How to have a Disability Awareness Sunday

Preparing the Heart of Your Church to Welcome All

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 on Autism, 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."

Scriptures

Scriptures

Why have a particular Sunday focused on people with disabilities?

It changes the heart of the congregation and prepares them for ministry with people affected by disabilities.

Roof Breaking News !

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!

As we intentionally highlight individuals affected by

disabilities, we are publicly acknowledging

that life at each stage is valuable, regardless of ability or disability.

Roof Breaking News !

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.

Smart Pages – New Resource

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

Disabled by Design

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

1. Creating awareness2. Becoming responsive3. Outreach

The Rewards of Having a Disability Ministry

1. Church growth and blessing

from God2. Spiritual benefits to fellow

church members- heart stretching3. Outreach to families and the community4. 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

1. Special Church Survey2. Look at your church facility3. Is your church “user friendly”.

Ask a wheelchair user to do a church

walk through4. Five major areas of access. Use Accessibility Checklist.5. Determine priorities and set

goals6. 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

g. To publicize or not?

Is this a one time event? or

The introduction of a new ministry?

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.

A Children’s Through the Roof Program

A Children’s Through the Roof Program

A Children’s Through the Roof Program

A Children’s Through the Roof Program

A Children’s Through the Roof Program

A Children’s Through the Roof Program

A Children’s Through the Roof Program

Two Disability Awareness Programs for children ages 4-12

A Children’s Through the Roof Program

Ready for some Kingdom work?