Preporations for deaf ministry?

itsluke · #1 11th October 2009, 03:15 PM

I want to eventually go into a deaf ministry but I was wondering what I should do to prepare. I know I should learn ASL, but besides that, is their anything else? DO you guys know of any deaf ministries? Thanks

m1thrand1r · #2 23rd October 2009, 03:34 PM

I've been a chuch interpreter and taught sign language in churches over the years.

The best advice I can give you is to learn ASL. Then learn ASL. Then learn ASL some more. So many interpreters and deaf workers only learn enough to get by and think that somehow that's good enough. Don't fall into that trap.

Learn everything you can about deaf culture. They aren't just people who can't hear, they're an entire societal unit unto themselves with their own view of the world. The best way to learn their culture is to go where they are. Find a deaf bowling league. Go spend time in their world.

Grow a thick skin. You're going to make mistakes and be corrected. The deaf are notoriously blunt. They'll tell you straight out what they think about you, what you said, and what you're wearing. Learn to live with it.

Bathe it in prayer. It's a big commitment but it's also very, very rewarding. Stick with it.

J Rock · #3 19th November 2009, 08:52 AM

There is a church for the Deaf by me and they have a very impressive sound system that has a huge bass (boom-boom) that is pointed into the floor. They also use a lot of visuals like overhead projectors that flash a lot of images and text. The deaf are able to process more images than those of us with our hearing because they have had to.

Blessings