Developing a Theology of Disability for Inclusive Ministry in Nigerian Churches

Persons with disabilities in Nigerian Christian communities frequently face marginalisation, inadequate pastoral care, and physical exclusion from church participation. This study develops a contextualised theology of disability for inclusive ministry in Nigerian churches, integrating biblical theology, disability studies, and Nigerian socio-cultural perspectives on disability. A theological-professional development design was adopted, combining analysis of Old and New Testament passages on disability (including John 9, 2 Corinthians 12, and the Beatitudes) with interviews with 20 persons with disabilities who are church members, twelve pastors, and five disability advocacy professionals from churches in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu. The study critiques popular Nigerian theological interpretations that link disability to sin, divine punishment, or spiritual failure, and proposes a reframing grounded in the imago Dei, the incarnation, and the eschatological vision of inclusive community. Practical ministry development guidelines for inclusive worship design, accessible church facilities, disability-sensitive pastoral care, and congregation disability awareness training are developed from the theological framework. Expert review by disability theologians and church leaders confirmed the framework's theological coherence and contextual relevance. The study recommends that each Nigerian denominational body adopt this theology of disability as a pastoral formation standard and include it as a required module in all theological college programmes, with a phased physical accessibility improvement plan for church facilities.

Keywords: theology of disability, inclusive ministry, disability studies, Nigerian churches, pastoral care