In Part One of this blog series, we talked about the four types of events every disability ministry calendar needs. But you might be wondering, How will I fit everything in? Or Are we doing too much or too little?

Ministry calendar planning really is a balancing act. And before we talk specifics, let’s zoom out.

As you look at your blank calendar, close your eyes and think about just one family in your ministry. What do they need? What would make them feel seen, known, and loved?

Scripture reminds us that ministry is about building up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–12), not our own corner of it.

This is not my group, my church, or my people. It's His. Everything we do is for the glory of God alone (Ephesians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

That perspective should shape how we plan.

Impactful ministry flows from our heart for people and our desire to make Jesus known, not from a checklist. Calendars, structure, and programming matter. But they are simply tools, not the final destination.

Practical steps for planning your calendar

Here is a simple flow for planning a balanced ministry calendar:

Most importantly, begin with prayer.
Invite others into the planning process.
Review church-wide, school, community, and holiday calendars.
Identify who you are serving and what they need most.
Consider your budget, even if it is limited or informal.
Decide when your ministry year begins. (January, start of school, etc.)
Record all regular and confirmed programming.
Brainstorm additional events and ideas.
Make sure your final events are varied between the 4 levels (refresher below!)
Prioritize what matters most and pencil in dates
Balance large events and frequency of events so the calendar is sustainable for both volunteers and participants
Confirm dates with church leadership essential team members as needed
Finalize and publish the calendar

Once it is finalized, make a big deal about it! Build excitement about what is happening and how you are expectant for God to work!

A healthy ministry calendar includes all 4 event levels

Here's a quick review of the four levels we talked about last week:

When we look at our calendars, we should see all four levels represented throughout the year!

What if your church does not have a disability ministry calendar?

Not every church with a disability ministry runs its own events or programming. And that is okay!

In those cases, calendar planning looks a little different.

Instead of creating a separate ministry calendar, the focus becomes examining the church-wide calendar and asking questions about accessibility and inclusion.

As you look at your church's existing events and programs, consider:

How can this event be made more accessible for individuals with disabilities?
Are there sensory, communication, or physical barriers that could be addressed?
Do volunteers need additional training or preparation?
Are families aware of what supports are available?

Disability ministry is not always about adding more events. Often, it is about helping people belong and participate in what is already happening.

A final encouragement

Your ministry calendar should support the mission, not steal your joy. When planned with prayer, purpose, and people in mind, it becomes a powerful tool for welcoming families with disabilities.

Next week, we will continue this conversation and share practical event ideas that you could add to your ministry calendar this year!

Did you miss your free calendar download on last week’s blog? Grab it below!

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