Being Needed, Cared for, and Present: Belonging and Disability in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in North America

Shannon M. Trecartin, Mikelle Wile, Terrance P. Trecartin, Petr Činčala

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Many Christian churches seek to be places of belonging, yet present barriers to inclusion. The present research focuses on disability and belonging in members of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in North America. Data from the SDA Global Church Survey (2017–2018) were used to measure attendance, perceived care, and sense of being needed. Results: Differences in attendance, leadership, and “feeling cared for” were observed. The findings of this study suggest that the SDA Church has had both successes and room for growth in terms of creating opportunities for belonging among people with disabilities. Implications for other denominations are also discussed.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)160-175
JournalJournal of Disability and Religion
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Belonging
  • caring faith community
  • church attendance
  • disability ministry
  • leadership
  • Seventh-day Adventist

Disciplines

  • Christian Denominations and Sects

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