Preaching Disability

Join us via ZOOM for a very important workshop:  
“Preaching on Disability from the Pulpit”

Now on Demand

Sensitive preaching on Disability is a necessary pastoral competency.  Don’t go to the pulpit unprepared!  Together we’ll discuss:

The power of vulnerability in preaching.

The centrality of self-examination.

Understanding the unconscious mechanisms of splitting and projecting, and how they affect people with a disability.

The role and consequences of theodicy (literally, “the justice of God”) in the life of the Church.

Cultivating a “theology of weakeness”  (Pauline reflections of the Body as interdependent & dependent on God)

Counteracting the modern “American” myth – bootstraps & all.

 


Intended Audience: Church Leaders

About the instructor:


Melissa Hofstetter, PhD, MDiv is an ordained Mennonite minister, having served as district elder in the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist (CA, PSY25696; AZ #4125).  She is the founder of Shepherd Heart.  Dr. Hofstetter has been a seminary instructor in Pastoral Counseling & Congregational Health, and served as adjunct professor in the doctoral and undergraduate psychology departments at Azusa Pacific University, teaching courses in Neuroscience, Adult Development, Family Systems, Cognition, General Psychology, Personality.

Disclaimer:

This seminar is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute in any way for consultation with an attorney.  Dr. Hofstetter is not a lawyer and does not give legal advice of any kind.  This seminar is *not* a psychological service.  Appropriate referrals to lawyers or clinicians may be offered.  You are expected to keep the identities of parishioners and others confidential.  Do not share their identifying information in the course of this seminar.  Please note that, as a clergy person residing in California, Dr. Hofstetter is a mandated reporter of suspected abuse and neglect of children, dependent adults, and elders.

Spread the Word!

Care, Consultation, & Continuing Education for Ministry Leaders