disability and faith forum logo in blue and grey

About Keith Dow

Keith serves as Manager of Organizational and Spiritual Life with Christian Horizons. He lives just South of Ottawa, Ontario, and holds his PhD in caregiving ethics from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His book Formed Together: Mystery, Narrative, and Virtue in Christian Caregiving released March 2021 through Baylor University Press. Connect with Keith on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Practicing Faithful Presence (with David Fitch)

“People with various disabilities are those who are immensely gifted, obviously, to see things and do things that maybe I can’t see. But the bottom line is that I am able to see God’s presence at work in them… and then they’re able to engage me and a space is opened up, a very unique space. And this is the way that God has created the world, for us to be in these social spaces of transformation.”

By |2019-09-06T09:08:48-04:00September 5th, 2019|Books, Church ministries, Supporting people with IDD, Theology, Videos|

Disability and the Way of Jesus (Book Review)

Disability and the Way of Jesus is a must-read for anyone who has wrestled with questions around the way God looks to heal people and the world. In particular, for Christians who are looking for an account of healing that takes the Bible seriously but also listens closely to the lives and experiences of people who experience disability.

By |2019-08-29T10:01:00-04:00August 29th, 2019|Books, Church ministries, Supporting people with IDD, Theology|

From Longing to Belonging (Book Review)

Shelly Christensen, MA, is a leader in the growing faith community disability inclusion movement, an international speaker, and consultant to many faith congregations and organizations. She recently wrote From Longing to Belonging-A Practical Guide to Including People with Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions in Your Faith Community as a resource for faith communities. I had [...]

By |2019-02-14T13:16:41-05:00February 21st, 2019|Accessibility, Books, Church ministries, Resources, Synagogue|

Inclusive Holidays

It's that time of the year again! For some, the Christmas season is a time of joy, peace, and celebration. For others, it's a time of managing expectations, sensory overload, and hectic schedules. For most of us, it's a mix of all of the above! Today on the blog we feature some helpful resources for churches and families navigating the holidays.

By |2018-12-18T12:17:43-05:00December 20th, 2018|Accessibility, Links, Resources, Supporting people with IDD|

White Picket Fences (Available today!)

In the act of writing White Picket Fences, Amy Julia points with humility and gentleness to a kind of confession that refuses to only be part of the problem. It is possible to both acknowledge complicity and privilege and to work towards a better, more truthful, future.

By |2018-10-02T14:30:52-04:00October 2nd, 2018|Books|

Faith, Spirituality and the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Webinar

We must "help [faith communities] understand that we are focusing on participation, inclusion, and belonging as a way to empower, not pity. That we want people to develop roles that make them important and valuable to communities. So we're looking for connections, not avoidance, for support, not stigma"

Five-Minute Vacations: 5 ways to refresh your care in 5 minutes!

For many families who experience disabilities, getting away for rest and relaxation might seem like an inconceivable goal - especially if parents are hoping to take a break without the kids. At the Inclusion Fusion Live! conference in Cleveland this spring, Jonathan McGuire from Hope Anew shared 5 simple ways to take "Five-minute vacations" to help refresh your care.

By |2018-08-14T14:18:50-04:00August 16th, 2018|Links, Ministries, Parenting, Videos|

Will there be disabilities in heaven?

Earlier this week, an excellent video on "Disability in Heaven" was shared by the Center for Philosophy of Religion at the University of Notre Dame. You will find the video posted below. In it, philosopher and author Kevin Timpe wrestles through some of the questions around whether people will carry their disabilities into heaven. A range of [...]

By |2018-06-07T12:58:34-04:00June 7th, 2018|Accessibility, Resources, Theology, Videos|

Princeton Disability and Youth Ministry Conference: Reflections

Adolescence is a challenging time for many young people, and with today’s complexities – in part due to rapid technological advancement and 24/7 connectivity – it has only become an increasingly tricky season of life to navigate. Add to this the potential social stigma, barriers, and support needs that come with visible and invisible disabilities and mental health challenges, and it is no wonder that youth pastors and practitioners are hungry for relevant training and resources in this area.

By |2018-02-08T15:20:59-05:00February 8th, 2018|Audio, Books, Church ministries, Education, Events, Theology|
Go to Top