North American Division of Seventh-Day Adventist: Disabilities Ministries

The Disability Awareness Sabbath is an informative and effective way of introducing ministry to people with disabilities within the church family. Just as we have “Senior Citizen Day,” “Youth Day,” or “Pathfinder Sabbath” as a means of giving emphasis to a particular people group; so, the Disabilities Awareness Sabbath focuses the attention on the specific issues involving individuals with disabilities. A general format for the awareness Sabbath is as follows:

SABBATH SCHOOL

The Disabilities Awareness Sabbath begins with the Sabbath School opening exercise program. After a short song service, welcome, and opening prayer, the remainder of the program consists of an informative panel discussion. Panel members are persons with disabilities, family members with disabled persons, or those with special interests. The facilitator asks questions of each one to bring out specific disability-related information. It is important that some of the panel participants be members of the local church when possible.

LESSON STUDY

There is no change from the regular Sabbath School lesson study classes unless the church desires to use this time for a seminar or disabilities awareness.

WORSHIP SERVICE

At most Disabilities Awareness Sabbaths one of the members of the Disabilities Ministries Team is invited to present a disability-related sermon. Of course, this is in accordance to the preference of the local pastor. It is beneficial to have people with disabilities participating in the worship service, i.e., scripture reading, prayers, special music, children’s story, etc.

DISABILITIES AWARENESS WORKSHOP

A two-hour Disabilities Awareness Workshop is held in the afternoon following the fellowship dinner or at the vesper time. This workshop is the heart of the Awareness Sabbath as time is given to explore in a practical way the “how to” of ministering to people with disabilities. Areas discussed are: how to deal with specific disabilities, architectural and attitudinal barriers, common misconceptions, and positive versus negative communication. Information is shared through lecture, audience participation, and role-playing.

The key to the Disabilities Awareness Sabbath is that all information be shared in a positive way, dispelling attitudes of pity and helplessness. Cheerful, productive, disabled people who portray themselves as talented, loving Christians sharing their God-given abilities are an asset to the program and can successfully encourage the church family toward Christ’s commission to take the gospel into all the world.

Including speakers from community disability-related agencies is also an effective way of sharing information.

Outlines, handouts, brochures, pamphlets, and videos may be obtained from the NAD Ministries Department at 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, telephone 301-680-6429 to aid in the construction of the Disabilities Awareness Sabbath.

CONCERT OR MUSICAL ACTIVITY

The day ends with a musical activity that consists of a featured concert singer/evangelist who has performed a number or two during the divine worship hour. Promotion of a concert usually draws a crowd that will also get to participate in the disabilities workshop.

VESPERS

A short vespers service concludes the Disabilities Awareness Day Program.