Category Archives: Clergy

Churches Build Momentum for Neurodiverse Inclusion Through Nurturing Care Initiative

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Church leaders from across several Nazarene congregations in the Southeast and Midwest gathered for a monthly Nurturing Care project check-in, sharing stories of progress, growing support, and the challenges of creating more welcoming spaces for neurodivergent and sensory-seeking children and … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, Clergy, disability, Nashville Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faith Communities Welcoming Disability: Bill Tammeus Reports on Melody Escobar

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Former Kansas City Religion Reporter Bill Tammeus attended the Nurturing Care Day of Learning with Melody Escobar. Tammeus, also a columnist and book reviewer with the National Catholic Press and The Presbyterian Outlook, contributes to the KC online magazine Flatland … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Clergy, disability, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Churches Urged to Rethink Inclusion for Autistic Individuals, Families

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Dr. Melody Escobar, a leading practical theologian, calls on churches across the United States to confront a troubling reality: families of children with disabilities, particularly autism, leaving congregations at alarming rates due to a lack of genuine inclusion. Speaking during … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, Clergy, Continuing Education, disability, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Active Discussion Session

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins
Posted in Autism, Children, Clergy, Continuing Education, disability, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care, Pedagogy | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trust expressed among Native American Children

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

It was another meaningful and spiritually enriching time with the children representing four churches in the Southwest Native American District’s Eastern Zone. The focus of the gathering was on trust. As the leader spoke about trust, the children engaged in … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Clergy, Moral Integration, Nurturing Care, West Coast | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

West Coast Nurturing Care Initiative Shows Grassroots Innovation and Spiritual Impact Across Congregations

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

A series of monthly reports and ministry updates from churches participating in the West Coast Nurturing Care cohort reveal a growing movement reshaping how children engage with faith—through creativity, service, and intentional space-making. Across California, Oregon, and beyond, congregations are … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Clergy, Intergenerational, Moral Integration, Northern California, Nurturing Care, Spiritual Formation, Virtue, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nurturing Care Launches Nashville Maker’s Space

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

On March 6–7, 2026, Grace Church of the Nazarene hosted the first Nashville Maker’s Space, a collaborative event bringing together churches using design thinking to experiment with new ways to include neurodivergent children and families in the life of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, Clergy, disability, KC Nurturing Care, Nashville Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care | 2 Comments