wfn.org | New NCCCUSA Policy on "The Churches and Disabilities"

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2227
Internet: news@ncccusa.org

New NCCCUSA Policy On "The Churches and Disabilities" Calls on Churches to
be Inclusive

CHICAGO, Nov. 11 ---- The General Assembly of the National Council of
Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. adopted a new policy statement,
"Disabilities, the Body of Christ, and the Wholeness of Society," here Nov.
11.  The policy says, "All human beings, including those among us with
disabilities, are entitled to rights in church and society."

 The policy was based on four theological principles:
+ All people are created in the image of God;
+ All people are called by God;
+ All people have special gifts; and
+ All people are invited to participate in God's ministry.

 "A life of dignity and respect includes such rights as access to
education, health care, useful work, recreation, as well as the right to
friendship, spiritual nurture, freedom and self-expression," says the NCC 
statement.  "The rights of each person, including people with disabilities,
are equal to and balanced by the rights of others."

 "We believe the human community in all its forms is accountable to God to
protect these civil and human rights," the NCC says.  "God requires the
church to give spiritual and moral leadership to society in protecting 
these rights.  The church must exercise its leadership by its public
preaching and teaching but even more by its example as an inclusive
community of faith, using the gifts of all its members."

 The Rev. Charles S. Miller of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
successfully amended the statement to clarify that human rights are not
handed down by God.  "Human rights are discerned by human beings through
God's gift of reason not a divine call," he said.

 The NCC has affirmed "the dignity and worth of all people, including those
of us with disabilities" on several occasions over the last 40 years.  Most
member communions of the NCC have issued similar statements "calling for
the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of church
life."  The purpose this new policy is for the NCC "to reaffirm and broaden
its commitment to people with disabilities."

-end-