the church to move beyond being gatekeepers and focus on being fellow faithful lamenters. It encourages the church to listen to disabled voices and learn from their experiences, rather than speaking for or over them.
Centering Disabled People in Disability Ministry
The podcast episode discusses the importance of centering disabled people in disability ministry. The speaker emphasizes that disability ministry should not only involve disabled people receiving support, but also actively participating in leadership roles. This is illustrated through the story of Jesus challenging the power dynamics in banquet politics, encouraging those with privilege to let go of control and sit at the feet of disabled individuals. The speaker highlights the need for disabled people to be central to ministry, their experiences and stories listened to and valued, in order to break the cycle of able-bodied people maintaining control and perpetuating exclusion.
The Power of Listening and Lament in Disability Ministry
The podcast explores the significance of listening and lament in disability ministry. The speaker emphasizes the importance of truly listening and engaging with disabled individuals' experiences, as well as acknowledging and lamenting the discrimination and isolation they face. By actively listening and empathizing, Christian leaders can build relationships and create collaborative spaces that allow the voices of disabled people to be heard and valued. The speaker also highlights the need for the church to move away from transactional approaches and focus on genuine connection and support, understanding that ministry starts with listening and sitting at the feet of disabled individuals.
Episode: In this episode, co-host Amy Hughes speaks with Erin Raffety about her ethnographic and practical theological research into what it looks like for congregations to move away from an “inclusion” model for people with […]
