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Why Deaf Church?

Why Deaf Church?  Let ask another question,  why do

  • Chinese have  Chinese Church,

  • Koreans have Korean Church,

  • migrants have Spanish-speaking Church,

  • foreign countries have English-speaking Church,

  • missionaries try to train natives to run their own affairs?

The obvious anwer is common cultural experience and language. True, every human being have the same biological and psychological need/urge for shelter, food, security and love. However, the way we express the needs varies and the difference in expression gives birth to cultural identity. Deaf Culture is one of many cultures in the world.

We believe there is one Christian culture, no doubt. But because of different cultural background and language, we express our faith differently. We express differently in many areas such as style of worship (visual), fellowship, style of preaching and evangelism. That's why we have Deaf Church by the Deaf reaching the Deaf Community.

Regardless of culture, we use one Book - the Word of God - and worship one God. We preach from the same Scripture - no Deaf God, no Deaf Gospel, no special set of beliefs, and no special or modified message.

Because the Deaf Church understand the unique cultural needs of the Deaf Community, we are in excellent position to reach and minister to them for Jesus. Deaf Church can be lead either by Deaf and Hearing leaders, however for hearing people to involve, one must be absorbed in Deaf culture and be quite fluent in sign language.

Currently in Australian Deaf Christianity, there are about four different models (5 to 7 models in USA. Click here to download US document). Each model serves different purpose, stage of growth and environment.

1. Interpreted Service/Ministry.

Hearing Church provides only interpreted service on Sunday. Mostly suitable to regional area where there are very few Deaf people. The interpreter takes the lead.

2. Sunday Worship Ministry.

As with 1, the Deaf meet for separate worship service on Sunday only. The Deaf conducts the worship service in their own cultural way.

3. Deaf Ministry.

As with 2 but with a full ministry including mid-week fellowship and prayer meeting. The Deaf takes the leadings under the oversight of a Hearing person nominated by the pastor of Hearing Church. Financial management looks after by the Hearing Church.

4. Independent Deaf Church.

A full-fledged Church governed and managed by the Deaf on the same par as any other cultural Church such as Chinese Church. Its leaders can be either Deaf or Hearing. Signs Church is one such  Church.

 

Without doubt, each of the model have pro and con, however the ultimate goal is the effective model of an independent Deaf Church. Here why!

  • the Deaf have a sense of ownership

  • the Deaf friendly and freedom to express Deaf Culture in godliness, free from being co-dependent on the hearing culture/community

  • the Deaf takes full responsibility of Church affairs including financial management and unhindered learning curve.

  • the Deaf Church provides greater visibility and exposure to the Deaf Community.

  • the Deaf parishioners become maturity through self-management and struggle.

  • the Deaf becomes maturity in duty and responsibility.

Signs Church have some more resource on Deaf Church issues or we can provide workshop on how to run a Deaf Church including legal, governance and management subject.  If you're interested, please send us an email

Definition:

Deaf Community:

A group of persons who share a common means of communication (sign language) that provides the basis for group cohesion and identity; a group of persons who share a common language (AUSLAN) and a common culture; those whose primary means of relating to the world is visual and who share a language that is visually received and gesturally produced.

AUSLAN:

Auslan is the Sign language of the Australian deaf community. It was recognised by the Australian government as a "community language other than English" and the preferred language of the deaf community.

Deaf Culture:

Culture develops from a group of people  with shared experience, language, common interests, shared norms of behaviour, and shared survival techniques coming together to form a community. Such groups as the deaf, seek each other out for social interaction and emotional support.

 

Resources:

Deaf Australia 

www.deafau.org.au

The Auslan Shop

www.auslanshop.com.au

Deaf World Ministries

http://deafworldministries.com