Deaf Ministry Diagnostics
We recently received a question about how to revive a shrinking ministry. You may find our response useful in starting or reviving sign language ministries in your community or congregation.
What is the goal, who is the teacher (hearing or deaf), and who are the students (hearing, deaf, parents of deaf)? What is the style of teaching? Written materials, lecture, topic discussion, or questions & answers? Is it expert/student or exploring together? Are you seeking to teach the language, or seeking to use the language to teach scripture? Are you making use of ASL/video faith resources available, such as the Deaf Bible app or Dr. Wonder’s Workshop?
Many young people will sign up for sign language as a fun diversion, then just as quickly move away from it. Deaf folks may join a study group, but if they’re not freely communicating with everyone present then they too will move away (i.e., some audio conversations occurring and/or overriding the signed conversations). Hearing parents of deaf children will want to learn the language to communicate with their children, but pacing and other necessary activities may cause them to lose their commitment to your group.
Clarifying your goals and audience will also help with marketing, and word choices will be important. As an example, Deaf-led Bible Study carries a positive message, while Bible Study for the Deaf waves a red flag of patronizing/oppression. Consider inviting deaf friends to join you in setting up signing socials with the goal of bringing ASL to families of deaf children. In this, all would commit to not using their voices, and the theme of the evening would revolve around a vocabulary set – like “things in the kitchen” or movies or “what you see at the zoo.” Deaf folks are the teachers, the learning is organic, children see role models, and parents see that deafness is a community, not a curse. You may also find that students from local high schools or colleges learning ASL would be anxious to participate in such events. Be sure they’re present to practice, not to usurp any teaching the deaf community may be providing.
No matter how our hearts long to bring hearing and deaf together, or bring deaf people to a vibrant understanding of Jesus and our Christian faith, success comes down to the motivation (or perceived motivation) of the leadership, the motivation of participants, and the style/structure of learning. Community participation and storytelling are huge in deaf culture, where lecture and paper are just another environment to cope in. We can inadvertently present ourselves as experts and appear oppressive if we don’t intentionally make a way for deaf members to contribute in ways meaningful for them — yet there’s a balance required to keep from seeming patronizing. It’s not easy.
We can schedule a visit any time for a short presentation as part of a Sunday service or something that includes several time frames and activities. We’ll need to know what your expectations are and have plenty of time to prepare to meet them. Becky Purkey (Becky@SilentBlessings.org) is our outreach coordinator, contact her to get started. If you call on a Monday, leave a message with Sylvia.
You may also find our publications useful. There’s Shattering the Silence, testimonies from the Deaf Community; and Building Deaf Ministries that Work, research and recommendations from Deaf ministry leaders. We also have a newly released app, God Loves Deaf Kids, available in the Apple Store and Google Play Store. We intend for it to grow in content for both children and parents, and there are many ways to use it creatively as a lesson support or discussion springboard.