Beyond welcome : what people with intellectual disabilities have to teach the church

Abstract

“Beyond Welcome” is a Grounded Theory study that examines what people with intellectual disabilities have to teach the church. People with intellectual disabilities and those who have respectful and trusting relationships with them were interviewed. These research partners have all lived in L’Arche communities as core members or assistants and were involved in the leadership of L’Arche community prayer. They have also been involved in their own church congregation. Through the wisdom of these eleven research partners, four main themes emerged. The first is that people with intellectual disabilities are particularly able to model a deeply rooted spirituality. The second is that they call us to authentic belonging. This includes the wisdom that the church must let go of formality and the striving for perfection and instead focus on helping people experience that they belong and are the beloved of God. The third theme was that worship must be for and by everyone. Worship needs to include all voices in leadership roles. It also needs to engage all the senses by moving beyond just words. Finally, their wisdom revealed how the church can be transformed by creating time and space for the richness of the gifts of all people. Instead of trying to fit people into precut holes, worship can be broken open to the Spirit by embracing the diverse; and sometimes non-traditional; ministries of all people. The Church is the body of Christ and we are all part of this body that is called to do the work of Christ in the world. This can only be accomplished if people with intellectual disabilities are fully included in the Church.