SPEAKING AND WORKSHOPS
Honest faith. Deeper belonging. Faithful change.
I speak with churches, clergy groups, ministry leaders, and faith-based organizations about disability, accessibility, progressive Christian faith, digital ministry, and the future of the church.
My goal is not simply to deliver information.
It is to help people ask better questions, notice who may be missing, and imagine communities shaped by grace, dignity, courage, and hope.
Who I Speak With
I work especially well with:
- congregations
- synods and denominational groups
- clergy and ministry teams
- church councils
- accessibility committees
- continuing-education gatherings
- retreats and conferences
- nonprofit and faith-based organizations
Sessions can be adapted for people who are beginning the conversation or for groups ready to move from good intentions toward practical change.
Speaking Topics
Accessibility is Theological
Accessibility is not an extra act of hospitality.
This session explores disability, belonging, worship, communication, leadership, and what changes when churches expect disabled people to be present from the beginning.
Best for: congregations, church councils, clergy groups, accessibility teams
From Accommodation to Belonging
What is the difference between making room for someone and building a community that assumes they already belong?
This practical workshop helps churches examine language, buildings, worship, digital participation, leadership, and congregational culture.
Best for: congregations, ministry teams, workshops, retreats
Rebuilding Faith After Certainty
Many people are not finished with faith.
They may be finished with fear, shame, rigid answers, or communities that leave no room for honest questions.
This session explores deconstruction, reconstruction, grace, doubt, and what faithful rebuilding can look like.
Best for: adult forums, retreats, clergy gatherings, spiritually curious groups
Artificial Intelligence, Digital Ministry, and Human Dignity
Technology can improve access, communication, and creativity.
It can also encourage speed, imitation, and misplaced trust.
This session helps churches and leaders think theologically and practically about artificial intelligence, digital ministry, accessibility, discernment, and what should remain deeply human.
Best for: clergy groups, church communicators, denominational gatherings, leadership teams
What a Session Can Include
Depending on the setting, a session may include:
- keynote presentation
- sermon or theological reflection
- workshop
- adult forum
- retreat session
- facilitated conversation
- leadership consultation
- online presentation
- question-and-response time
Topics can be adapted to fit the needs, size, and experience of the group.
Possible lengths include:
- 30–45 minute presentation
- 60–90 minute workshop
- half-day retreat
- multi-session event
- online gathering
How I Approach Speaking
I speak as a pastor, writer, disabled person, and practitioner.
That means I try to bring together:
- theological depth
- lived experience
- practical application
- honest questions
- accessible language
- room for conversation
- hope without denial
I do not assume that everyone in the room shares the same beliefs, experiences, politics, or level of church involvement.
My aim is to create a space where people can think seriously without being shamed, manipulated, or pushed toward easy conclusions.
Accessibility Commitments
Accessibility should shape the event before anyone arrives.
When possible, I will work with hosts to provide:
- accessible digital materials
- readable slides
- strong color contrast
- captions for online presentations
- copies of key information in advance
- spoken descriptions of essential visual content
- multiple ways to participate
- breaks during longer sessions
- clear communication about access needs
No event can anticipate every need perfectly, but access should never be treated as an afterthought.
Hosts are encouraged to ask participants about access needs during registration and to communicate openly about the venue, technology, transportation, seating, sensory environment, and available support.
About Travis
Travis Wilson is an ELCA pastor, writer, musician, and accessibility advocate.
He writes and speaks about honest faith, disability, belonging, progressive Christianity, digital ministry, and the future of the church.
As someone who is legally blind, he brings lived experience to conversations about accessibility and the difference between welcoming people into existing systems and creating communities where they are expected to belong.
His work is rooted in grace, pastoral presence, intellectual honesty, and the conviction that faith should lead toward greater love, dignity, justice, and hope.
Invite Travis to Speak
Every event begins with a conversation.
Please share what kind of gathering you are planning, who will be present, the topic you are considering, and any dates or format details already known.
I am available for both in-person and online events.