Anti-ableist Liturgies

Part I: Adapting Your Order of Worship and Liturgy

Why Does Language Matter?

From the United Methodist Revised Social Principles (Basic Rights and Freedoms, section H, pp. 38–39, adopted April 2024):

We lament that the church has often stigmatized and discriminated against people with disabilities by imposing labels with negative connotations, by failing to make space in church life for the full range of God’s people, and by interpreting words such as “blind,” “lame,” and “deaf” in pejorative ways. Because of this, people with disabilities are frequently dismissed or undervalued, both in the church and in civil society.

  • Significant ableism and stigma remain in church and society.

  • Ableism: prejudice against disabled bodies in favor of “normal” bodies. Creates attitudinal, architectural, and programmatic barriers (Resolution: Overcoming Ableism and Audism, Petition #20845-CB-R9999, adopted 04/2024).

  • Many are unaware ableism exists as discrimination.

  • Words can hurt and exclude.

  • Worship must incorporate respect and justice for all.

  • Within the Body of Christ, there is no “other.”

Avoiding Common Ableist Pitfalls in Liturgy and Language

  • Do not avoid the word “disability.” Euphemisms like “special needs” or “differently abled” imply shame.

  • Avoid: “victim of,” “stricken by,” “confined to.”

  • Person-first language (e.g., “a girl who has cerebral palsy”) is valid, but not always preferred.

  • Identity-first language is embraced by many communities (e.g., Deaf, Autistic). Always ask individuals.

General language guidelines:

  • Instead of crazy → mixed up, unsettled, chaotic.

  • Instead of blind to → oblivious, distracted.

  • Instead of deaf to → inattentive, ignoring.

  • Instead of crippled by → hindered, impeded.

Use metaphors like “open the eyes of our hearts.”
Avoid overly academic/theological language that excludes those with intellectual disabilities or non-native speakers.

Movement Within the Service

  • Say “Rise in body or spirit” instead of “Stand as you are able.”

  • Offer alternatives for kneeling at communion.

  • Use “Be in an attitude of prayer” so people can keep eyes open if needed.

Songs

Many hymns include ableist imagery. Examples:

  • “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (UMH #57) – verse may be omitted.

  • “You Are Mine” – “Stand up, now, walk, and live” implies non-walkers aren’t fully alive.

  • “We Are Called” (TFWS #2172) – uses blindness negatively.

Disability-inclusive hymns:

United Methodist Hymnal:

  • #89 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”

  • #111 “How Can We Name a Love”

  • #114 “Many Gifts, One Spirit”

  • #140 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

  • #593 “Here I Am, Lord”

The Faith We Sing:

  • #2032 “My Life Is in You, Lord”

  • #2051 “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”

  • #2223 “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”

  • #2225 “Who Is My Mother, Who Is My Brother”

  • #2228 “Sacred the Body”

See annotated lists on the DMC Worship Planning resources page.

Scripture Texts

  • The Common English Bible sometimes uses more inclusive terms.

  • Verses like John 14:13 (“invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind”) must be addressed directly.

  • Healing stories should be framed as restoration to community, not erasure of disability.

Resources

Books:

  • Kathy Black, A Healing Homiletic: Preaching and Disability (1996)

  • Nancy Eiesland, The Disabled God (1994)

  • Bethany Fox, Disability and the Way of Jesus (2019)

  • Amos Yong, The Bible, Disability and the Church (2011)

Part II: Checklist for Proofing Worship and Liturgy

  • Watch for disability metaphors (blind, deaf, lame = sin).

  • Avoid homogenizing “the disabled.”

  • Don’t separate “us” vs. “them.”

  • Be mindful of “the least of these” language without recognizing disabled members are present.

  • Check for outdated words (crippled, handicapped, wheelchair-bound).

  • Avoid using mental health diagnoses as metaphors.

  • Don’t turn disabled persons into “inspiration” objects or pity stories.

  • Don’t overemphasize able-bodied helpers.

  • Don’t mention disability unnecessarily or without permission.

  • Don’t create hierarchies among disabilities.

How to proof:

  • Use find/replace in documents.

  • Have Disability Committee members or disabled persons review materials.

  • Read aloud to catch issues.

  • Review scriptures, liturgies, songs, sermons, readings.

Author: Deaconess Lynn Swedberg
Updated: June 26, 2024

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