Flourishing Together: Faith, Disability, and Belonging

What does it mean for people with and without disabilities to flourish together in faith and life? This question guides so much of our work at the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing. Our goal is to help schools, workplaces, and congregations become places of true belonging. For us, this means more than being present or accessing services. It involves building friendships, sharing gifts, growing in faith, and having meaningful roles. We pursue belonging together because we need each other.

Faith communities are a major focus of our Center. We study how congregations can better embrace people with disabilities and their families. We listen to the stories of people with disabilities, their families, and their faith leaders. Then we turn what we learn into practical guidance for families and congregations.

Let me share five lessons emerging from our ongoing research.

Faith matters deeply.

Faith matters to many people with disabilities and their families. This is easy to see in Tennessee. Congregations are part of so many towns and neighborhoods. In a recent study, almost 8 in 10 parents said it was very important for their child with a disability to be part of a faith community. Families often talk about the support, meaning, hope, and friendship they find through their congregation. Faith should not be left out when we talk about a good life.

Faith communities are noticing.

We are encouraged by what we are seeing across the country. Many congregations are taking a new look at old practices. They are reimagining how they gather, worship, teach, and offer support. Some are creating quieter spaces and adopting multisensory practices. Others are equipping volunteers and building care around the whole family. They are inviting people with disabilities to serve and lead. They are trying new ideas, listening, learning, and trying again. In our recent national survey of pastors in 44 states, every leader said that people with disabilities were already part of the congregation. Every congregation reported at least one small step toward greater access. The movement is still slow and uneven, but more congregations want to widen their welcome.

Painful barriers still remain.

Unfortunately, a wider welcome does not always lead to full participation. People with disabilities and their families continue to encounter barriers of awareness, attitude, access, and ableism. They feel excluded and judged. They feel overlooked or left without needed support. In one of our recent studies, nearly half of parents said they had left a congregation because their child was not accepted or supported. Such hurt can run deep in a place meant for love. Listening to their faith stories is an important step toward naming needed change.

Faith leaders need practical help.

Most faith leaders are not opposed to including people with developmental disabilities. They just feel unsure or stretched thin. In our national survey of pastors, the top barriers were too few volunteers and too little staff time. Many did not know where to find training and guidance. Leaders need more than just good intentions. They also need clear ideas, trusted resources, and people who can help. Smaller congregations need options that do not require a large budget or special program.

The goal is mutual belonging.

Access means a person can enter. Inclusion means a person can take part. Belonging means you are missed. Our belonging framework names ten signs of deeper ties within our congregations. People are present, invited, welcomed, known, accepted, supported, heard, befriended, needed, and loved. It is a picture of a faithful community where everyone gives, receives, and grows together. And it encourages faith leaders to ask important questions: Who is missing? Who has not been invited? Whose gifts are hidden? Where do we go next?

We are launching several projects around these lessons. Our Whole Body Project is a national storytelling effort focused on Christian congregations. It will share honest and hopeful stories of people with and without disabilities flourishing together. A new online Resource Hub will pair those stories with free tools and short learning guides. It will also offer resources and ideas for accessible ministry. We are launching national studies of faith leaders and families. We hope to learn with people about what helps belonging take root in faith communities.

We all still have much to learn. But we are encouraged that faith communities are asking better questions and taking meaningful steps forward. Each step can turn isolation into connection. Each change can lead to mutual belonging.

To learn more about our work, visit http://disability.research.baylor.edu. You can download free resources and sign up for our monthly Flourishing Together newsletter. You can also follow the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing on social media.

About the Author

Erik W. Carter, Ph.D., is the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities and Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing. His research focuses on belonging and full participation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.