Mephibosheth Ministry Church Relations

Will you Join me in my summer plans?

2011-06-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends

Greetings from Southern Colorado. I hope that this letter finds you and yours doing well.

I am staying busy working with Mephibosheth Ministry as the director of church relations. In this role, I am working along side churches to help them to see that people living with disabilities are people who have something to offer the body of Christ. I am also responsible to see that the ministry’s message gets into print form.

Along with those things I also work with Joni and Friends, (JAF) a ministry to people living with disabilities, helping them with special projects and serve as an online missionary with Global Ministry Outreach, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ.

In September of 2010, I was blessed to start a working relationship with Kelly. After getting to know her better, it has become evident that she shares not only my faith in God but also my deep passion for seeing people of all abilities live all aspects of their lives to the fullest.

In August, Kelly and I have the opportunity to drive to Minnesota and serve as short-term missionaries (STMs) at Joni and Friends Family Retreat.

Family Retreat is a place where individuals who live with disabilities and their families can go to receive encouragement and care in the comfort in a safe and accessible family camp environment. STMs are volunteers who serve families with Christ-like encouragement and friendship.

During the retreat I will be helping to lead the young adults group as well as taking the time to enjoy the retreat myself. Kelly will be assigned a family to serve and will help me with any needs I might have during our stay. After the retreat, we are hoping to meet up with friends and will look to continue ministering wherever the Lord might lead.

In order to make this trip possible, $1500 needs to be raised by July 20, 2011.

Would you prayerfully consider partnering with Kelly and me to reach families living with disabilities by making a tax deductable donation toward the cost of the trip?

A donation of any amount would be greatly appreciated and even if you are unable to help us financially, your prayers for both of us will be appreciated as well.

Checks may be made out to MEPHIBOSHETH MINISTRY with TAIT BERGE in the memo line. They can be sent to

tait berge

510 North Royer

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Thank you for taking time to consider this.

Sincerely,

Tait

New opportunities

2011-04-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and Friends,

Spring has come to Colorado and my life. The Lord has opened doors that I’ve been knocking on for years. One the doors that is opening is someone to come along side to help me with the ministry.

Kelly and I met through Care.com when she answered my job posting for a care provider. Turns out that she has vast experience in disabilities including adaptive swimming, volunteering for the Paralympics games, and collecting wheelchairs for Wheelchairs for World. She once told me that her life’s mission is to help people with disabilities achieve their dreams.

Kelly and I have become good friends. She is working for me four times a week including a few times in the pool. Kelly is a strong Christian and has joined my church and small group. She has become a good sounding board. We can talk about anything from issues with my body to questions I’m getting in ministry, to theological issues. Kelly has a great sense of humor, and we get a long so well. Someone once ask us if we were brother and sister. Just in Christ, we say.

Kelly is answer to prayer. One of the suggestions from my time at Nazarene Bible College was that I need an “Aaron” -- someone who would come aside me and assist me in ministry. I’ve been praying for “my Aaron” for years, and I finally found him in Kelly! She brings her faith, an understanding of my needs, a background in disabilities, and knowledge of Ministry. She is a good advocate and will speak her mind when she has to. Her strengths are defiantly my weaknesses.

For the first time in ministry I have found someone who can help me do more in ministry including traveling with me. We are planning two trips that includes the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference in May and a Joni and Friends Family Retreat in Minnesota in August. I haven’t been to the writer’s conference in five years. I miss my friends, and this will be close to home to try living on the road. I have always wanted to attend a family retreat and chose Minnesota because I can hop next store to North Dakota and see my brother and his family. I’m really excited about that.

Out of this come several prayer requests. First, pray that Kelly finds another job that gives her more income and allows her to be available to me. Second, there’s a chance that Kelly could become a Ministry Associate at Mephibosheth Ministry, which would mean she could raise her own support to minister along side with me. Pray for wisdom for her, Mary Jane, and me as we discern whether this partnership is good for everyone involved. Finally, please keep us in your prayers as we plans this year’s trips.

I pray all is well with you and yours.

God bless, Tait

Using the Internet to Reach out for Christ

2011-01-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

Using the Internet to Reach out for Christ

By Tait Berge

The Internet is becoming a powerful evangelistic tool, and Global Media Outreach reaches people all over the world for Jesus, at their point of need. GMO is seeing over 1 million people on average per month make a commitment to Christ with many signing for follow up discipleship.

Their mission is simple: To use the Internet to reach people for Christ. When people find a website like www.Jesus2020.com, they receive a gospel message and can connect to an online missionary who is there to give love and support, share the Gospel, and answer questions.

When Joni and Friends first approached me about being an online missionary, I was skeptical. Me in evangelism ministry? It’s not my gift. But I was at a point in my ministry where I’d try just about anything to get out of a funk.

It took me a few months to warm up to talking with people online about Christ. I didn’t get it, and I certainly didn’t care about the spiritual needs of the people receiving my emails. Sending a preprepared email to somebody just didn’t seem right. Anyone can sit and send emails. In my mind, I also signed up for this job to minister to people who were affected with disabilities, and I was just buying my time until a letter from someone with a disability showed up in my mailbox.

I finally realized that I was throwing away a gift God had given me. My ministry wasn’t limited to disability ministry...I needed to minister to anyone God put in my path. Disabled or not, these people I was emailing needed Jesus, and it’d be my honor to lead them to salvation!

When I wrapped my mind around this idea and let go of my agenda, I saw new opportunities. I can reach people over the world with the love of Christ – just from my computer. How cool is that?

Even if I never write to someone with a disability, being an online missionary has been the best thing for me, for my ministry, and my personal growth as a Christian. Because of my disability, not many “strangers” would allow me to come into their lives and lead them to Christ, but they can’t see me through the computer. Therefore, I can lead them to Christ without any restrictions. I can use my writing skills, knowledge of scripture and theology, and experiences to get the message out effectively.

Thank you, Lord, for leading me to become an online missionary. May the folks I minister to come to know and love you.

To become an online missionary, one must fill out an application and go through a training. More information can be found at http://www.globalmediaoutreach.com.

2011-new yer

2011-01-11T17:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

For the first time in years, perhaps in my entire life, I feel I’m right where I should be. No more down the road, no less. I ask myself what goal should I take on this year – write another book, try to work with a church, strengthen my body somehow or at least talk to my therapy advisors about what I can do, but the Holy Spirit tells me I’m right where I need to be. Yes, He will make me grow this year, I’m sure, and I do have ideas of what I want to do, but I have no desire to force my will on something I can’t control.

I could, for example, question my body. It’s not working like it has been…I’m basically stuck in one position any more and can’t even roll over in bed. Should I worry about that? Could something be done to help me be movable? It’s a question worth asking, but I’m not going to worry about it as I have in the past. I have exercises I do, play the WI, and go to swimming a few times a week. I’ll do what my body allows me to do – nothing more nothing less.

The question comes across my mind: am I using my degree in Leadership and Ethics like I planned? What have I done lately in my work as Church Relations Director to deserve to keep that job title? Okay, I manage a church database for the Colorado Springs area, and I helped present a seminar last September. My old self would shame me for that because I could do so much more, and I do have two ideas I’m praying about doing. For example, I would like to write more about what it takes to involve someone with a disability in a church body and sell it, and/or video our presentations and post them on the web. Both are realistic goals, and I hope Mary Jane will give me the go ahead to pursue these goals. I have faith that I’ll do whatever my body will allows me to do.

For now, I’m working as an online missionary where I get to lead people to Christ almost every day. This may be my true calling, and again if I’m not careful I could deny Christ’s work through me. My degree is in Leadership and Ethics, and my job is a Church Relations Director. But there are some days when my body isn’t behaving and I can’t seem to get going. I can always write a note to a contact, and I have participated in God’s Kingdom if I just did that. I have also discovered that this ministry has given me a place where I can use all my skills and knowledge I have developed the past 15 years. Whether it’s explaining the Trinity to a new Christian, or answering a question about a disability issue, my years of study are starting to pay off!

There are days when my body doesn’t work and I just want to pray. I get angry because I thought I’d be doing so much more. After all, Joni Eareckson Tada and Mary Jane Ponten hurt maybe more than I do, and look at them. They’re always on the go, and I resigned myself that my body doesn’t work and I just can pray?

Nothing against prayer. Prayer moves mountains. But I never thought of myself as so disabled, so crippled, that all I could do is to pray. After all, I’m not medically fragile. I’m not dying. Yet, years of wear and tare on my body have taken it troll, and I’m starting notice it. There’s nothing I can do about it, so I’ll do what I can and leave the rest for God.

Prayer requests:

• For my body, that it allows me to do my work

• For my work as Church Relations Director and possible new projects

• For my work as an online missionary, and for Thapelo who is so close for accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Tait

Ministry abounds

2010-07-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

Summer 2010

Dear Ministry partners,

The title of this letter is called “Ministry abounds”. I can’t remember a time when I haven’t felt better (Note: don’t read the sixth paragraph. It’s a lie. Or maybe I should put an adjective here like “mentally”. But then again, when have I been in my right mind? I should just start this letter over…but I have you laughing…or at I hope you’re laughing!), feeling God’s presence, and doing what I am called to do.

My ministry has been exploding but at a pace I can handle. I continue to minister through Global Media Outreach and help lead four or five people daily to Christ. I’ve written an article about my experience and it has been published already three times including Assist News Service (assistnews.net) last week. I also had a story about my writing career published with them last week.

I have other articles in the oven and always doing research for them. Stay tuned. I have some ideas and projects in mind that will knock your stocks off! Thanks to my IPad, I have been reading more making my research and life munch easier. From theology to history to Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, my love for books, reading, and learning has finally caught up with each other. I am really thankful for that.

Besides my work with GMO, I have been working hand in hand with Joni and Friends, local churches, and a quite a few of people on a variety of issues including getting people to church, ministering to families affected by disability through Joni and Friends’ Special Delivery Programs, and doing some one-on-one discipleship things. Please pray for these opportunities.

For fun, (heck how much more fun can I have with working for God and reading Books) I swim, watch movies, take Santana for walks, and play my new WI. I asked a friend what he did for exercise (he has CP), and he said he played the WI. So I got a WI, and my arms get great exercise with it. I adverage about 160 in bowling.

(Here’s the lie. But it’s the truth! Whatever…I’ll just write another article or find someone to minister to, or just pet the dog…) My (other) life: You have sharp needles pain your eyes almost every night. You go to 4 doctors, and nobody knows what's wrong. You even wonder if they take you seriously. Then, you end up at your primary again. He takes you seriously but don't know what's wrong. Instead he is concerned about your blood pressure and puts you on a 24-hour blood pressure thing. Oh yea, he gives you ear drops because you have an infection.

(But that’s my other life. We don’t talk about it; just ask for prayers. I did receive a call from my doctor yesterday saying that my blood pressure is high and that he wants to put me on medication. Pray for that. My dad was on blood pressure medication for years, and I’m nervous about becoming like Dad. That, and eating spaghetti, but that’s another story. Just ask me to tell the story if you are curious.)

As always thank you for your prayers and support. I pray this letter finds well and happy and that you are feeling God’s grace today and everyday. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Blessings, Tait

Some oldies but goodies

2009-08-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

Here are two stories, both written in 2003, about my experiences at a church and at McDonald’s . I often go back and read these stories because they remind me why I'm in ministry. I also wonder if I learned these lessons, and, if I ever got into these situations again, if I could better handle myself. I would hope so, but I don't know. I guess that's why I must trust God and believe that he is with me in all situations helping me grow and become more like his Son. I share these stories, especially "Rejection or lesson?", as examples of what my ministry try to teach. "Rejection or Lesson?" helped me understand how a church can view people with disabilities and make them feel like second class citizens. My McDonald's story reminds me how some people sees me, and how I can do anything and they will never "get it." I share both stories to give my readers some idea of my experiences that led me to do what I do. God opened my eyes in both experiences and helped me find the ministry I do today. Enjoy, and please let me know what you think!

My Encounter at McDonalds

By Tait Berge

Sometimes God places us in uncomfortable situations to teach us something, to show us a new possibility, or to expand our minds. He always uses this to start us on a new adventure. We are never the same afterwards. That’s exactly what happened to me. This is my story.

My story begins on a hot June afternoon. On the way home from an appointment, I stopped at McDonald’s for a milkshake and an apple pie.

Soon after I pulled up to a table, a woman came over and to see if I needed some help and asked if she could sit with me. She was alone, she said, and would enjoy some company. I shook her off, wanting her leave me alone while I enjoyed my snack. I’m a very private person and don’t like to strike up a conversation with strangers.

I thought that’d be the end of it, and the woman would move on, but no. Assuming I needed some help with my snack, she ignored my wishes and moved her things to my table.

She couldn’t help but to help me. From her perspective, I was having problems sucking the thick shake through my straw. She acted as if it were her job to do something about it.

“That shake is too thick for you,” she said. “Let me see if they can add some more milk to it.” Before I could tell her I like my shakes thick and that I didn’t need her help, she whisked it away and returned with nothing more than a cup of cold milk.

I started on my pie. “You shouldn’t eat such big pieces,” she insisted. “Here, let me cut it up for you.”

I didn’t need her help much less than ask for it. I’ve been going to McDonald’s by myself for many years, and I can take care of myself just fine thank you!

I almost picked up my shake and pie and went home. This lady was weirder than a three-dollar bill! All the sudden, a familiar feeling swept over me. I knew God was with me and that he had a purpose for this strange encounter. I had no choice but to hang around and see how this turned out.

Peggy was the woman’s name, and she and I talked for almost an hour.

Almost immediately, we established my age and that I lived independently. I told her I was a writer and that I had received an associate degree in journalism. I went on and talked about my self-published book and my other writing projects.

I couldn’t make her understand I was working on a degree in theology or that I had a full time ministry, however. The questions she asked made me realize that she thought I helped out in a children’s Sunday school or something. I gave up trying to explain the rest: I just finished teaching a 32-week Disciple Bible study and a seven week class on Paul.

Then it really got weird.

Peggy wanted to know what service dog’s name was. She’ll never get it, I thought. I gave it my best shot anyway.

“Lanzner.”

“What?”

“Lanz-ner.”

“Keep your tongue down and say it again.”

By the time she understood, I was mad. How dare this stranger coach me on how to talk!

I looked out the window and took a deep breath. Okay God. What is going on here? Please let me leave. I can’t do this!

The old, familiar feeling came over me like a warm blanket. I heard a voice: “You’re doing fine. Keep going. Don’t run!”

Peggy turned to a mutual interest. She told me that she was also a Christian and wanted to know my favorite Bible story.

“Finally good question,” I thought. It was just a simple way of getting to know a fellow believer, and I was more than glad to answer it. I’m in my element when I talk about the Bible and theology.

The way Peggy asked the question, however, seemed strange to me. I felt like a little child. The inflection in her voice made me realize she didn’t really believe what I had been saying about myself. She needed to test me.

What should I tell her? I thought. My mind raced through the Bible.

Exodus 4:11: “Who made man’s mouth?”

Something from the Psalms?

The gospels?

Paul?

“John 21,” I finally said. “When Jesus says he loves Peter.”

Peggy immediately got out her Bible to look up the passage. I wanted to go on and explain why I liked this story (One of the reasons is because of its original meaning), but I didn’t get a chance. Peggy thought I picked it because it tells me that Jesus loves me.

Well, true. But when you look at in context, when you read the Greek and really study the chapter, it is so much more. I knew Peggy would never get my interpretation because of the way she began the discussion. She actually asked me how many disciples there were!

“There were twelve,” I said, playing along.

Peggy thought she finally had me. “No Tait. There were thirteen because Judas committed suicide, remember?”

I wanted to scream (bad theology is like figure nails running down a chalk board!) and set her straight, but I knew I wasn’t at McDonald’s to give a history/theological lesson. The preschool theology lesson went on for about ten minutes, and Peggy even asked me if I knew whom Noah was. I couldn’t believe it! I felt like a four year old!

The calm assurance from God came to me once again. “You’re doing fine, Tait. Keep going. Don’t give up.”

The talk turned to my book. “Is it a real book?” Peggy asked.

I was baffled. I told her I wrote a book. Why couldn’t she believe that I had written a book? Instead of pressing the issue, I just reconfirmed that I really did write a book.

“Is it for sale?”

“Yes.”

“How much is it?”

“$15.”

“Can I buy a copy?”

“Sure. I’ll have to go home and get one.”

Even though I didn’t have a book with me, Peggy gave me $15 in cash for a book (she said I could give her one the next time I saw her) and insisted on helping me put it in my wallet. When she saw how much cash I had, Peggy organized it for me.

“Now this is a one. Put all the ones here,” she said. “This is a five. Put it here. Now, Tait, look at me. This is a twenty. Do you know how much that is? Put it here. There, you are set.”

At that very instant, the lesson was over! God released me from class. My hands were finally untied, and I was furious! I didn’t like Peggy going through my wallet at all. I tried to tell her that, but the lady thought I was just overwhelmed by all the money I had. She actually reached out for my hands and started to pray for God’s protection over my money.

Whether I pulled back because I was upset at Peggy’s behavior and didn’t want her to pray, or whether I lost control over my muscles (I do that when I get my dander up), I don’t know, but I pulled back in haste. This didn’t seem to bother Peggy, however. She simply reached for my hand, adjusted her grip, and continued her prayer.

I was dumbfounded! This lady did not get it! Peggy knew I was smart, but she treated me like I had a mental disability. The last straw was when she explained what she does. She spoke so slowly that I could have written another entire book! Making sue I could read her lips, Peggy asked: “Do you know what foster care is?”

I’d had enough! I excused myself and headed for the door before I said something I’d later regret. Peggy asked when I could come back. I said I didn’t know.

Peggy said she was always at McDonald’s on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 2:45. She hoped I could come back and visit again. “Maybe we can do a Bible study together!” she exclaimed.

Peggy wasn’t done yet: “Now Tait, do remember when I’ll be here? She spoke slowly once again: “Mon-day, Wed-nes-day and Thurs-day at two-four-ty five. Can you remember that?”

“Yes,” I said as I left.

I wrote about my experience with Peggy in my journal the next day. I needed to sort out the day’s events from my feelings and gain some kind of a perspective. What happened? Why did I stay as long as I did?

Whenever I go back and read my journal, a sentence always jumps off the page. It reads: “Maybe my encounter was with God more than with Peggy.”

Indeed it was! I’m not the type of person who talks to strangers, and I hate to be treated as if I have a mental disability. Combine these two things and I should have thrown Peggy out on her head even before she touched my milkshake! (A friend suggested that I should have dumped it on her being disabled and all!) God, however, gave me the ability to put up with Peggy to show me my ministry.

(I should say that I went back to McDonald’s about a week later and gave Peggy a book as promised, but I didn’t stay. The lady was far too stubborn for me to try to explain myself. If she understood that I had a college degree but had to make sure I knew what foster care was, then there was nothing I could say to make her understand. I had to let it be.)

As fate would have it, however, Peggy is not the center of this story. It wasn’t my place to try to help Peggy understand that I was just as normal as she was. I went to McDonald’s for a shake, met an ignorant lady and left with a life-long assignment.

If there’s one person who thinks and acts like Peggy, there’re bound to be others. That’s why I’m developing a ministry that will educate the public about people with disabilities. It will develop materials, conduct seminars and meet one on one with people using biblical principles. I believe this is my calling.

Callings come in all kind of ways. God told Abram to leave his country, and by faith he did. Moses received his calling – leading the Hebrews out of slavery – when God appeared to him through a burning bush. Christian persecutor-turned-missionary Paul received his call from Christ himself on his way to Damascus. I have a friend who received her call to ministry while sitting by a mountainside stream.

My calling was unique, too. It came at McDonald’s. I’ll never be the same.

Rejection or lesson?

By Tait Berge

Summer, 2003

For about a year now, I have itched to do something totally different with my spiritual life. Mind you, I love my church, what it stands for, and the people. Especially the people. I’ve studied with them. I’ve worshipped with them. I’ve laughed, cried, celebrated, served with them.

But when I stepped out to do ministry beyond my church, I felt out of place when I went back for Sunday services. Whether it was because I was in ministry with other folks besides my church friends, or whether it because I finally found people my own age to hang out with (all my church friends are at least ten years older than me), I don’t know, but I started to feel out of place at my home church.

These were my feelings for an entire year.

When the school year was over my friend from Young Life and I decided to keep in touch during the summer. One thing I suggested we could do was to go to church together. Mykil thought it great idea and suggested we do that the following Sunday to do just that.

Mykil picked me up for church, along with my service dog, Lanzner. “I think you’ll like this church,” she told me in the car. She said that they were studying the gospel of Mark and that the pastor conducted the service more like a Bible study than a typical sermon. My curiosity rose, and I was more than ready for this experience when we pulled into the parking lot.

What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was the reaction towards Lanzner. Not too long after we got inside, an usher came toward us and explained that the dog couldn’t go into the sanctuary but that we would be welcome to sit in the foyer and watch the service through the glass.

I don’t remember what happened next, but I ended up outside before I said or did something I’d later regret. Mykil came after me to see what was wrong. “They’re breaking the law,” I said. Mykil understood and went back in to explain it to the usher, but he wouldn’t budge.

“He said that they talked to your dog group, and it came down to private property rights,” she said when she returned. “They are worried about people’s allergies. There’s nothing he can do…we’ll have to sit in the foyer. Or I can take you home.”

I agreed to stay. When we got to our seats, the usher came over to apologize. “I’m sorry I offended you,” he said. “We’re just worried about people’s comfort. Some might be allergic to your dog, and we don’t want them to sneeze do we?” I acted as if I understood and tried to focus my mind on worship.

After the service, the usher came up to me and apologized again and thanked me for understanding. Hindsight being 20/20, I wish I had spoken up and said:

“Yes, I understand. I understand that I took time away from my church to come and worship with my friend only to have you tell us we aren’t allowed in the sanctuary. I understand that I can take my dog into the hospitals to visit the sick, thus fulfilling Jesus words, ‘I was sick and you came to visit me.’ (Matthew 25:36) But I cannot worship in your sanctuary because people might be allergic to my dog? Yes, I understand. But let me ask you something. Do you think God understands? Do you think Jesus, who died so I can worship Him, understands?”

I wonder how he would have responded.

Nevertheless, I believe God uses all of our experiences to teach us and bring us closer to Him. That was certainly the case here. I learned things that I had never known before, things I’d forgotten, and even a lesson in what is really important.

1: Our first reactions are always based on the law and never on what would Jesus do.

I don’t like the fad of WWJD. It’s nice to think about “what would Jesus do,” and I commend people for teaching children Jesus’ values with this acronym. Is someone picking on you? Well, WWJD? Did someone cut you off on the freeway? Go ahead and ask “WWJD” if it helps you cool off. It just doesn’t work with every situation.

Notice my first reaction when the usher told me I couldn’t go into the sanctuary. Was it WWJD? No, I cited a law. They were violating MY rights.

Indeed they were, and indeed I had the law on my side, but so what? Does Jesus really care about the American with Disabilities Act, the law that says I can take my service dog into public places? Probably not. In fact, I think Jesus might have done something totally different. What, I don’t know. I’m not Jesus. That’s why I don’t like WWJD, especially in cases like this.

Would Jesus leave like I almost did? Well, we do have examples in scripture where he does leave when he wasn’t wanted. How about talking to the usher and trying to reason with him? The Bible has those stories, too. Does Jesus ever keep quiet and do what the natives do? Sure he does. The point is that I can have my ideas of what Jesus might have done or said that Sunday and I’ll talk about that in my next point, but I cannot know exactly.

We humans like laws. They protect us. They help make sure nothing bad ever happens to us, and if something ever does, boy you’ll pay! But do our laws really help us live the Christian life?

Whether we’re talking about laws against murder, equal rights, or public access laws, we’ll eventually be faced with the question: Does this law glorify God? That is the point of the Ten Commandments, and it should be the point with all laws. But we tend to use laws to our advantage, thus forgetting the true intent of the law, or using it in a way it was never intended.

So my first lesson was that I may have had the law on my side, but I stepped across the line by citing the law first and foremost. I could have done it another way. Jesus’ way.

2: The scriptures came alive.

So what would Jesus do in my situation? The Bible gives us some answers.

One of the many reasons Jesus healed people was because society, especially the religious sect, wouldn’t allow people who had anything wrong with them to be involved in worship services, the market place, or anything that had to do with public affairs. They were forced to watch from the sidelines, from the back row, or through a window in the back of the room.

Sound familiar?

Let me be quick to point out that I wasn’t being kept out of the sanctuary because of my disability; I was told that my dog couldn’t go in. But Lanzner is my arms and legs. To be told that my dog couldn’t go into the sanctuary is the same as to say, “You can’t go in with that prosthetic leg. You’ll have to leave it outside.” Or even a worse message: “Your body is not perfect, therefore you can’t worship with us.”

Again this was not the intent of the usher. He was just holding up a policy of the church. The scripture about Jesus’ healings finally came alive.

What if Jesus had shown up at the church that morning? Would he have healed me? In my other writings and speaking I am adamant in my belief that I’m disabled for a purpose. God has plans to use me in spite of my challenges or even because of them.

In this case, however, I think Jesus would have healed me. And although my healing would have made my life better, Jesus’ actions would have gone beyond my own situation. It would have brought me into the community of which I couldn’t be apart of before. It would let the other people at the church that morning know I was just as normal as they were.

After many of his healings, Jesus tells the person to “go show yourself to the priest.” (See Matthew 8:4) Why? So that the priest could inspect to make sure the person really was clean. It would be only then that the person would be allowed into the temple for worship.

Imagine going to church and going through a thorough inspection in order to be allowed in to the sanctuary. You must check in all your sins and all the junk at the door. You must be perfect – your body, your emotional status, your social activities, everything - to attend. That was the attitude of the church leaders in Jesus’ day, and I got a real-life example at that church.

3. What it means to worship and have a church family

The next Sunday after my experience at Mykil’s church, I was back in familiar surroundings. I was in a goofy mood. I joked around with Lanzner all morning that I wondered if we would be allowed to go into the sanctuary.

My friend greeted me at the door, and I asked her if I could really come in. She didn’t know what I was talking about, of course, but played along. (I knew she would.) “Sure!” The water is warm,” she said.

My friend handed me a bulletin, and I made my way to my usual seat, close to the chancel.

I went a bit over the top, admittedly, but I felt so good to be back in worship. As I sat waiting for the service to start, a warm feeling swept over me. I was in God’s house and I’d get to worship him.

As with my other points, I do not wish to compare my own situation with others in the world. Many countries forbid public worship, thus putting many Christians in harms way. This is horrible, and I cannot imagine being in that situation. However, once you experience rejection at any level, you begin to appreciate what you have.

This was my feeling as I entered God’s sanctuary that morning. For the first time in a long time, I really wanted to worship. I wanted to praise God for who He is and what he has done. My reasons for going to church were revitalized!

I believe God places us in situations to bring us closer to him. This is what my experience at Mykil’s church was all about. God wanted me to know Him better. Whether it’s realizing when and how to cite a law, having familiar Bible passages come alive in new and exciting ways, or becoming more attentive to my worship, my experience on June 22, 2003 has certainly opened my eyes toward the future. That’s what God does the best.

Writings by Mary Jane

2009-08-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

From time to time, I'll post writings from Mary Jane Ponten, founder of Mephibosheth Ministry. Here are two such stories.

In All I Do, I Honor You.

The other day I was a guest at a friend’s church. The congregation was quietly singing from their heart the final words of the song,

“It’s my joy to honor you

In all I do,

I honor you.”

At that moment most of them I am sure were totally sincere. My heart said, “M J, you’re not even close to honoring Christ in half – or even a quarter – of what you do.” I looked around, knowing only my friend who had taken me to church that day. I thought to myself, if only ten percent of the people who were singing these words were to try – just try – to live up to what they were singing this church would turn this city in the U S A up-side-down honoring Christ.

Thinking what they could do did not let me off the hook. I had to face my God, asking how can I begin, just begin, to honor you? Yes, I’m in “full-time Christian service.” That’s what my generation calls it. My days and some nights are spent doing things that I hope will point people with special needs, as well as others, to Christ and a deeper walk with Him. Sometimes this is hard, even frustrating work.

I am stricken by several words here. The first one that jumps out at me is joy. It’s my JOY to honor you in all I do. It is not my Task, a job forced on me. Sometimes it’s easy to joyfully honor Him. Then there are the more difficult situations, when choosing to have joy is not “a piece of cake.”

Joy is a heartfelt attitude – a choice we make, a willing obedience of the heart (the seat of our emotions.) I chose to joyfully honor Him. Simple? Yes. This is one of the hardest choices to maintain. Also, yes. Joy is not something we can put on and take off at will. We can only pretend for a time. Joy is a daily, even moment by moment, choice we make. The more we do it, the more apt it is to become a good habit.

We choose to live with joy in our hearts. One choice that can come from living joyfully may be a decision to honor Christ. Because of this song I feel the need to address the next word, HONOR. This requires action. It should show more than respect. Though sometimes these words can be used interchangeably, in the spiritual sense they are quite unique. I feel in this case it means to bring glory to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit who work together in our lives to influence our thoughts, words, and actions at any given moment. The fact that no one can fully honor Christ does not set us up to fail, nor does it give a reason not to try. It gives us a goal to work toward.

Paul expresses it well in Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” He was always pressing forward, never completely satisfied with his present level of living until he entered the presence of His Savior. I desire that level of commitment to my Savior.

Perhaps the hardest idea comes from a very small word. ALL! In the presentation of the gospel this word is good, hard to swallow, but all inclusive. All have sinned. Ouch! All are invited to receive salvation thru Christ. Great. All who believe and receive have everlasting life. Wonderful! God’s love is open to ALL. Fabulous.

However in the context of this chorus it seems almost impossible to achieve this all. In ALL I do I honor you. I don’t know about you, but I know my life is far from Christ-honoring all too often. How can I correct this? I want to sing and really mean these words: “It’s my joy to honor you. In all I do I honor you.”

Please Father let me learn, desire, and move forward in my desire to honor you in all I do. When I fail or falter, and I know I will, allow me to feel your loving, forgiving arms encouraging me to “press on.”

Amazing love, how can it be?
that you, my king. would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
its my joy to honor you
Amazing love how can it be?
that my king would die for me
Amazing love I know it's true
its my joy to honor you
in all I do
I honor you.

The Health Care Professional

A group of around twenty of us had just arrived in Cuba from around the United Sates representing Joni and Friends/Wheels for the World. We were preparing to go through customs. I had been granted a “religious visa,” while the rest of the group were “tourists.” (That visa allowed me to mention God inside local churches.)

Dawn was my traveling companion / “helper as needed”. This was her first time in Cuba. We completed our paperwork and got in line. Since she was helping we were, more or less, allowed to approach the desk together. I presented my papers and passport, was asked a few questions, reminded that my visa allowed me to speak of God IN a church, and then moved forward a bit – but not out of hearing.

Moments later Dawn was being questioned. She was sternly warned that she was a tourist and could NOT speak about God anywhere. Meekly she responded that she fully understood. She was asked – as each of us were – what her profession was. Without any hesitation she replied, “I’m a licensed massage therapist.” The gentleman stared at her with a look somewhere between shock and “Wow, how much do you charge?”

Under my breath I whispered “HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.” She repeated “Sir, I’m a health care professional.” Her papers were stamped and soon we were on the bus waiting for the rest of our team.

On the bus I explained, “He thought you were a hooker!” Both of us laughed, her face turned every shade of red. Imagine what was going through that gentleman’s mind. A religious person being helped by a plain clothes prostitute!!

You never know what to expect, do you?

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

2009-08-11T18:19:00.001-07:00

I was saddened to learn that Eunice Kennedy Shriver died today, August 11, 2009. I chose to write a paper on Mrs. Shriver for my biblical leadership class, and it is one of my favorite papers. I learned a lot. Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded the Special Olympics and opened the door for other disability issues. My research helped me discover an important part of history – disability history – that I needed to know. As I write in the paper, “I am thankful I took the time to learn about an important leader who opened doors for people like me. Even though I don’t have a mental disability, who knows where I would be without Shriver’s leadership and her determination to include people with disabilities in society.”

So in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s life and passion for people with disabilities, I post this paper for my reader’s enjoyment.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

July 10, 1920 – August 11, 2009

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was born to Joseph and Rose Kennedy on July 10, 1920 in Brookline, Massachusetts. She was one of nine children and grew up with high expectations. The Kennedy’s are one of the most influential families in the United States. For decades, they have been leaders in the military, state and national governments, and everything in between. One member even became the President the United States. Public service wasn’t encouraged in this family, it was expected.

Shriver learned how to compete by playing sports with her brothers She even beat them once in awhile. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from Stanford University in 1950. Later worked for the State Department and at a women’s penitentiary.

But her heart was back home in Boston. Shriver had an older sister named Rosemary. Rosemary had a special place in the family but never excelled in life like her brothers and sisters. Rosemary was retarded. Back in the 1920s families were encouraged to put these children in intuitions and forget about them. Not the Kennedy’s. “What can they do for her that her family can’t do better?” they used to say. “We will keep her home.”

Family life went on. Other children were born. The Kennedy’s public service moved forward including living a few years in England. Upon returning to the States, however, Rosemary was not making any progress and seemed to regress in her skills. After consulting with doctors and other professionals, Rosemary’s parents finally put her in an institution where she lived until her death in 2005.

Rosemary’s life touched her sister deeply. As Eunice started to research people with mental retardation, she was shocked at what she found. Not only were most “put away,” they were living in substandard conditions. In her article, “Hope for Retarded Children,” Mrs. Shriver writes:

I remember well one state institution we visited several years ago. There was an overpowering smell of urine from clothes and from the floors. I remember the retarded patients with nothing to do, standing, staring, grotesque ¾ like misshapen statues. I recall other institutions were several thousands adults and children were housed in bleak, overcrowded wards of 100 or more, living out their lives on a dead-end street, unloved, unwanted, some of them strapped in chairs like criminals. In the words of one expert, such unfortunate people are “sitting around in witless circles in medieval prisons.” This is all the more shocking because it is so unnecessary. Yet such institutions such as these still exist. (p.72)

A good leader will see a need and go about to fulfill it. Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s experiences with her sister Rosemary and touring institutions inspired her to bring people with mental retardation into the public’s eye. She ran the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation that raised awareness for mental retardation. Millions of dollars were spent on this cause, and word started to spread that people with mental retardation were a valuable part of society.

In the September 22, 1962 issue of The Saturday Evening post, Mrs. Shriver wrote an article about her sister’s disability and the hope for other kids with mental retardation. Shriver told stories about growing up with her sister, the current living standards for disabled people, and future hope for this population. The article gave a face to people with mental retardation and helped the pubic understand the needs of this group.

The article was published with President Kennedy’s blessings and opened doors for legislation and other disability awareness during the 1970s, 80s and 90s including the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975 and the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1991. Both were highly backed by Mrs. Shriver and her brother, Senator Ted Kennedy.

In 1962, Mrs. Shriver received a phone call from a mother whose son was mentally retarded. She was frantic because no one would take her son during the summer. Other organizations had programs for “normal” children but there was nothing for this child. Striver didn’t hesitate for a moment. “You don't have to talk about it anymore,” she said. “You come here a month from today. I'll start my own camp. No charge to go into the camp, but you have to get your kid here, and you have to come and pick your kid up.” (npr.org)

Camp Shriver was born. Children came and went through the years as they participated in games, obstacle courses, horseback riding, and swimming. Shriver organized the volunteers each summer and made sure each child was treated with dignity and respect.

Her son, Tim, recalls, “It took me a long time to realize that that wasn't normal. You know, to have a hundred or so young people with intellectual disabilities in your backyard wasn't a normal summer activity. But she was doing that because she went to those places and she saw the feted institutions. She saw the neglect. She saw people sitting there, and she knew they were young people.” (News Hour)

People couldn’t believe it. It was a widely held view that retarded people couldn’t think and therefore didn’t need exercise. But it worked. Every year more and more children came to the camp. They had fun. They grew. Mrs. Shriver proved everyone wrong – people with mental retardation did have something to offer.

By mid 1960s, camps were opening across the country. In 1968, one of the biggest camps in Chicago put on an event at Solder’s Field to showcase its athletes. The organizers contacted the Joseph P Kennedy Jr. Foundation to see if it could help fund the event. Eunice Kennedy Shriver did one better. Why not hold an international competition and invite people from around the world?

Shriver opened the games by telling the athletes, "In ancient Rome, the gladiators went into the arena with these words on their lips: 'Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.' Let us begin the Olympics." (npr.org)

That first Olympics hosted one thousand athletes from twenty-six states and Canada competing in athletics, floor hockey and aquatics. It was a complete success. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who attended the First International Special Olympics Games that day, said to Shriver, “You know, Eunice, the world will never be the same after this.” (specialolympics.org)

Since those first games, the Special Olympics have grown to include 2.5 million athletes from more than 150 countries with a summer games and a winter games alternating each year. It is said that the sun never sets where an athlete isn’t training for the Special Olympics.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver is a true Visionary leader. She looked beyond the disabilities of some people and saw their abilities. She was ahead of her time. “To say that Mrs. Shriver almost single-handedly changed the way an entire world viewed people with mental retardation would be not far off the mark.” (Stossel, P. 659)

Being a Kennedy helped. Mrs. Shriver couldn’t have accomplished all she did without the support of her family and the positions they held. But more than that, Shriver loved her sister, Rosemary. "I had enormous affection for Rosie," Shriver says. "If I [had] never met Rosemary, never known anything about handicapped children, how would I have ever found out? Because nobody accepted them anyplace." (npr.org)

A personal note. I guess I had heard that a member of the Kennedy family founded the Special Olympics, but beyond that I knew nothing about the founder or the organization. I know people who are Special Olympics volunteers, but I never had much interest in it myself. Studying Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her leadership has opened my eyes and taught me a history I didn’t know.

As someone with a disability, I am thankful I took the time to learn about an important leader who opened doors for people like me. Even though I don’t have a mental disability, who knows where I would be without Shriver’s leadership and her determination to include people with disabilities in society.

This study has also been helpful as I continue my work in disability ministry. I discovered the foundation of the disability movement, and I will be able to build on it as I lead Mephibosheth Ministry in the coming years.

Word count: 1388

Bibliography

Borek, David, Danny Lovett, and Elmer Towns. The Good Book on Leadership, Nashville:

Broadman & Holman, 2005.

Dinn, Sheila. Hearts of Gold: A celebration of Special Olympics and Its Heroes, Woodridge:

Blackbirch Press, Inc: 1996.

“Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy.” NPR.com. 207. National Public Radio. 5 April 2007. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9136962

Leamer, Laurence. The Kennedy Women: The Saga of an American Family, New York:

Villard Books: 1994.

Shapiro, Joseph P. No Pity, New York: Times Books, 1993.

Shriver Kennedy, Eunice. “Hope For Retarded Children” Saturday Evening Post September 22, 1962: 71-78.

Shriver, Tim. Interview. Online News Hour. 12 July 2006 http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/sports/july-dec06/shriver_07-12.html.

Stossel, Scott. Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver, Washington: Smithonian Books:

2004.

About Mephibosheth Ministry

2009-05-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

About Mephibosheth Ministry

Presenting God’s word and His love to people who face

physical and mental disabilities worldwide

Mephibosheth was founded in 1992 by two friends, Mary Jane Ponten and John Nix. Mary Jane and John discovered that churches didn’t often include people with disabilities in its programs. They wanted to educate churches that people with disabilities can be great assets to their congregations. The ministry has done many things including writing and distributing Bible studies for people with mental challenges, traveling with Joni and Friends and its Wheels for the World outreach, and establishing a growing outreach to the peoples of Ghana.

Tait Berge has known Mary Jane for over thirty years. When he received his call to full-time ministry, he knew he had to talk to Mary Jane. After years of discussion and prayer, Mary Jane invited Tait to come to be a part of the ministry first as a ministry associate, and then as associate director in charge of church relations.

The mission of the church relations department is:

To encourage the Body of Christ to not only accept but also to use

people with disabilities’ gifts and talents.

The vision of the church relations department is:

To see that people with disabilities are not only attending, but also participating and serving Jesus Christ within their local church and/or other Christian organizations

We do this by:

Providing disabled etiquette training

Working with people with disabilities and their churches to find a place where they might serve.

Problem solving

Mephibosheth Ministry is registered as a 501C3 in the state of Colorado. Please take a moment and read through our twenty most asked questions.

For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, form one body, so it is with Christ

1 Corinthians 12:12

About Tait and Mephibosheth Ministry

2009-05-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

Tait is the associate director of Mephibosheth Ministry in charge of church relations. He holds an Associates of Arts degree in journalism (1998) and a Bachelor in Leadership and Ethics (2009). He has written two books and published many articles.

Tait has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. His speech is sometimes difficult to understand, but most people are able to pick it up in a matter of minutes after meeting him. If you just slow down your brain and allow your mind to process what Tait is saying you will find it a bit easier to understand him. It’s similar to listening to someone with an accent. Just take your time and let your mind do the work. If you still have questions, feel free to ask.

Tait’s family attended Calvary United Methodist where Tait participated in Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and youth group. He was confirmed in 1988. After Tait began to live on his own, he joined First United Methodist Church where he was a member for many years. He gave himself to full Christian service in 1998 and served as a teacher, Stephen Minister, and a member of the Board of Trustees. God called Tait away from FUMC in 2005 and planted him at International Anglican Church where he continues to serve as reader and operating the PowerPoint presentations for services on Sunday mornings.

Tait never believed he would be working with people with disabilities. “I used to run away whenever I saw someone with a disability,” he says. “I didn’t want to be associated with that group. I was so much better than them.” But God, as only God can, changed Tait’s heart and gave him a mission to connect people with disabilities to their local church.

“I am passionate that every person with a disability has the right to hear the gospel and be able to serve Jesus Christ. People want to serve rather than be served, and I want to encourage the church to use the gifts and talents of people with disabilities.

Tait is the associate director of Mephibosheth Ministry in charge of church relations. He is also a Ministry Associate of Joni and Friends.

Ministry Reports

2006-06-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

Overview of goals for personal ministry as well as Mephibosheth Ministry

Overall Goal:

I am blessed that Mary Jane Ponten has invited me into partnership with her to learn the operations of Mephibosheth Ministry and ultimately transition to the role of director. This is what I want to do. The direction of the overall vision of Mephibosheth, to present God’s Word and his love to people who face physical or mental challenges around the world, is becoming clearer as Mary Jane and I continue to talk. The future is bright for this ministry, and I’m excited to see where God will lead us.

History

I have known Mary Jane Ponten since the late 1970s. During the first ten years or so, I rarely saw her, but eventually we were meeting at least once a year at the Cerebral Palsy annual dinner. In 1992, Mary Jane and her friend John Nix started Mephibosheth Ministry, and I was happy for them. I was somewhat curious too, I guess, but thought little of it as I was just beginning my journey into adulthood.

In 1998, when I received my call to full time ministry with a focus on people with disabilities, one of the first persons I told was Mary Jane. I knew she had her ministry and was hopeful she would be willing to guide me as I looked for my niche. My background is writing, and I wanted to combine my writing skills and my experience of having a disability with my passion for Jesus Christ.

Mary Jane did summersaults when I told her I had given my life over to Christ, and I suspect that she started praying that day for a partnership between her and me. Even my mom realized from day one that I might have a place in the Mephibosheth family when she wondered out loud what the ministry’s future held.

During a friendly lunch one day, Mary Jane asked me if I would be interested in coming aboard as an associate of the ministry. The way she put it, I’d be like an independent contractor. I would have to raise my own funds and run my own projects, but I would have the backing of the ministry. Needless to say, I was listening!

Mary Jane officially invited me to join her ministry on May 2, 2003. During the last three years, I have faithfully represented the ministry as I continue to follow my calling. This has included participating in church and spiritual activities; being on the leadership team for Young Life’s Partners program (a club for teenagers with disabilities), continuing to grow my writing ministry by participating in online chats, attending conferences, and pursuing publishing opportunities, both traditional and self-publishing. I am also committed to improving my physical abilities by going to physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

Some concrete examples of my reaching out in ministry have included:

• Establishing a website, www.taitberge.com.
• Self-publishing a devotional book called Capernaum Moments.
• Writing for publications including the Quiet Hour and The Upper Room.
• Pubic speaking to church groups and businesses on raising awareness about people with disabilities.
• Mentoring young adults with disabilities.
• Becoming a board member of the Cerebral Palsy Association.
• Fundraising.

In April 2004, I had the opportunity to attend the Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities conference in Indianapolis, accompanied by my aide from the Independence Center. The experience taught me about fundraising, travel planning, getting around in a strange city without direct support, not to mention meeting people and learning at the conference itself.

During the conference, I had the opportunity to work with Mary Jane at our booth and worked alone for a few hours. What I remember most, however, is watching Mary Jane interact with people who stopped by the booth. Many were her friends, and I was blessed when she introduced me as the one God has chosen to lead the ministry some day. I felt like the young David who knew his destiny way before it ever happened. When I’ve had doubts about this partnership, I have come back to this scene in Indianapolis.

Moving Forward

With a complete trust that Jesus Christ will continue to do good works though Mephibosheth and me, I now want to turn to the future. I realize that God is always in charge and He always has the last word. I do believe, however, that I must prayerfully make plans for ministry and myself. With this in mind, I propose:

I. Affiliation with Mephibosheth

• Continue my education through Biblical studies and keep up to date with issues in the disability community.
• Learn the business aspect of this ministry.
• Continue to build up relationships and network with other leaders in disabled ministry. This includes seeking to become a Ministry Associate of Joni and Friends and attending the Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities conference in November 2006.
• Participate in an overseas mission trip.

II. Personal Goals for Ministry

My relationship with Jesus is the number one priority in my life. He made me, gave me dreams, and I must follow Him faithfully. I’m blessed to be able to come aside Mary Jane and have the support of Mephibosheth Ministry. At the same time, I still have a vision given by God. I’m excited to work with Him as He works out His plan through my life. I love Him more everyday and just want to complete the work He gave me to do. With that said, I present my vision for my life and ministry in the following ways:

• To continue my walk with Jesus through worship, prayer, study, small groups, and retreats.
• Maintain and improve my physical abilities through therapy and exercise.
• Continue to write and publish. This includes writing my book, Seeing Through Jesus’ Eyes, a Bible study designed to help the everyday Christians relate to people with disabilities.
• To meet and mentor people with disabilities.
• Develop a disabled ministry using postmodern principles as outlined by N,T. Wright, Brian McLaren, and the emergent community (www.emergentvillage.com).

I continue to pray that my goals are in line with the vision of Mephiboseth Ministry. I believe they are, and that excites me. May God use my partnership with Mephibosheth Ministry to accomplish great things for His Kingdom.

Tait Berge

test

2006-06-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

This is to test my blog.