Here are some additional reasons why Deaf ministry is so hard:
- Deaf people are invisible to most hearing people. Deaf people are just not on the radar of most hearing people. They know Deaf people exist, but they have given little or no thought to how very different their lives must be. Consequently they make false assumptions about how much access Deaf really have to the world. They ASSUME most parents of Deaf children will learn how to communicate in sign language. (The truth: 80% of Deaf kids grow up in families where sign language is not used in the home.) They ASSUME religious instruction is carried on by the parents or the churches, but we’ve already shared that this is really rare for Deaf kids.
- Hearing people believe that Deaf children can now be “cured” by cochlear implants and improvements in hearing aid technologies. This is NOT true. There is no “cure” for deafness. Indeed, the surgery required to implant the cochlear devices actually destroys any residual hearing the person may have. I’m going to address the cochlear implant in more depth in a future blog, but for now let me say I am NOT totally against these devices. They certainly have their place and they have been a blessing to many! But it is vital that you understand that the “hearing” offered by these devices is VERY different from what we would consider natural human hearing. The depth, the breadth, the power, the dynamic range, the rejection of unwanted sound elements — all of which the human ear working in tandem with the human brain can deliver — these elements are just not present for those who use the implants. There is NO “cure” for deafness and, despite what the surgeons will tell you, when a deaf child is forced to rely ONLY on the implants and is not permitted to learn and use sign language, that child is almost certainly destined to struggle more with language comprehension and is far more likely to live a lonely and socially isolated life than is a child who learns to sign at a young age.
- There is a real shortage of well trained ASL users in North American churches. Most church interpreters are poorly trained volunteers who may have a heart of gold, but do not have the skills needed to clearly communicate important spiritual truths in sign language. Others (and I know this is going to sound very harsh but it is far more prevalent than you would imagine) are motivated by the emotional kick they receive by being in such a conspicuous position of benevolent leadership to these “poor pitiful disabled people” and fail to exhibit the winsome spirit of true Christlike servanthood. Such people often turn off the Deaf who may attend for a short time. Even if they have excellent skills and a true servant’s heart, they may be thwarted by pastors, worship leaders, or others who see the addition of sign language as a complication and a detriment to the worship experience of the hearing majority. I could tell you stories that would curl your hair!!
- There is a lack of Deaf Christian leadership and a great need for more Deaf led churches. Just as English speaking hearing people can get so much more out of the experience worshiping in a congregation where nearly everyone can communicate freely in English, many Deaf people prefer to worship in a place where American Sign Language is the native language of the congregants. But Deaf churches (or separate Deaf worship services and small group opportunities) are still rare, and those that do exist are almost always found in larger communities — often towns with a residential Deaf school nearby. Thus, the most effective model for evangelism and discipleship for Deaf people is just unavailable to the vast majority of Deaf people in North America – especially Deaf kids.
These are the big challenges that make Deaf ministry so hard. Organizations like Silent Blessings Deaf Ministries are looking every day at ways we can help create new opportunities for Deaf people to come into life changing encounter with the precious Son of God. We have some exciting initiatives that are making a difference right now! And with your help we can do even more.
Blessings!
Thank you for sharing this information, it will help us to keep working with the mexican deaf children of Reynosa. We see that it is very hard to teach and disciple this children and teens, but we have a God that loves them and is using us to make himself known, who also is raising servan-leaders from this children.
I ‘volunteer’ help with interpreting message and worship at church. I love it. Sign language is beautiful expressive language. I joined deaf bible study group. I am not certified. I have( and continue) to take classes at deaf center… I would love to take deaf studies and interpreting courses- and become certified, but its very expensive- I would appreciate prayer and guideance- I believe God gave me dream/ desire to sign and helping in church… God bless
Bev, did anyone ever answer your message? I have some ideas, if not.
Cynthia
I am taking american sign language in Valencia College, to become an interpreter in my church, my pastor is willing to work with me to bring that to our church. Please tell me how to get started resources that I could use or places I could visit to help get this ministry started, continued and established in our congregation.
Please tell me how to get resources that I could use or places I could visit to help get a ministry started, continued and established in our congregation. I have come from a church who had about 15 people to minister in sign. Also not certified. Started this new church and they “like my gift,” but aren’t making any effort to assist in getting the word out there. What can I do to spread the word. Thank you very much.
Brenda,
In order to answer your question I’d need more information on your background, training, the challenges you’re facing in the work — just need a better picture so we can give you helpful and practical suggestions. Feel free to email us at friends@silentblessings.org.
Marshall
I am a 46 year old CODA male. I did not speak until 4 years old but I learned ASL as an infant. I teach “Sing-Sign” at my church as a tool for “hearing” worship by mixing sign and verbal singing. This is part of the process of preparing the church before pursuing this type of ministry.
I have on my heart to pursue some form of Deaf ministry but I am committed to preparing myself first before this effort. I have a new focus for achieving this goal.
I plan to focus on CODAs because they are often over looked and I have that CODA connection as well. CODAS are another component of the unreached population much like the Deaf. Also I see by reaching CODAs that this will result with family reconciliation and reach the Deaf on a much more personal level. A CODA ministry is a powerful tool for drawing the Deaf into community and family. There are at least 2-4 times as many CODAs to Deaf in the USA and I personally believe that they are an underutilized resource for this type of ministry. CODAs have much more than communication skills because they understand Deaf cultural issues as well. CODAs are meant to be in community with the Deaf because they were created this way.
I think I am interested in learning ASL, especially as a means of reaching the lost. I did *not* know that Deaf people are the most unreached people in North America in regards to linguistics. What is your recommendation for getting started? Thanks and God bless.
“Whatever God finds your hands to do, do with all your might!”
Thank you so much for your blog about Deaf MInistry being hard. I can attest to the this statement being true. I began working with Deaf people around 1986 and went into full-time ministry with the Deaf in 2002. One thing that I have learned over the years is the Deaf can reach the Deaf better than the Hearing people can. I found it is better to train the Deaf and empower them to teach and evangelize their peers. As a hearing person, depending on one’s background, they will be or will not be accepted into the Deaf community. I have found that over the years, (I have a BS in Deaf Education and I am RID certified interpreter for the DEAF -CI, CT), interpreted church services do not meet the needs of the Deaf. Many times they have questions about what the Pastor is saying and the interpreter cannot stop and ask the pastor during his sermon or give them an answer; the interpreter – no matter how good they are- misses key concepts; the pastor could be speaking too fast and therefore the interpreter must sign quickly and often times it looks like hands flying and not conveying the content the pastor is saying; as well as hearing church can be boring and not very social if only a few Deaf people are going. Another good reason to teach and empower the Deaf to lead Deaf fellowship meetings is that it meets the needs of the Deaf. Deaf people learn differently than hearing people do. They learn in a story fashion. They need all the details of who, what, when, where, and how. The majority of the Deaf people also tend to have lower reading skills and therefore cannot read the Bible with much comprehension. D.O.O.R. International is working on Visual Deaf Bibles in many languages around the world. You can go to http://www.deafbibles.com to view some of their work. It is done in CBS (Chronological Bible Storying) so that they get the full big picture of the Scriptures. They also provide a Deaf commentary for Deaf leaders and there is a lot of information about Deaf leading Deaf fellowships on the DOOR website, http://www.doorinternational.com. Thanks for getting the word out! With the Deaf population being so big and so overlooked, we definitely have a lot of work to do so that they too can ‘HEAR’ the Gospel. God bless you!!!
Kathy
I have volunteered in our church’s deaf ministry for several years. I have also interpreted Spanish/ ASL in Puerto Rico, and have substitute interpreted for the Kokomo school system. I would like to take at least a brush up course in ASL, and look into certification, although our resources are limited. Who could I contact?
I see the most important part of Deaf ministry at my church, is helping the pastor understand the culture and ways of the Deaf. Also to empower the Deaf to minister. Like it’s been said so often, the Deaf are fluent and know the culture. Let’s give them the tools they need and step out of their way.
For now, I am the volunteer song interpreter (with help from my Deaf friend) and we have a paid professional interpret the message. My job is the go-between and it’s not easy! The pastor thinks the Deaf can forget their past and everything would be fine! No! You might as well tell a Vietnam vet ignore the past. You might end up with your teeth knocked out! The Gospel to the Deaf is too important for me to give up! Even when I feel like it…
Thank you Deaf Missions for the ASL Bible!
Hi Mr. Lawrence. My name is Leo Yates. I am writing a book about deaf ministry. I would love to include parts of your blog article in the introductory chapter of the book. I’ll certainly cite you. Would it be okay?
Thanks,
Leo
Hi anyone,
There is a growing Christianity here in Salt Lake City, Utah. We are desperate for a deaf pastor to lead and brethren and sisters to congregate in a deaf church other than interpreted ‘hearing’ church. Can anyone help?
Thank you – Layne
Hello my name is Inez Hamilton I live here in San Antonio, Texas. I am a college student in a University in which I am studying for my Master degree in Chaplain.The reason I am contacting you is because I am doing my thesis paper and the topic I have choosing is Deaf People Have A Right To Hear About God’s Word. And I am looking for any information in how I could bring more light into the importance for us to do our job in reaching them. If you can please help me with this I would really would very much grateful.
Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea
shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell
to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her
ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had
to tell someone!
Oh my! Well, it’s a lovely example of “life happens!” Thanks for sharing!