The Spirit is not Disabled: Promoting Inclusivity in The Salvation Army

Presence to Participation: The Spirit is not Disabled is a training and education program designed to engage individuals with disabilities, moving them from passive observer to active involvement in The Salvation Army. The theological and faith-based webinar series is founded on the Word of God and ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The webinars are hosted by The Salvation Army Broadview Village in Toronto, and feature an expert in the field of disability. Also joining are individuals with lived experience offering their insights on how to better involve those with mental health issues and developmental or physical disabilities in programs through The Salvation Army.

“People with developmental disabilities have as much spiritual need as anyone else and those spiritual needs need to be met,” explains Major Christine Johnston, Chaplain and Director of Spiritual and Religious Care at Broadview Village, who launched the program with a $33,000 Innovation Grant from The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda Territory.

“We want to encourage individuals to become more involved in The Salvation Army, and even though somebody may have an identified developmental disability or mental health challenge, this doesn’t limit their potential or involvement,” says Art Mathews, Executive Director of Broadview Village.

Webinar themes being discussed include Everybody Belongs/Serving Together, Five Stages of Congregations, Universal Design, Salvationist Theology and Ministry, Making Our Places of Worship Places of Peace and Compassion Fatigue. The webinars are currently running every Thursday.

“Individuals with development disabilities or mental health challenges have great skills and wonderful abilities, experiences and perspectives that need to be heard and they have tremendous talents to share,” Major Christine explains

“There is no limitation to what individuals with disabilities could be involved with, whether it be volunteering at a food bank, performing music as part of the worship team or sitting on a council or committee.”

While this Innovation Grant project originated from Broadview Village, the project team, which includes Major Shelley Kerr, has greater plans for Presence to Participation. Because it is virtual, the program’s reach can spread to Ministry Units across Ontario, across Canada and throughout the Territory. The instruction provided by Presence to Participation experts and those with lived experience are meant to be used by other Salvation Army Ministry Units to best fit the needs of local congregations.

“There are all different gifts, skills and abilities that people with developmental disabilities or mental health challenges can bring to society. We need to see that reflected in our churches just as we are seeing it reflected in other areas of our society,” Major Christine says.

“We are an an Army of belonging, where everyone has a part to play, where everyone’s gifts are recognized and where they are able to serve.”

More information can be found at https://broadviewvillage.ca.