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A review by phoebefaragmikhail
Of Such Is the Kingdom: A Practical Theology of Disability by Summer Kinard
5.0
I had the great opportunity to read an advance copy of this book, and it is a book we need for the church--every church--today.
Listen to this heart-rending fact: "many families with an autistic member stop going to church because there is no tangible mercy extended to them to help them attend."
No tangible mercy.
Granted, there may be good intentions, but Summer's book helps all of us understand and extend a tangible mercy to all members of the community, those with visible and those with invisible disabilities.
In the first chapter of my own book, Putting Joy into Practice, I share the story of one member of our church who has experienced tangible mercy, and is a blessing to our entire congregation. We would not be our church without him. How much more beauty and blessing would our churches experience if we were able to extend tangible mercy to all?
In Summer's words, "A person with a disability who comes to church is already living the resurrection life in foretaste spiritually, even though he still suffers weakness in body or mind."
Several years ago, when my husband's cousin with Down's Syndrome learned of his uncle's passing, he asked, "He died? He's in a coffin?" When we all soberly nodded our heads, he stood up and grabbed the candy platter, distributing a piece of candy to everyone in the room. He knew better than all of us that his uncle's repose was in the hope of the Resurrection.
Summer writes from both a strong theological grounding and a lifetime of experience with disability to share clear and practical ideas for a true welcoming of individuals and families in the church with disabilities. Everyone will benefit from this book, but I specifically learned a lot that I plan to share with my clergy husband and well as with fellow church servants and leaders.
Later this week I'll have a longer review of this book up on my blog, beingincommunity.com
Listen to this heart-rending fact: "many families with an autistic member stop going to church because there is no tangible mercy extended to them to help them attend."
No tangible mercy.
Granted, there may be good intentions, but Summer's book helps all of us understand and extend a tangible mercy to all members of the community, those with visible and those with invisible disabilities.
In the first chapter of my own book, Putting Joy into Practice, I share the story of one member of our church who has experienced tangible mercy, and is a blessing to our entire congregation. We would not be our church without him. How much more beauty and blessing would our churches experience if we were able to extend tangible mercy to all?
In Summer's words, "A person with a disability who comes to church is already living the resurrection life in foretaste spiritually, even though he still suffers weakness in body or mind."
Several years ago, when my husband's cousin with Down's Syndrome learned of his uncle's passing, he asked, "He died? He's in a coffin?" When we all soberly nodded our heads, he stood up and grabbed the candy platter, distributing a piece of candy to everyone in the room. He knew better than all of us that his uncle's repose was in the hope of the Resurrection.
Summer writes from both a strong theological grounding and a lifetime of experience with disability to share clear and practical ideas for a true welcoming of individuals and families in the church with disabilities. Everyone will benefit from this book, but I specifically learned a lot that I plan to share with my clergy husband and well as with fellow church servants and leaders.
Later this week I'll have a longer review of this book up on my blog, beingincommunity.com