One Body, One Spirit - by Paul Pettit & B Jason Epps (Paperback)

About the Book

"According to the CDC, one in four people in the United States lives with a disability, yet many of our churches don't resemble this reality. Attempts to welcome those with a disability are often implemented by well-meaning but ill-informed people. The results can lead to those with disabilities feeling excluded and isolated from the family of God. One Body, One Spirit gives eyes to the able-bodied to see the challenges experienced by those with disabilities: Physical barriers to places of worship, classrooms, and small group settings leave people outside the gathered family of God. Emotional barriers, like fear and prejudice, preclude them from using their spiritual gifts. How can church communities, both on the congregational and individual level, address these issues? Paul Pettit and Jason Epps provide a roadmap by looking at a biblically informed solution. They survey disability in the Old and New Testaments, provide a vision for full integration, outline how to conduct a disability audit, and offer a five-step plan for how to change the culture of your church"--

Book Synopsis

There is a massive deficit in our churches, parishes, and fellowships; an entire category of people is missing
According to the CDC, one in four people in the United States lives with a disability, yet many of our churches don't resemble this reality. Attempts to welcome those with a disability are often implemented by well-meaning but ill-informed people. The results can lead to those with disabilities feeling excluded and isolated from the family of God.
One Body, One Spirit gives eyes to the able-bodied to see the challenges experienced by those with disabilities:

• Physical barriers to places of worship, classrooms, and small group settings leave people outside the gathered family of God.
• Emotional barriers, like fear and prejudice, preclude them from using their spiritual gifts.

How can church communities, both on the congregational and individual level, address these issues? Paul Pettit and Jason Epps provide a roadmap by looking at a biblically informed solution. They survey disability in the Old and New Testaments, provide a vision for full integration, outline how to conduct a disability audit, and offer a five-step plan for how to change the culture of your church.

Review Quotes

"One Body, One Spirit asks Christians tough questions about the social barriers that exist when it comes to befriending a person with a disability. The straightforward action plan offered for all Christians to consider is a definite resource that I will revisit often when evaluating the church's ministry to our disabled community."--Jacob Hercamp "
Pastor, St. Peter's Lutheran Church" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"One Body, One Spirit is an outstanding resource for pastors and church leaders seeking a holistic approach to ministry with the largest underserved population by the church in North America--individuals and families impacted by disability. Paul Pettit and Jason Epps blend the unique experiences of a seminary professor with a hidden disability and a community church pastor with a very visible disability in offering a model for welcoming everyone to church--from a person in a wheelchair to a young adult with autism to a family of a child with severe challenges regulating emotions and behavior. Individual Christians moved to share the love of Christ with friends and neighbors impacted by disability will also be inspired and empowered by their ideas and perspectives."--Stephen Grcevich "
President and Founder, Key Ministry" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"A flood of emotions are running through my emotional arteries because of this book. For the first time in 62 years, I am seeing something, though still darkly. I'm seeing how a place I've loved since a little boy sometimes looks to persons with disabilities. How I wish I would have seen this years ago. It's unlike anything I've ever read. And I sincerely pray that Jesus will put his hands on my eyes one more time and help me see your world more perfectly so I can be a better pastor to people with disabilities the last third of my race. Thank you, my brother."--Mike Holm "
Pastor, Calvary Chapel Tampa" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Here is a book the church has been waiting for. Jason and Paul have given us a clear, compassionate, and hopeful guide toward loving our brothers and sisters well. Pastors and Christian workers will find the Five-Step Plan to be an encouraging framework for faithful action that changes lives."--Daniel Walbert "
Lead Pastor, Greenhaven Neighborhood Church" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"I highly recommend this book and will be giving it to pastors and denominational leaders about how to welcome, engage, and involve people with disabilities in their congregations. It's co-authored by two people: one with a physical disability and another with a hidden developmental disability. They share stories from their own experiences, as well as others from people they know. The book is biblically and theologically sound, as well as providing five steps on how to move forward. May this book help multiply the number of disability-friendly congregations, as well as open the door wider for people with disabilities to enter into leadership opportunities roles. The local church is ultimately the best place for individuals affected by disability to be included from cradle to grave. I dream of one day being in a church led by a pastor with a disability."--Alfonso "Al" Feria "
Founder & CEO, JP's Ability Hope,
Father of a special needs child" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Jason and Paul do a great service to God's people by explaining what one should do regarding people with disabilities and how to genuinely care for our brothers and sisters in Christ. The steps are simple but they are a path to friendship and greater unity in the body of Christ."--Patrick Schreiner "
Associate Professor, New Testament and Biblical Theology,
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"My friends Paul Pettit and Jason Epps have done a great service for the church, for people with disabilities, and for you and me, in writing this much needed book. It offers a powerful challenge for churches to integrate those with disabilities into their local congregations. This book is not about starting a disability ministry--it is much bigger and better than that. You will love it and, as you will read in the book, "the finish is worth the start!"--Joe Allen "
Campus Pastor, Dallas Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"My good friend and colleague Paul Pettit, and Jason Epps, have done the church of Jesus Christ a great service by writing One Body, One Spirit: Disability & Community in the Church. Together they provide a biblically sound and deeply compassionate solution to the problem of churches and ministries being inaccessible to people with disabilities and special needs. Every pastor, youth leader, and ministry professional needs to read this book and implement its principles."--Mark M. Yarbrough "
President, Dallas Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"This book is a MUST READ, especially for pastors and for anyone feeling shy or inhibited when people with disabilities (PWDs) show up at your church. We often do not know how to treat them, and we certainly don't know what they need, much less know what to say to a PWD. Jason and Paul have presented a masterpiece containing the history and legal ramifications in the dealings with people with disabilities. They provide many real life stories as well as a repeatable method on how to treat PWDs. The remedy is simple, basic but fundamental. Moreover, they write it in real and practical terms because when you talk with people (with or without disabilities), you are conveying dignity and respect. PWDs are no exception. You'll love their stories and their approach."--Mark L. Hans "
Pastor of Jail and Prison Ministries,
Northwest Community Church" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)