Announcing...the Inclusion Fusion websummit! (and it's free!)

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Alternate title: Why I've been MIA lately

I love ministry conferences. I love the opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about serving God and his church in humility and truth, and I love the chance to learn from others. I don't love, though, having to figure out the logistics and travel and accommodations and cost and babysitters required for me to attend a conference.

That's why I'm so excited to share with you the upcoming Inclusion Fusion websummit, organized by Key Ministry and PajamaConference.com. I have had the privilege and honor of serving on the program team, so I can tell you first-hand what a unique and edifying event this will be.

And what makes it so exciting, apart from the speakers who I'll share below? Well,
  • it's free,
  • it's online so you can participate from any location with an internet connection,
  • each session will be available 24/7 during the three days of Inclusion Fusion (which are November 3, 4, and 5), so you can plan your watching time around your schedule (or, if you want to join together with your entire team to watch a session, you can plan around the schedule of your group),
  • it includes sessions designed specifically for parents and others specifically for ministry leaders (though many will apply to both groups),
  • and did I mention that it's free?
For more on the logistics of the conference, see my friend Steve's post here or register (for free!) here.

Our keynote address is from Chuck Swindoll, who has been a great friend and advocate of disability ministry for years and whose church has a thriving special needs ministry. The latest line-up of other speakers, as of October 8th is below...and I think you might know the second person listed (me!):
  • Jeremy Collins: Using Social Media in Special Needs Ministry
  • Shannon Dingle: Common Misperceptions About Disability Ministry and Disability, the Sanctity of Life and the Church
  • Barb Dittrich: Bathing in the Healing of Forgiveness
  • Amy Dolan: Customizing Your Curriculum
  • Ryan Edlind: Church and Mental Health…Bridging the Gap From a Leadership Perspective
  • Joe and Cindi Ferrini: The Unexpected Journey of Relationships-When Special Needs Change Our Course!
  • David Glover: The P.U.R.E. Ministry Project: What, When, Why and Where?
  • Steve Grcevich: Kids With “Issues”…The Mission Field Next Door
  • Rebecca Hamilton (with Katie Wetherbee): Got the Keys? Starting Your Ministry 
  • Harmony Hensley: Inclusive Ministry Environments
  • Jim Hukill: Renovate: Transforming a Disability Movement
  • Connie Hutchinson: The Road to Independence
  • Marie Kuch: To Be Announced
  • Rhonda Martin: Nurturing Spiritual Growth in Kids With Anxiety
  • Jeff McNair: Integration as a Core Value
  • Amanda Mooney: We know we should…but HOW?
  • Libby Peterson: Relational Respite-A “Go To Them” Theme
  • Jolene Philo: Ten Ways Churches Can Support Parents of Kids With Special Needs
  • Colleen Swindoll-Thompson: To Be Announced
  • Bob West: Where is My Heart?
  • Katie Wetherbee: How To Advocate For Your Child At Church
  • Laura Lee Wright: For Kingdom’s Sake
I do want to give you the heads up that this group includes a variety of different Christian denominations and traditions (including Southern Baptist, Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian, to name a few) and a variety of roles (with one or more of each of the following: church staff members, pastors, volunteers, parents, ministry consultants, non-profit leaders, authors, and child psychologists). I think you'll enjoy the benefit of such an approach, but it also means that you might not agree on all matters with each speaker. I know I won't, but I'm okay with that. Also, you can watch as many or as few sessions as you want, so you're not locked in to all the sessions if you're not interested in or in agreement with one or more of the sessions.

Finally, I would love your prayers for my two sessions, Disability, the Sanctity of Life, and the Church and Common Misconceptions about Special Needs Ministry. I am putting the final touches on them, while planning for knee surgery, scheduling a follow-up liver ultrasound to check on an issue I had six months ago, battling some insomnia issues, starting plans for our December 10 respite and our spring Joy Prom, and being a stay-at-home momma to my four-year-old artist and two-year-old climber (love my job caring for them!). Suffice it to say, I am tired, but God is good.

Even once the recordings for the sessions are fully edited and submitted, I would love for you to keep praying for the event and for the individuals who will join us for it (and hopefully you'll be among those!).