The Crutch and the Scepter: Mephibosheth and David

TitleThe Crutch and the Scepter: Mephibosheth and David
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsSteele, RB
Journal TitleJournal of Religion, Disability & Health
Volume14
Pages71–79
ISSN1522-8967
Abstract

This sermon was preached at the conclusion of a 2-day conference on making a place in faith communities for people with disabilities. The first part is an exposition of the story of Mephibosheth, an Israelite prince whose legs were injured in a childhood mishap, rendering him lame for life. Three applications of this story for contemporary faith communities are then made: 1) Faithful and effective ministry to and with persons with disabilities recognizes that them as full members of the faith community, not as charity projects. Persons with disabilities should be treated like other church members—with dignity, respect, easy naturalness, and a minimum of fuss. 2) Faithful and effective ministry to persons with disabilities includes ministry to their caregivers, both family members and professions. 3). Faithful and effective ministry to persons with disabilities avoids the temptation of speaking for or about them, and helps them speak for themselves.

URLhttp://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15228960903517349
DOI10.1080/15228960903517349

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