Leadership That Looks Like All of Us: The Call for Inclusive Church Leadership

When you walk into a church, who do you see in leadership? Is it a diverse group of individuals—lay and ordained—who reflect the full body of Christ? Are disabled people included at the table where decisions are made? Or are they often just recipients of ministry rather than participants in leading it?

In the Episcopal Church, we proclaim the dignity of every human being. Yet, to truly live out that value, we must expand what leadership looks like—and who we invite into it.

Why Representation in Church Leadership Matters

Church leadership—whether on the vestry, in the altar guild, as a lector, or in ordained ministry—should reflect the community it serves. That includes people with disabilities.

When disabled people are welcomed into leadership roles, it sends a powerful message: you belong, and your voice matters. Representation not only disrupts ableist assumptions, it broadens the perspective and wisdom within the church.

A blind priest, a Deaf vestry member, a chronically ill Sunday school teacher—each brings a unique lived experience to the table. These experiences often lead to practical, inclusive solutions that make the church more accessible for everyone. When accessibility becomes a core part of leadership—not an afterthought—it transforms worship, ministry, and outreach for the better.

Leadership Rooted in Lived Experience

Disabled leaders bring more than just their resumes to the table—they bring lived insight.

Navigating a world that wasn’t designed for them, many disabled individuals become creative problem-solvers by necessity. Their experience shapes how they think about access, hospitality, community care, and inclusion. Whether it’s integrating ASL interpreters into liturgy, designing sensory-friendly services, or rethinking how we welcome newcomers, disabled leaders help the Church see what it might otherwise overlook.

When someone with a disability is part of the decision-making body, accessibility is built in from the start, not patched in later. That’s not just more efficient—it’s more faithful.

Challenging Stereotypes with Visibility

Far too often, people assume that disability means inability. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Disabled leadership challenges this stereotype by showing that people with disabilities are not only capable—they are essential. When disabled people serve as wardens, deacons, or acolytes, they model resilience, wisdom, and a profound understanding of interdependence. Their visibility educates the community by example: disability is not a limitation on spiritual gifts.

This visibility also inspires other disabled congregants to pursue their own callings, knowing the Church recognizes their leadership potential.

Empowering the Full Body of Christ

Our faith teaches us that every person is made in the image of God. Yet inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentional work.

Welcoming disabled people into leadership is one way the Church can live into its baptismal promises more fully. It says: your gifts matter. Your insight is needed. Your calling is valid.

When disabled people help lead a congregation, it leads to a deeper sense of community belonging. That belonging doesn’t just benefit the disabled person—it benefits the whole Church. It fosters empathy, encourages innovation, and creates a spiritual environment where all feel seen and valued.

Removing Barriers to Leadership

So how can churches make leadership more accessible?

• Focus on ability, not method. Can a candidate fulfill the spiritual and communal responsibilities of the role, even if they do it differently than others?
• Offer accommodations. This might mean using assistive technology, providing transportation, creating flexible meeting formats (like hybrid/Zoom options), or simply reimagining how tasks get done.
• Encourage mentorship. Create pathways for disabled individuals to discern their leadership potential with support, guidance, and faith formation.

Most importantly, churches must recognize that accessibility is not a “favor” or a “program”—it’s a value. And it starts at the top.

A Church That Reflects God’s Full Image

When we ensure our church leadership includes disabled people, we more fully reflect the kingdom of God—a kingdom where no one is excluded, where every gift is celebrated, and where all are called according to their ability and grace.

The Episcopal Church has long been a leader in inclusion. But true inclusion means creating space not just for disabled people to attend, but to lead. That’s how we move from welcome to belonging.

Let’s not just talk about inclusion. Let’s live it.