Introduction
The results of a research project, The United Church of Christ Employment Study, commissioned and supported by the National Committee on Pensions with Disabilities (NCPWD) in 1997-98, indicate that there are clergypersons with disabilities employed within the United Church of Christ. Of the clergypersons with disabilities who responded, 85% indicated they are underemployed, that is, either working on a parttime basis or receiving salaries substantially below established minimum guidelines.
The United Church of Christ Employment Study revealed considerable ignorance about the abilities of persons with disabilities. Search committees and some church leaders within the local and wider church were oblivious to and displayed indifference and insensitivity toward barriers faced by these clergypersons. Not only was a desired call to a church or position not forthcoming, but some of these persons with excellent skills had not even been invited for an interview. Responses revealed that clergy with disabilities declined to report their situation, fearing negative impact on their future employment.
Theological Rationale
God calls each of us to important ministries. Scripture contains examples of the calling of individuals with disabilities to important ministries. One example occurs in Exodus 4 where Moses is called by God to lead the Israelite people out of their oppression in Egypt to the Promised Land. Moses rejects the calling from God claiming, " am slow of speech and slow of tongue" There ensues an argument, which is resolved, when God names Aaron to be the interpreter for Moses. We see in this illustration that God models the calling of persons with disabilities to be our leaders. The church, to live in faithful discipleship, can do no less.
Text of the Resolution
WHEREAS, in 1977 the Eleventh General Synod approved the Pronouncements, “The Church and Persons with Handicaps,” which encouraged all settings of the United Church of Christ to implement full employment of persons with disabilities;
WHEREAS, in 1981 the Thirteenth General Synod approved the Proposal for Action, “The Church and Persons with Handicaps,” which included Calls for affirmative action in the hiring of persons with disabilities in our local churches and throughout the church;
WHEREAS, in 1985 the Fifteenth General Synod approved “Full Participation for Persons with Disabilities in the Life of the Church,” which “recommends that local churches, associations, conferences, instrumentalities and other national bodies seek out persons with disabilities to become actively involved in all aspects of the church;”
WHEREAS, in 1995 the Twentieth General Synod approved “Concerning the Church and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA),” which challenges the United Church of Christ to embrace the spirit of the ADA and hold itself to be morally bound by the provisions of the ADA which prohibit employment discrimination against person with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, despite the above General Synod actions, barriers remain within local churches, conferences, and national boards to calling clergy with disabilities to serve;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in the next two years, there be an aggressive campaign to assist clergy persons with disabilities in the call process. The Office for Church Life and Leadership and/or its successor body in partnership with the NCPWD is requested to lead this effort;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office for Church Life and Leadership and/or its successor body, in partnership with the NCPWD is requested to develop educational programs and resources for the church to address discrimination against clergy persons with disabilities and to include appropriate materials in research committee notebooks.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that all United Church of Christ related seminaries be urged to remove barriers– architectural, attitudinal, and cultural-which prohibit persons with disabilities from receiving the same preparation as non-disabled persons. Funding for this action will be made in accordance with the overall mandates of the affected agencies and the funds available.
Prudential Resolution: Requires a majority vote for passage.
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