“WE ARE FORGOTTEN”: THE PLIGHT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITY IN YOUTH MINISTRY

  • Seyram Amenyedzi Stellenbosch University
Keywords: Disability, Persons with disability, Blind persons, Deaf persons, Persons with physical disability, Accessibility, Culture, missio Dei, Stigmatisation, Exclusion

Abstract

Why are many churches in Africa inaccessible to persons with disability? This question has informed missiological qualitative research on the accessibility for persons with disability in churches in Ghana. Swinton (2002:29) coins the phrase the “‘forgotten dimension’ of spirituality”, which depicts the way persons with disability have been neglected in the ministry of many churches. Research in Ghana has proven that accessibility for persons with disability in churches is an afterthought reflecting exclusion from youth ministry as well. This article proposes to address the issue of inclusion/exclusion from a missio Dei perspective, challenging youth ministries to take deliberate steps to include persons with disability in their praxis.

Author Biography

Seyram Amenyedzi, Stellenbosch University
Stellenebosch University:Research associate; South African Theological Seminary: Lecturer
Published
2021-05-11
Section
Articles