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Preparing the Heart of Your Church to Welcome All. How to have a Disability Awareness Sunday. Joni and Friends Mission Statement. To communicate the Gospel and equip Christ-honoring Churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disabilities. .
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Preparing the Heart of Your Church to Welcome All How to have a Disability Awareness Sunday
Joni and Friends Mission Statement To communicate the Gospel and equip Christ-honoring Churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disabilities.
Joni and Friends Church Relations We offer programs that equip churches, church leadership and volunteers for simple to advanced disability ministry and outreach.
Joni and Friends Ohio Through the Roof Academies are designed to help people interested in taking Disability Ministry into their churches. Our next TTRA is onAutism, ADD and ADHD: Inclusion in the Church on August 22 Xenia, Ohio
Joni and Friends Networking with Churches with Disability Ministry Church relationships help us to connect other churches looking for hands-on training opportunities with existing disability ministry programs.
Joni and Friends Disability Awareness Sunday A great way to start a Disability Ministry is to host a Disability Awareness Sunday!
Scriptures Luke 14:21b-23 "Go quickly into the streets.. Luke 14:12-14 " and you will be blessed."
? Why have a particular Sunday focused on people with disabilities?
Roof Breaking News ! It changes the heart of the congregation and prepares them for ministry with people affected by disabilities. 1.
Roof Breaking News ! Society’s preoccupation with performance has worked it’s way into today’s Church. Jesus displayed great compassion to people who generally experienced rejection from society. We are called to be imitators of Jesus Christ! 2.
Roof Breaking News ! As we intentionally highlight individuals affected by disabilities, we are publicly acknowledging that life at each stage is valuable, regardless of ability or disability. 3.
So where do I start ? Pray for God’s Heart and Guidance
Goals of Disability Ministry • Opens the church doors to welcome all • Integrates people with disabilities into the life • of the church and gives them the opportunity • to have active roles in serving God. • Enables the church to serve as a witness or • model to the community for meeting the needs • of people with disabilities spiritually, • physically, and socially.
Visit other church Disability Ministries • Go see what God is doing there. • To be in the midst of the people that God is calling you to serve. • To bring back ideas, resources and new relationships that will help support you as you begin this journey.
Contact Joni and Friends Disability Awareness Sundays are unique programs with each church. Joni and Friends can help you determine where your church should start.
Through the Roof Manual Step by Step guidelines for planning a Disability Ministry and a Disability Awareness Sunday.
Disabled by Design Scripture makes it clear that it’s not a mistake when someone is born with a disability. Psalm 139:13-16
For reasons God only knows He has chosen to permit some individuals to become disabled. Rom 8:28 tells us that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. James 1:33 says that suffering develops perseverance.
For reasons God only knows • A disability can have a part in cultivating spiritual maturity. • God can use a person’s disability to bring glory to Himself. John 9
Three Levels of Developing a Disability Ministry • Creating awareness • Becoming responsive • Outreach
The Rewards of Having a Disability Ministry • Church growth and blessing • from God • 2. Spiritual benefits to fellow church • members- heart stretching • 3. Outreach to families and the • community • 4. Our churches will look more like Jesus!
Keeping an eternal Perspective Matt 25:34-40 serving others=serving Jesus himself Phil 3:20-21 and 1Cor 15:42-44 HOPE We all have been given spiritual gifts to be made available for the good of others and for God's glory.
Getting Ready for a Disability Awareness Sunday:a. Establish your vision • Pray and ask God what His vision is for this ministry. • For today the focus will be a Buddy Program. • Pray for a name and a mission statement. • Use a mission statement with general goals. This will allow God to grow the ministry at His will and timing.
Getting Ready for a Disability Awareness Sunday:b. Be faithful in prayer • For the Church to see their need for all people to be part of their church community. • for opportunities to serve. • for new volunteers, for the team and unity in vision. • for your church members to go into their communities and invite all to come.
Getting Ready for a Disability Awareness Sunday:c. Talk with Church Pastor, Leaders and staff • Share the benefits to the disability awareness team. Spiritual growth, serving and compassion. • Share benefits to those affected by disabilities to be part of this program. • Joni and Friends can come and train your church staff to gain awareness.
Getting Ready for a Disability Awareness Sunday:c. Talk with Church Pastor, Leaders and staff • Share vision and mission statement • Create a proposal for a Disability Awareness Sunday and share your calendar of steps towards preparation. • Share the "heart-stretching" benefits to the church members
Getting Ready for a Disability Awareness Sunday:d. Plan the Program • Set a date. • Set up the Program • Set up room reservations and food arrangements. • Pastor as speaker • Testimonies • Workshop leaders • Music
Getting Ready for a Disability Awareness Sunday:e. Doing your homework • Special Church Survey • Look at your church facility • Is your church “user friendly”. Ask a • wheelchair user to do a church walk through • 4. Five major areas of access. • Use Accessibility Checklist. • 5. Determine priorities and set goals • 6. Look at your community resources.
f.Recruiting Your Team 1.What kind of people are we looking for? 2.What will team members do? 3. How do I build a team? • Begin with prayer • Identify the target population • Define the purpose and goals • Recruit volunteers
Is this a one time event? or The introduction of a new ministry? g. To publicize or not?
h. Make church accessible Surveys and church accessible checklist will determine what physical things may need to be changed or modified as part of this program.
i. Have a Photographer or Videographer capture the day! Photos of the event can capture the heart of the day, and, the new heart of your Church towards people affected by disabilities.
j. Sign up Table • Have a sign up table for people interested in assisting the outreach to people affected by disabilities. • To keep the momentum going have an interest meeting scheduled to invite the volunteers to.
