Preaching Disability
A Resource for Pastors
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
Learn how to preach on disability—and why doing so can be transformative for everyone. Disability appears throughout Scripture, yet most pastors lack the tools to preach about it with confidence and sensitivity. In Preaching Disability: A Resource for Pastors, Bill Gaventa fills this critical gap with wisdom gleaned from decades working at the intersection of faith and disability. This groundbreaking guide helps clergy move beyond harmful stereotypes—disability as punishment for sin, disability as inspiration—toward preaching that honors the full humanity and spiritual depth of people with disabilities. Gaventa reveals how listening to their stories unlocks biblical themes that are relevant to everyone. Whether you’re preparing a sermon on a passage involving disability, leading an inclusive ministry, or simply wondering how to address this aspect of human experience authentically, this resource offers: Practical guidance for preaching biblically and sensitively about disability Fresh insights into disability’s ubiquitous presence in Scripture An introduction to the broader literature on theology and disability Perfect for pastors, seminary students, and church leaders, Preaching Disability is the first book focused on disability in the context of pulpit ministry. Accessible, engaging, and substantial enough to serve as an ongoing reference, it prepares ministers to welcome people with disabilities fully—and in so doing, to illuminate spiritual truths for the entire congregation.
Endorsements (6)
“Preaching Disability is a deeply needed and beautifully judged book. Bill Gaventa writes with the wisdom of long experience, the tenderness of a pastor, and the insight of someone who has listened carefully to the lives of disabled people and their families. This is not simply a book about disability; it is a book about the church becoming more truthful, more hospitable, and more fully itself. Pastors, preachers, and congregations will find here a rich and trustworthy guide to language, Scripture, worship, and belonging. A timely and important resource.”
“Bill Gaventa’s words are a welcome gift for pastors everywhere. He writes with clarity and conviction but no condemnation. This guide is essential reading for every church leader who wants to serve their whole congregation well—including members of the congregation affected by disability.”
“Rich with stories and wisdom, Preaching Disability equips pastors to preach in ways that help people with disabilities belong fully in the life of the church. This much-needed book can help congregations grow in hospitality and mutuality in the shared life of the body of Christ.”
“Preaching Disability is an inspired exploration of lived experience and sound theology that offers practical guidance for faith leaders shepherding people with disabilities. Bill Gaventa’s anecdotal illustrations offer a window into the often-puzzling disability culture and provide language that will help ministers in any context develop a sensitive and curious approach to caring for people with disabilities. This book serves to shorten the distance between the preacher in the pulpit and the disabled person in the pew.”
“This book fills a critical gap in pastoral resources. Drawing from extensive experience as a chaplain and advocate, Bill Gaventa shows how addressing disability in preaching isn’t about adding a ‘special topic’—it’s about preaching the gospel more fully. Gaventa’s exploration of disability throughout Scripture is revelatory, illuminating how many biblical heroes were people with disabilities whom God used powerfully. Gaventa shows pastors how to preach in ways that don’t wound the very people Jesus consistently welcomed. He navigates complex terrain, such as healing stories in Scripture, with remarkable sensitivity, helping pastors avoid harmful theological traps while preaching these passages faithfully. For those working in disability ministry, this provides language for conversations we’ve been trying to have with church leaders for years. For pastors, it provides a road map for faithful and inclusive preaching that enriches the entire congregation’s understanding of God’s expansive love. Essential reading for anyone serious about preaching to the whole people of God.”
“This book is a remarkable resource for preachers. Blending pastoral, biblical, hermeneutical, and liturgical sensitivities, Gaventa has given the homiletical world a true gift for preaching the fullness of God’s love.”
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