The Worst Day Of The Week

By Dr. Cleveland

I wrote this book to inform the Christian church that, as followers of Christ, we are called to extend his authentic love to all of humanity so that glory of God can be revealed through us. Every Sunday morning, people who are disabled wonder whether or not it is worth the effort for them to attend church and suffer exclusion and shame. This book provides Christians with a better understanding of how to welcome, include, embrace, and value those who are disabled those who possess the audacity to be in our midst.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr. Cleveland
• Release date: Nov 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781801280075

Book preview

Foreword

In the Christian church’s life and witness, one of the largest categories of unreached, underserved, and underutilized people groups is the category of those affected by disability. Consequently, the church is robbed of a tremendous opportunity to bless and to experience blessing. In his book The Worst Day of the Week: How Christian Faith Communities Can Transform Sunday Into the Best Day of the Week for People Affected by Disability, Cleveland Huntley equips the church in effectively understanding, appreciating, and engaging people affected by disability.

Through both theological reflection and careful research, Huntley dispels myths and corrects misconceptions about persons and families affected by disability. He further offers practical suggestions for including and empowering them in the life and mission of the church. I encourage all who care about ministering to those affected by disability to read this book. 

Bishop Claude R. Alexander Jr., Senior Pastor

The Park Church

Charlotte, NC

Epigraph

Then he turned to his host. ‘When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,’ he said, ‘do not invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you’ (Luke 14:12-14).

About the Author

Doctor Cleveland Huntley is a native of Monroe, NC. He is the son of the late Reverend Clarence and Kathleen Huntley. He is a graduate of Winchester Avenue School in Monroe, NC. He attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where he studied social studies.

He later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Montreat College; a Master of Ministry degree, summa cum laude, from Queen City Bible College; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Oxford Graduate School for his research on how the church can meet the needs of people with mental and physical disabilities. He has conducted further research on church hospitality at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Exercising his spiritual gifts under the leadership of Bishop Claude R. Alexander Jr., Cleveland currently serves as a licensed minister, co-chairman of the board of directors, chairman of the deacons' ministry, chairman of the risk management ministry, and certified lay counselor at The Park Church, Charlotte, NC.

In February 2004, Cleveland participated in a five-day mission trip to Kenya, East Africa. While in the city of Nakuru, Kenya, he preached for the Business Leaders’ luncheon and presented a lecture on church leadership to local Kenyan pastors and church leaders.

In 2020, Cleveland was elected to Joni and Friends North Carolina Ministry Development Board.

Cleveland is the author of two publications: Pastor Abuse (Master’s Thesis) and The Effectiveness of a Five-Week Disability Awareness Training Course for Ministry Representatives of The Park Church, Charlotte, NC (Doctoral Dissertation).

Professionally, he served 28 years as senior fire plans examiner and inspector for the Charlotte Fire Department before retiring in 2004. Currently, he is a fire protection/life safety specialist for Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation. 

Cleveland is married to Barbara Jean Huntley. They have one daughter, Sherille; a son-in-law, Twan; and three granddaughters, Jazmine, Tiffany, and Taylor.

Preface

One of the most frequently asked questions that people ask me today is, How can you, as one who is not directly affected by disability, be so passionate about those who are? My response is simple: Jesus was neither mentally nor physically disabled. Yet the Gospels declare that he demonstrated compassion upon people who were disabled. Jesus did not ignore them; he acknowledged their presence. And he took time to heal them so that the glory of God could be seen in the miracle.

I wrote this book to inform the Christian church that, as followers of Christ, we are called to extend his authentic love to all of humanity so that glory of God can be revealed through us. Every Sunday morning, people who are disabled wonder whether or not it is worth the effort for them to attend church and suffer exclusion and shame. This book provides Christians with a better understanding of how to welcome, include, embrace, and value those who are disabled—those who possess the audacity to be in our midst.

Contents

Dedication

Foreword

Epigraph

About the Author

Preface

Chapter 1-Introduction

Chapter 2-First Steps

Chapter 3- Changes the Church Needs to Make to Accommodate People with Disabilities

Chapter 4-Disability Etiquette

Chapter 5-The Misconception of Suffering

Chapter 6-Marriage–A Holy Union

Chapter 7-Follow Christ’s Model for Love

Chapter 8-Lead the Change in Mental Health Ministry........

Chapter 9-Conclusion

References

Page Left Blank Intentionally

Chapter 1

Introduction

For many people with disabilities, the church has been a ‘city on a hill’—physically inaccessible and socially inhospitable.

-Nancy L. Eiesland

On July 26, 2015, America celebrated the 25th anniversary of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Yet during this historic celebration, people affected by disability still struggled to overcome the church’s attitudinal and theological barriers that prevented them from gaining equal access to the love of Jesus.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became a law in 1990. It forbids discrimination against individuals who are disabled in areas such as jobs, transportation, and education among other areas. The law ensures that people with disabilities have access to the same opportunities as those who are not disabled. The ADA also protects individuals who are disabled and are discriminated against on the basis of color, sex, national origin, age, and religion.

It provides equal opportunity to individuals with disabilities in different walks of life such as employment, transportation, as well as government posts. The ADA is divided into five categories that are described below. In 2008, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) was signed into law and became effective on January 1, 2009. The ADAAA made many changes to the definition of disability. The changes in the definition apply to all the titles of the ADA.

Title I: Employment

Disabled individuals and equal employment

Employers must provide proper accommodations to those who are qualified. This will help individuals who are disabled to take part in the application process and share some of the responsibilities of the job role. This part of the law was regulated and enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Employers with 15 or more employees need to comply with this law.

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Title II: State and Local Government

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services

This act forbids discrimination against individuals with disabilities in different activities, programs, and public entities. This is applicable to all state and local governments as well as their departments and agencies. It makes clear the components of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for public transportation systems that are dependent on federal funds. It also prescribes the administrative steps that need to be taken. This is done in order to avoid any kind of injustice or discrimination and is enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Title III: Public Accommodations

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities

Under this act, private places that allow public accommodation are forbidden from discriminating against individuals who are disabled. Such places include private schools and hospitals, cinemas, as well as football stadiums.

This act establishes accessibility guidelines for new and existing facilities. It also requires facility owners to identify and mitigate physical barriers to accessibility when economically and physically feasible. Buildings built prior to 1990 do not have to comply with ADA unless they are being renovated or expanded. This title is regulated and enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Title IV: Telecommunications

This title demands telecommunications companies to provide a network of communication that allows individuals with disabilities to communicate effectively via telephones. It also demands that public service announcements have subtitles for people who are visually impaired. This title is regulated by the Federal Communication Commission.

Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions

This title examines state immunity, the impact on insurance providers, as well as the use of illicit drugs. At the same time, the heading clarifies what cannot be included under disability.

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The Failure of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted 25 years ago. The