Embracing Disability in the Church with Greg Harris

Embracing Disability in the Church | Presuming Competence, Belonging & the Body of Christ with Pastor Greg Harris    How can the Church become a place where people with disabilities are not just welcomed, but fully included, valued, and equipped to participate in the life of the body of Christ?    In this episode of Rekindled Faith, Melanie Beerda sits down with Pastor Greg Harris to discuss disability, discipleship, and what biblical inclusion looks like in the local church. Drawing from his experience as a father, pastor, and doctoral researcher, Greg shares how his understanding of disability has been shaped through raising a son with disabilities and studying the intersection of disability and discipleship.    Together, they explore the assumptions many of us make about cognitive ability, why we should presume competence when interacting with people with disabilities, and how churches can create spaces where every person is treated with dignity as an image-bearer of God. This conversation challenges listeners to rethink what it means to be the body of Christ and offers practical encouragement for building communities that reflect the heart of Jesus.    In This Episode: Greg's journey as a father of a child with disabilities  Presuming competence and respecting a person's internal life  How to engage meaningfully with people with disabilities  Why age-appropriate communication matters  Common misconceptions surrounding disability  What Scripture teaches about serving vulnerable people  The significance of 1 Corinthians 12 and the body of Christ  Creating churches where everyone can participate and belong  Embracing interruptions and diversity within worship gatherings  The work of the Lazarus Center and disability theology in Canada    About Greg Harris:  Greg joined the team at SouthRidge Fellowship Baptist Church in 2022 and became Lead Pastor in 2025. He has been married to Sarah since 2011, and together they have three children: Benjamin, Emily, and Oliver. Greg holds a Diploma in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts from Columbia Bible College, a Master of Divinity from Northwest Baptist College and Seminary, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Practical Theology at McMaster Divinity College. His research focuses on the intersection of disability and discipleship in the local church.    Resource mentioned: The Lazarus Centre  Website: https://www.thelazaruscentre.org Instagram: @thelazaruscentre    Connect with Greg:  Instagram @gregharris7    Connect with Rekindled Faith:  Instagram: @rekindledfaith    Connect with Melanie:  Website: melaniebeerda.ca Instagram @melanie.beerda