Dr Gordon Temple is CEO of Torch Trust. an international ministry serving people with sight loss. www.torchtrust.org Lin Ball is a freelance writer and editor who has worked with a number of Christian charities and publishers and recently served as chair of the Association of Christian Writers.

If we are all made in the image of God, 'fearfully and wonderfully made' as the psalmist puts it, what does that mean if we can't see, or can't walk; if we can't hear, or can't speak? How can we be said to share in God's unconditional love if we are humiliated by epileptic seizures? If we can't remember our own name because of the ravages of dementia? Or if the only response of which we are capable is a smile? How can we truly be a valued and valuable part of the Body of Christ here on earth - the Church? This rich resource book for church leaders, congregations and small groups challenges us to get to grips with what the Bible says about disability - and what the Church could do in response. Themes of understanding, inclusion and interdependency are explored through discussion, prayer, worship, hands-on activities and listening to the authentic voices of disabled people.

Gordon Temple; Lin Ball

Cover page

Title page

Imprint

Foreword

Acknowledgements: Enabling Church

Introduction

Author's introduction: Living interdependently

How to get the best out of this resource

Quoted on the Disability Wall

1. Knowing we're made in his image

2. Fearfully and wonderfully made

3. Standing up for justice

4. Experiencing God in togetherness

5. Entering the Gate called Beautiful

6. Living with diversity

7. Going to the great banquet

Holding an accessibility audit

Churches for All

Ball, Lin

For churches, home groups and individuals who believe that disabled people should be welcomed, valued and enabled to make a contribution to the work of God in their community. It provides a flexible menu of study material, stories, personal views and a mix of discussion, worship and prayer activities suited for a wide range of churches.

The Good Book Stall

Subtitled A Bible Based Resource Towards the Full Inclusion of Disabled People this book is a great addition to books that can be used by church and groups to look at how we can best serve the whole population in an open, welcoming and inclusive way. This is not an arduous book, it does not inflict guilt or blame, nor does it even tell you what you should be doing, instead this is a genuine study that enables groups to think things through and reach their own conclusions of how things can change and what they can do.  
What is so good is that it doesn't define what disability is (well ok at the back you will find a number of definitions from various places but these are for reference not determination), it doesn't start and end with physical disability, instead it addresses mental health issues, learning difficulties and physical difficulties all with the same even handed and open approach.  
The design of the book, the large and bold typeface used throughout is indicative of the approach the book takes, it starts by making itself accessible to the widest group possible but without any fanfare, just rather as the natural course of things, an excellent introduction to the concept of inclusion.  
 One thing though that I did find let the book down was the 'disability wall' sections in the book, Why? not because of their content as these are excellent quotes, mostly from those who are disabled and thus their content is very important, but rather because of their being printed on a grey background that distorts the otherwise clear typeface and this made them a little hard to read with ease for my eyes. This is a shame in an otherwise excellent and easily accessible book on all levels.  
I really think this is a book that churches and groups should give serious consideration to using soon.

Enabling Church

A Bible Based Resource Towards the Full Inclusion of Disabled People

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