Shaping Special Hearts: Making Worship Accessible & Inclusive

Ever felt that incorporating people with special needs in worship was impossible or maybe just too big a challenge for your church to face? Good news - you don't have to do it alone!

Join host Vangie Rodenbeck as she interviews special guest Barbara J. Newman from CLC Network about her new book Accessible Gospel, Inclusive Worship. Learn steps and strategies for finding common ground when learning how to include people with different abilities in our worship settings. Hear Barbara uncover some principles that reveal how accessible the gospel message can really be. Then, listen as we break down worship into habits of a community that anyone can fully participate in - regardless of their abilities.

Barbara J. Newman is a church and school consultant for CLC Network. She is the author of several books and is a frequent national speaker at educational conferences and churches. In addition to writing and speaking, Barb enjoys working in her classroom at Zeeland Christian School.

Vangie Rodenbeck began her journey in special needs advocacy when her son, Noah, was diagnosed with autism at age four; the same year she also began full-time ministry to children. Through efforts to create a place where her son could learn about God, special needs advocacy and ministry became one and the same. Vangie has a B.S. in Christian Ministry and an M.A. in Contemporary Theology. Her thesis project, “Disability and the Image of God”, continued her desire to meld theology, practical ministry, and disability advocacy. She also serves as the Director of Resources for PURE Ministries. Vangie lives and ministers in Meridian, Idaho.