Missionality With A Disability Twist

Imagining A Missional Conversation That Is Looking At Disability Theology

“We are so busy doing church that discernment, the ongoing pursuit of the living God is a luxury. We are content doing things we think will please God—and these are all good things—but we miss opportunities to participate in the very life of God.”

— Mark Love in ‘1528 Churches’

I’ve been part of the missional conversation for the last 2 decades here in western Canada while leading a house church community and being part of a leadership team that trained and supported over 25 house churches across Canada. There have been so many treasured experiences both in learning and celebrating the amazing things God is doing in our communities!

Those communities, or tribes as I called them, still continue to missionally live the life of Jesus in their neighbourhoods and with their neighbours. But over the last four or so years, God has been pulling me in a different direction. Partly due to health and partly out of a desire to see the missional voice reach the disabled community in a more inclusive recognized way. Perhaps more then anything, because my people need a gospel which recognizes the glory of God being revealed through our shared cruciform life, and the power that transcends worldly ableist falsehoods and assumptions.

Our house is still in turmoil as we prepare yet again for another round of unplanned renovations. To be honest, I’m not sure I’ll be ready to start recording in The Well’s studio by September. But, I’ve still been day dreaming of next seasons ‘Well Dwellers Podcast’ and who I’d like to have on the show as guests. One particular theme I know I want to explore among others is the relationship between Missionality & Disability Theology.

After 20 years, I’ve began to notice a repetitive theme amidst missional exploration and I am wondering if we need to take the conversation deeper into more specialized focuses; particularly the disability community and our role in embodying the gospel. I’m sure the list may grow, and maybe you might leave other leads in the comments. But a few guests I’d love to have in The Well with me are:

My good friend Ty Ragan, Psy.D. — This Sunday he is actually preaching at Centennial Presbyterian Church here in Calgary on Missionality & the Disabled Community. He and his son Lee have a powerful story in inclusive community and belonging. You might recognize him as a past guest on the show as we both explored ‘Star Trek & Disabilities’ last season. We had such a blast! And as we are already in discussion for our next episode together, we are going to keep the fun going with a conversation around ‘APEST & the Star Wars Universe’!¹

My long time friend & world traveler, Alan Hirsch — It might be just a dream, but I’d flip my wheelchair with me in it if I could have Alan on the show as he really launched me into the missional universe. Al and I go way back to 2007 when I met him in a conference he was co-leading with Alan Roxbrough in Vancouver BC. Reading 'The Forgotten Ways’ and inspired to start a house church after returning to Calgary, Al really molded me into the missional thinker I am today.

Recently he’s shared some brilliant posts here on Substack including ‘The Elect & The Holy Displacement’ as well as ‘Mission Is Identity: Toward An Apostolic Spirituality Rooted In Christ’s Own Becoming’. I’d love the chance to go deeper into his thoughts in these posts and how they translate into the cruciform life and discipleship of disabled people.

“Every exile has a task. Every displacement, a purpose. The wilderness may feel like a postponement, but often it is preparation. You may not know what you’re being prepared for—but that’s not your business. Your business is to remain faithful in the meantime, to keep the lamp trimmed and your boots muddy.”

— Alan Hirsch

My friend and Prof. Dr. Mark Love — In 2012, Forge Canada² opened up an opportunity for me to pursue a Masters Degree at Rochester University. Mark was leading a program called the MRE³ and focusing on Missional Leadership. I had held of on Masters studies for several years as there was not really a missional program that existed during that time until Mark paved the way with the accessibility and innovation of enabling me to attend online. In the last several months, Mark has launched a new work in ‘The 1528 Collective’.⁴

Perhaps some of the most impacting moments in my journey with the MRE is the conversation and practices around hospitality. I would love the opportunity to sit with Mark and talk about how hospitality finds inclusivity with the disabled community and how these encounters reveal greater gospel movements for disabled people. I’m sure questions of discernment and church practices would most likely creep into our dialogue, too.

My imagination is still rolling around in these streams of thought while looking towards the next season of The Well Dwellers Podcast. And perhaps you have a few other questions, thoughts, and/or ideas I could pursue, as well, that focuses deeper into missionality & disability. But, until my house manages to push through the chaos of deconstruction and renovations, we will have to just continue to day dream together.

1. For a great break down of the Five Fold Ministry — Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, & Teacher — found in Eph. 4, visit: https://www.missionalchurchnetwork.com/blog/introduction-to-apest-the-importance-of-the-5-fold

2. Forge Canada is now collaborating with ‘The Commons Collective’. You can learn more here: https://www.thecommonscooperative.com/.

3. Masters in Religious Education

4. Learn more by visiting: https://1528collaborative.org/.