Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

146 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEBOARD TO ADDRESS DISABILITY CONCERNSReport to 1995 Synod of Reformed Presbyterian Church of North AmericaThe Apostle Paul admonishes the Philippian Church to "do nothing fromselfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regardone another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for yourown personal interests, but also for the interests of others." With thischallenge in mind, our Board has spent the past year seeking ways to servethe interests of the physically and mentally challenged in our Church family,working mainly through the Advocates appointed in each Presbytery. OurAdvocates are highly qualified as resource persons for needs that might arisefrom individuals, their families or congregations.We have been greatly encouraged by the reports of the Advocates. Mosthave kept in touch with each congregation in the Presbytery, either by phoneor letter, encouraging and suppporting and updating our survey of disabledpersons.While the Board members work on such basics as policy, by-laws andbudgets, fund raising and newsletters, the Advocates are doing the personalministry. You will be interested in how they are being used and theirsuggestions for a deeper involvement on the part of each congregation. Hereare some of their comments:"I requested the name of one primary person to be acontact for communication in each congregation. There was apositive response from the local church representatives forassisting the disabled.""Disability Etiquette, a brochure on interacting with thedisabled, is most helpful in approaching people. I have sentapplicable material to each congregation."The need in our Presbytery is for people to be moresensitive to including families with disabled children in the socialinteraction. And the families with these children need to bemore open to instruct others how to care for their children togive them a break."Congregations seem to be most supportive and eager toaccomodate and offer help where needed. A need I observe isspecial classes and programs of specific interest for the disabled.Training in counseling for key individuals would be helpful..."One question several advocates asked is "What is the scopeof our involvement in the broad term "disabled"? Perhapsparameters could be outlined for this particular Board as to thetypes of disabilities or handicaps covered. I have been askednumerous questions regarding a variety of health issues."In response to this final question our Board is working out guidelines andclarification of their area of ministry. Likewise our Finance Committee issetting guidelines for use of the monies collected by the fund raising efforts.