Larry K. Asplund

Disability and the Church

Church Leadership & Ministry

“A disability is not a sickness or even necessarily a weakness. It is just a limitation, a uniqueness, that enables a person to make a vitally important and distinctive contribution to life and to the Christian community. At the same time, to some in the church a person with a disability could appear to seem 'the weakest and least important' member of the Jesus community, but instead they are to be viewed as 'the most necessary' and to be embraced 'with the greatest care' (1 Corinthians 12:22-23). Pastor Lamar has provided a bridge into Christ's church for those who are 'disabled' or 'other-abled,' a bridge that seems essential to the nature and mission of the church. Lamar has provided that bridge with this excellent work and with his own life, pastoral leadership, and scholarship.”