Cut outs, colouring and happy clappy songs

Check out the ‘Curriculum’ blog posting at www.disabledchristianity.blogspot.com . I have occasionally been in email dialog with Dr. McNair. This posting is continuation of that process. I thought you might be interested in some that interchange between us.

Most of material that I’ve have seen developed for those with exceptional needs, though highly well intentioned, usually falls back to cuts outs and colouring, happy clappy ( a new category of music I just learned from Brian Doerksen!) songs, and segregated classes. Again, as you pointed out Dr. McNair, we don’t want to be unduly harsh on those who are trying to provide something. We do recognize this is a struggle for the local church as what to do. However, the classes and materials are unintentionally targeted toward the feeling that “I” the teacher, have accomplished something rather than in the meanings and needs of the person with an exceptional need – and obviously we want to change that approach. I still think that primarily the origin of this well meaning approach is in our faulty unwittingly intellectually based ‘Imago Dei’ theologies. It is also found in our ideas that those with exceptional needs are; perpetual children, illness or disease to avoided and kept apart, and not able to contribute --to our expectation etc etc. Lately, I’ve be thinking through the difference between ‘healing’ and ‘cure’ – we have (some more than others) trouble theologically with those among us that cannot or are seemly not ‘cured’ and therefore we think that healing is not possible. I believe people can always be healed, but may not be cured (cured being defined as the complete restoration of an impairment to ‘normal’ functioning). Healing occurs when those that cannot or will not be ‘cured’ are restored i. their relationship with God, and ii. participation and acceptance in the worshiping community. I see this in the encounter of Jesus with the paralytic (see June 12 to the 25/2007 Spiritual Edge postings). It would seem Jesus saw the man healed when his relationship with God (and community) was restored, not when he was physically cured.

In my own work with the churches, I’ve been trying to communicate that what those with exceptional needs don’t need or are looking for another curriculum or segregated class or even another ministry “too” 'them,but meaningful opportunities to participate and engage ‘with’ and as 'us' the Worshiping Community. There can be, should be, something mystical when God’s people are together and we live out Prov 31:8-9, Matt 12:18-21 and Luke 4:18-19. We become communities of justice and healing for all in the midst – whether we intellectually apprehend it or not. Maybe some of the best stuff of God is felt, rather than understood (quite a statement if you know me). Sunday School curriculum has benefits (and needs to be) of Biblical and theological training, but most of our Biblical and theological learning comes from, belonging, being known, knowing, being valued, being encouraged, engaging with, being engaged – by God and each other. Our theology is also learned and shaped by our experience – not just cognitive. I would suggest that biblical interpretation and application is possible for Eddie (see Jeff McNair blog), it just maybe a different hermeneutic – who knows maybe even more Biblical.

Anyway I was just thinking,

Neil