The Missing Voices Podcast

In the fifth episode of this series exploring Cripping Youth Ministry: An Intersectional Vision for Working with Disabled Youth, Dr. Erin Raffety returns to the book's "lament" section with contributors Sarah Griffith Lund, senior pastor of First Congregational Church of Indianapolis and minister for disabilities and mental health justice for the United Church of Christ, and Avery Danae Williams, a Princeton University student and writer. Sarah and Avery speak candidly about the injustices disabled youth still face in the church, what it means to self-identify as disabled or neurodivergent, and how mental health disabilities and chronic pain shape faith and community. The conversation closes with their hopes that this book will help young people know their disability is not a moral failing, and that congregations will come to see disability justice as central to youth ministry itself.

In the fourth episode of this series exploring Cripping Youth Ministry: An Intersectional Vision for Working with Disabled Youth, Justin Forbes turns to the book's "prophecy" section with contributors Cody Sanders, pastoral theologian at Luther Seminary, and Rudy Reyes, visiting scholar at the Graduate Theological Union. Cody Sanders and Rudy Reyes explore what makes ministry with disabled youth prophetic, from challenging ableist norms to embracing neurodiversity, cross-neurotype communication, and the integrated "body mind" of each young person. The conversation considers how new language and new imagination can open space for young people to see themselves reflected in scripture and in their communities, and closes with their hopes for the teenagers still finding their way toward belonging today.

In the third episode of this series exploring Cripping Youth Ministry: An Intersectional Vision for Working with Disabled Youth, Dr. Erin Raffety turns to the book's "protest" section with contributors Avery Arden, a scholar, poet, and founder of Binary Breaking Worship, and Mo Clark, a high school student and disability advocate. Avery Arden and Mo Clark talk about why protest belongs at the center of ministry with disabled youth, what it means to "crip" youth ministry, and how intersectionality (race, disability, sexuality and faith held together) shapes young people's experience of church. The conversation closes with their hopes that this book will help disabled youth see themselves, and their futures, reflected in scripture and in their communities.

In the second episode of this series exploring Cripping Youth Ministry: An Intersectional Vision for Working with Disabled Youth, Justin Forbes talks with contributors Hunter Steinitz, co-moderator of Presbyterians for Disability Concerns, and Peppa Paniagua, coordinator for Innovation and New Ministry Development at Grace Presbytery. Together they turn to the book's "praise" section, asking what it means for a congregation to move beyond access toward full participation, and how communities can equip and support ministry leaders serving disabled youth. Hunter Steinitz and Peppa Paniagua share stories of disabled joy from summer camps, conferences, and congregations that made room for every person present, and reflect on the vocations that grew out of their own lived experience. The conversation closes with their hopes for how this book might shape ministry with disabled youth in local communities.

In this episode, Dr. Justin Forbes sits down with Dr. Erin Raffety to introduce the book they co-edited; Cripping Youth Ministry: An Intersectional Vision for Working with Disabled Youth. Justin and Erin discuss why the book brings disabled young people, scholars, and ministry practitioners together as co-authors, what the four guiding movements of the book (lament, protest, praise, and prophecy) mean for congregations, and the story behind the title and cover art. Listen in to learn more about this exciting new project!

On this episode of the Missing Voices Podcast, you will hear from one of our Theologians in Residence, Mike Mather. Mike is a pastor, now in Boulder, Colorado, where he is “discovering” ministry in a new way in this community. Today’s episode will show you his mindset for ministry, particularly around his experience with assets-based community development, all while hearing a few stories along the way.

We hear all about youth ministry from a place of abundance, in today’s episode. Annalise Hume is a Spiritual Director who currently leads workshops on the connection of movement and faith. She has many years of experience working with Young Life and also happens to be one of our grant coaches through Ministry Architects, helping churches learn along their grant journey.

Featured on today’s episode is Justin Ferrell. He is a professor of Design Thinking at the Stanford D.School, where he helps students to creatively discover new ways to think about business. This is where we sought out Justin’s expertise to help our team of Missing Voices Project leaders and churches to think about innovative, forward-thinking youth ministry.

On today’s episode, you will hear from Rev. Kermit Moss. As both pastor and theologian, you will hear Kermit’s passion for youth ministry and the church through the topics of race, reconciliation and culture. Kermit is a faculty member of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina where he is the Professor of Practical Theology, Black Church Studies, and Culture.

We are visited by the familiar voice of Megan DeWald on this episode of the Missing Voices Podcast. As one of the Theologians in Residence for this project, Megan has walked with the MVP team in regard to queer youth and youth on the margins. She is also the Associate Director of the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary and the host of the IYM’s Disrupting Ministry podcast.