A tapestry of connections

Abstract

"In recent years there has been a move amongst churches to make better response to the gifts and needs of people with learning difficulties. We have been challenged to look again at the nature of community and congregation. Baptist churches have been helped in their thinking and acting by the efforts of those involved with the Baptist Union Initiative with people with Learning Difficulties (BUILD). But there are still many questions neither answered nor asked. This article is written from the point of view of one with little expertise in this controversial area. I am as confused as most people over the use of various terms ranging around learning-difficulty, learning-disability, mental-handicap. I am aware that phraseology may be improper and offensive to some whilst being a reasonable description to others: and that this includes those most closely involved as carers and family. However, the only way to further understanding is to ask questions, and my questions stem from experience of the diversity of issues facing a small congregation which includes a number of people of different ages with learning difficulties"