Disabling the Church from the Center for Disability and Ministry cover art

Disabling the Church from the Center for Disability and Ministry

Disabling the Church from the Center for Disability and Ministry

By: Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary
Listen for free

About this listen

Disabling the Church is a podcast by the Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary. This series amplifies the voices, giftedness, and perspectives of disabled people, challenging ableist biases and reimagining the church as a space of true belonging. Through conversations with scholars, ministers, and community members, the podcast explores how the church can dismantle barriers—physical, theological, and cultural—to create a more inclusive and enriched faith community.


Learn more about the Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary at westernsem.edu/cdm

© 2025 Disabling the Church from the Center for Disability and Ministry Christianity Relationships Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Disabling Church Leadership

    Disabling Church Leadership
    Jul 3 2025

    Send us a text

    This episode listens to disabled voices in church leadership. We speak with the authors of Disabling Leadership: A Practical Theology for a Broken Boyd of Christ. Andrew T. Draper, Jody Michele, and Andrea Mae, join our host Carlos Thompson to discuss their work, writing, and worship life in a church community that values disabled leaders serving the body of Christ.

    http://ivpress.com/disabling-leadership
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Becoming the Baptized Body with Dr. Sarah Barton

    Becoming the Baptized Body with Dr. Sarah Barton
    Jun 26 2025

    Send us a text

    In this episode Dr. Sarah J. Barton (ThD, MS, OTR/Ll, BCP) joins us to share her research and insights around the practice of baptism and its implications for the church. Dr. Barton' ethnographic work centers intellectual disability and baptismal witness to better plumb the breadth and depth of the body of Christ. Dr. Barton is the author of Becoming the Baptized Body: Disability and the Practice of Christian Community.


    https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481316873/becoming-the-baptized-body/
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Rethinking Disability: The Power of Friendship and Community with Dr. Rustin Boyed

    Rethinking Disability: The Power of Friendship and Community with Dr. Rustin Boyed
    Jun 12 2025

    Send us a text

    This episode delves into the profound impact of friendship among individuals with disabilities, highlighting how authentic relationships shape self-understanding and community dynamics. Through a heartfelt dialogue, we explore the necessity of embracing our identities and navigating life’s complexities together, revealing the essence of interdependence and the role of the church in fostering meaningful connections.

    • Friendship as a necessity for individuals with disabilities
    • Shared experiences fostering understanding
    • The balance between independence and interdependence
    • Redefining what is considered “normal”
    • Theological considerations of disability and worth
    • Navigating vocational awareness and expectations
    • The significance of friendships in embodying one’s faith
    • Encouragement for the church to foster inclusive communities
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.