I'm actively involved in ministry at my church. However, in the last few months, I'm starting to notice a serious problem. As mentioned in a previous post, while I still walk fairly well, I'm having a hard time standing still. My legs start to collapse.
The traditional approach is to force people out of ministry when they can't stand for extended periods. (Please note, this church has almost a 0% disability rate, so they're used to elderly and frail, not young and disabled). I'm already having comments made that it might be "too much" for me.
My MS is a fairly "open" secret at the church. I don't make a big deal out of it, but pretty much everyone is aware. Because of that, I'm wondering if it might be worth challenging the status quo. Some of the ministries are a challenge if you can't stand - but others (reading) really shouldn't require anything complicated to change.
But how do I even begin this conversation? The church itself is ADA accessible (although the altar area is not). Not a workplace, so those accommodation rules don't apply.
The traditional approach is to force people out of ministry when they can't stand for extended periods. (Please note, this church has almost a 0% disability rate, so they're used to elderly and frail, not young and disabled). I'm already having comments made that it might be "too much" for me.
My MS is a fairly "open" secret at the church. I don't make a big deal out of it, but pretty much everyone is aware. Because of that, I'm wondering if it might be worth challenging the status quo. Some of the ministries are a challenge if you can't stand - but others (reading) really shouldn't require anything complicated to change.
But how do I even begin this conversation? The church itself is ADA accessible (although the altar area is not). Not a workplace, so those accommodation rules don't apply.
Comment