They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped in his tracks. “Call him over.” They called him. “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus. Jesus said, “What can I do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.” In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road. Mark 10:46-52, The Message
“Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” The blind beggar, Bartimaeus, cried out to Jesus as Jesus was passing by. Jesus’s disciples and the crowd following Jesus tried to silence Bartimaeus and even rebuked him, yet, Jesus stopped for Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus probably could sense the people’s scornful attitude as they said, “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” They demonstrated an ableist attitude.
“Ableism” is conscious or unconscious bias, prejudice, disrespect, or discrimination against people with disabilities based on the underlying belief that disabled people are inferior to non-disabled people because of their disabilities.[1]
Jesus, on the other hand, was attentive and focused on Bartimaeus. “What can I do for you?” Jesus asked. Even with Bartimaeus’s blindness, a visible disability, Jesus did not presume He knew what Bartimaeus needed or wanted. Jesus first inquired what Bartimaeus needed, and then He met the need.
Unfortunately, the same ableist mentality present in Jesus’s day still exists in today’s churches.
Deep down inside, most of us with temporarily able bodies and minds have a “us”-versus-“them” mentality. We consider people with disabilities as “others” rather than “us.” Even though we may not say it out loud, our attitudes and actions often betray us.
The result? The body of Christ is fragmented.
Ableism in the Church?
Many of you may disagree with me, believing churches, or at least your church, are the most welcoming places. You have access ramps for wheelchair users, designated parking for people with mobility needs, and accessible signage throughout your church space. Your church may even set aside resources specifically to minister to families affected by disabilities or participate in local charity events. Yes, all these are necessary and good. But what do people with disabilities in your church feel? Do they feel welcomed and fully embraced by the congregation? Are they able to participate in church events without undue burdens? Do they have opportunities to serve alongside others without disabilities?
Or, have you even asked them?
What Does it Look Like?
Ableism in the church is often subtle. And yet, subtle or overt, it hurts families and individuals with disabilities all the same. A lot of times, we may even be unaware that we have acted in an ableist manner that inadvertently yet deeply hurt the disabled individual on the receiving end. After all, we live in a culture of individualism and intellectualism. We believe in the lies that it is possible to have absolute autonomy, perfect bodies and minds, and perpetual productivity. We forget that we are mutually dependent on one another. We forget that Christ’s Body is broken when we leave out our brothers and sisters with disabilities.
The following chart shows some common examples of ableism in the church and what messages they communicate to people with disabilities and their families:
| Examples | Messages |
| No podium access for people using mobility assistive devices. | “No one with a disability may serve as a preacher, worship leader, or worship team member.” |
| Treating adults with disabilities as children. | “Adults with disabilities are incapable of doing adult things.” |
| Placing an older disabled child in a younger class. | “He is not important enough for us to spend extra time and help on.” |
| Insisting on helping a disabled person without asking her first or even when the offer of help has been turned down. | “You are not capable. You need my help. Your decision is irrelevant.” |
| Talking about the person with disabilities in front of him as if he is not present or talking to the attendant rather than the disabled individual. | “Your feelings are unimportant. You cannot understand and communicate effectively.” |
| Planning events without considering or consulting the needs of people with disabilities. | “Your needs and presence are unimportant.” |
| Spending money on beautifying church grounds rather than improving accessibility. | “Welcoming people with disabilities is not our priority.” |
| Never asking people with disabilities to serve. | “Your gifts and abilities are neither sufficient enough or valuable enough to contribute to the church body.” |
| Making a huge deal about reaching out to families affected by disabilities, even after the need has been there for many years. | “Look how welcoming our church is! We even welcome ‘others’ like you!” |
What Does It Feel Like?
I cannot tell you what exactly people with disabilities and their loved ones feel about these discriminatory behaviors and practices stemming from ableism because I have never been diagnosed with a disability. However, as a minority female, I have experienced a fair share of people’s discriminatory actions and attitudes toward me. I have often been made to feel I am “less than,” “not enough,” and that “I don’t belong.” And yet, I don’t have every barrier to overcome, and I don’t always experience discrimination. But, some individuals with disabilities and their families have fought the system and put up with people’s ignorance and unkindness almost all their lives. I can only imagine the profound pain, hurt, disappointment, and loneliness they must have felt.
What Can We Do?
Jesus was NOT an ableist.
If He were, He would have stayed in heaven and made over the earth long ago. On the contrary, Jesus condescended to come to earth and limited Himself to a human, imperfect, perishing body. He demonstrated what true solidarity is and what sacrificial love means. Moreover, He showed that all human beings are valuable and worthy of His love.
Self-Examine
Many of us may be unaware that we harbor an ableist mentality. We must examine our hearts honestly so society’s values won’t blindside us.
Pay Attention
Once we know our heart tendencies, we need to pay attention to our language, attitudes, and behaviors around people with disabilities. Make eye contact with them, speak to them respectfully, and wait for their responses. Respect their personal space and desires. Always ask the person with disabilities first before helping. Accept their no as no, and don’t force your help on the person.
Speak Up
When witnessing unkindness toward people with disabilities, speak up! When noticing their unmet needs in the church, talk to the leaders! Sins of omission (silence or inaction) are as serious as sins of commission (actions).
We need to be intentional about overcoming ableism in the church. Ability should not be the price people have to pay to get into the Kingdom because Jesus has paid the price in full. God has deemed everyone worthy of His love and sacrifice. It is time for God’s Church to stand up against society’s value system. It is time for God’s Church to embody Christ’s loving care for people with disabilities.
Who Are You?
In the opening Bible story of Bartimaeus, what role are you playing?
Are you the disciples or the crowd who were too busy and important to give Bartimaeus the time of day? Are you even hindering him from coming to Jesus?
Are you Jesus’s true disciple who saw Bartimaeus, treated him with respect, inquired about his needs, and tried to meet those needs?
Or, are you an individual with a disability who longs to know Jesus and is not too afraid of the opposition to call out to Him?
What is your answer?
[1] “Ableism Definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary,” accessed August 19, 2022, https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/ableist.