‘When weak, then strong – Disability in the life of the Church

By Faith Bowers

ISBN: 978-0-9530341-2-3

Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, for BUild, 2008

£10.00

Reviewer: Chris How
(Review published in the Baptist Times of December 25, 2008 / January 1, 2009.)

‘WHEN weak, then strong’ is an amazing insight into the world of disability and how the Church faces this often daunting but ultimately rewarding challenge. From the very start Faith Bowers is encouraging the Church to involve people with disabilities, especially those with learning disabilities, in the life of the Church.

In part one the format of the book may seem like a handbook on disability and how best to help, among others, those who have sight impairment, deafness, mobility issues, and learning disabilities. Bowers is also reminding us to be aware of hidden needs that are not so easily recognisable.

Part two, entitled Treat with Special Honour, focuses on those with learning difficulties. This challenged and moved me to re-evaluate the most important aspects of my Christian faith.

Bowers gives practical pointers about how the architecture of the Church may sometimes be at fault. Lack of access may also be felt from a social level as people keep their distance from others with conditions that they are not used to. As well as stating facts, Bowers issues us with a challenge to see these people as individuals and to break down the barriers. The humanisation of anyone with a disability is upheld by Bowers. A personal touch is brought to much of the book, which I find charming and moving. Bowers states that it is easy to be too eager with help and not do the right thing. The individual has to say what they want help with and how best this is to be provided. One example of this is lifting someone in a wheelchair in to Church because there is no lift. This is helpful of course but it may not be the most dignified of entrances for the individual.

The book’s main strength is that it contains personal stories of a triumphant faith over adversity which are truly heart-warming and genuine. The reality of the Gospel shines through. The love of God is accessible to all and especially those who are apparently ‘weak’. Through Christians with learning disabilities the faith returns to its most organic, a childlike acceptance of Jesus, which is something which we can all learn from. ‘Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven’ (Matt 18:3).

One crucial theological point was made by Bowers at the end. Once when she was at a Baptist Assembly, Bowers saw a re-enactment of the Passion performed by a group with learning disabilities. Philip, the person with Down’s Syndrome playing the part of Jesus, although he ‘could hardly understand the theology of atonement…had grasped the enormity and agony involved’ (p178). ‘Christ had taken on the whole human condition, disability included’ (p179).

This book is a heart-stirring gem. For any Christian it will challenge them to see their faith in a new light, and make them realise, ‘My grace is all you need; My power is most fully seen in weakness.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9) This enables us all to say ‘for when I am weak, then I am strong.’ (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Christopher How is a graduate in theology and has cerebral palsy

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