Full Text, New NCC Policy "The Churches and Disabilities"
New NCC Policy Adopted: "The Churches and Disabilities"
CHICAGO, Ill., Nov. 11 – The General Assembly of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. adopted a new policy statement, "Disabilities, the Body of Christ, and the Wholeness of Society," here Nov. 11. The policy says, "All human beings, including those among us with disabilities, are entitled to rights in church and society."
The policy was based on four theological principles:
"A life of dignity and respect includes such rights as access to education, health care, useful work, recreation, as well as the right to friendship, spiritual nurture, freedom and self-expression," says the NCC statement. "The rights of each person, including people with disabilities, are equal to and balanced by the rights of others."
"We believe the human community in all its forms is accountable to God to protect these civil and human rights," the NCC says. "God requires the church to give spiritual and moral leadership to society in protecting these rights. The church must exercise its leadership by its public preaching and teaching but even more by its example as an inclusive community of faith, using the gifts of all its members."
The Rev. Charles S. Miller of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America successfully amended the statement to clarify that human rights are not handed down by God. "Human rights are discerned by human beings through God’s gift of reason not a divine call," he said.
The NCC has affirmed "the dignity and worth of all people, including those of us with disabilities" on several occasions over the last 40 years. Most member communions of the NCC have issued similar statements "calling for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of church life." The purpose this new policy is for the NCC "to reaffirm and broaden its commitment to people with disabilities."
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