Autism and Worship
2023: Year in Review
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56m
Dr. Dean Blevins interviews Armand Léon van Ommen on his book "Autism and Worship: A Liturgical Theology" in connection with the Nurturing Care grant.
In Autism and Worship, Armand Léon van Ommen offers an in-depth analysis of the absence and ignoring of, but also the presence of, autistic people in worship. Van Ommen recounts the experiences of autistic people and considers how those experiences might reframe liturgical theology and the worship practices of the church. He identifies the "cult of normalcy" as the root of the marginalization of autistic people. Normalcy is boundary keeping, the protective set of dynamics that determines who belongs to the community and who is excluded. The answer to absence and ignoring is found in presence and availability, rooted in kenosis. Through the act of making himself available to humankind by becoming human, Christ participated in humanity. Believers are invited to participate in the life and prayer of Christ in turn and accordingly make themselves available to one another.
Up Next in 2023: Year in Review
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Ministerial Entrepreneurship by Design
Dr. Dean Blevins contributed a workshop on “Ministerial Entrepreneurship by Design” demonstrating how design thinking helps ministry practice.
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Faith Communities and Entrepreneurs
Dean for Administration George Townsend hosted a panel discussion around “Faith Communities and Entrepreneurs: Exploring Possibilities and Overcoming Problems” which included exceptional panelists like business Chris Goode, founder of Ruby Jean's Kitchen and Juicery; Nazarene layman Mark Brinkley...
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Social Venturing and the Future of Co...
The seminary’s final session explored the “Social Venturing and the Future of Community Development” hosted by Heather Bryant, Dean of Marketing and Enrollment at NTS, but also previously Chief Development Officer at Mental Health Association of Oklahoma. Panelists included Father Justin Matthews...
