Beyond Inclusion: Disability, Belonging, and the Body of Christ

This three-hour introductory workshop in Disability Theology invites participants to engage the lived realities of disability alongside their theological implications for Christian life, ministry, and community. Moving beyond abstract definitions, the workshop examines how assumptions about the body, normalcy, and human worth have shaped both society and the Church. Participants will explore how disability challenges hyper-normative and hyper-cognitive models of discipleship and opens richer, more faithful understandings of embodiment, care, and belonging. The session integrates historical analysis, theological reflection, and practical application, equipping participants to cultivate communities marked by hospitality, friendship, and mutuality.

Workshop Structure 

• Introduction to Disability Theology as a field.
• Naming common assumptions about disability, normalcy, and spiritual capacity.
• Framing questions: What does it mean to be human? Who is included in our vision of discipleship?

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe key models of disability and their theological implications.
• Understand how historical perspectives on disability shape current attitudes and practices.
• Articulate the significance of hospitality, friendship, and care in Christian community.
• Critically reflect on assumptions about normalcy, embodiment, and independence.
• Apply practical strategies for fostering inclusive and theologically grounded communities.

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