When I am Among Friends, I am Least Disabled: Friendship, Disability and Baptist Church Communities

Key Points

• This research aims to explore how friendships within Baptist church communities affect the engagement of individuals with disabilities.
• Qualitative interviews were conducted with members of Baptist church communities.
• Focus groups centered on experiences of friendship and disability within these groups.
• Narrative analysis was employed to evaluate the themes emerging from conversations.
• Participants expressed feeling less disabled in supportive friendships.
• Many highlighted the pastoral cycle as a useful framework for community engagement.
• The study suggests that strong friendship bonds lead to greater active participation in church life.