"And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..." (Eph. 4:11-12)
Fred is a Deaf member of a hearing church. One Sunday the pastor preaches on spiritual gifts and being the body of Christ, and he encourages all of the congregation members to get involved in the church in the way that God has gifted them. Fred approaches the pastor (with the church interpreter) to ask about how he can serve in the church.
Fred: Pastor, I'm excited to serve in the church. Where could I help? Is there need on the deacon board?
Pastor: I think all the spots are filled. What background and giftings do you have?
Fred: I have some background in teaching at the local Deaf school. Could I teach a Sunday school class?
Pastor: Unfortunately the interpreters aren't available during the Sunday school hour, so I don't think that would work.
Fred: I love helping others. Could I be an usher?
Pastor: Well, if a visitor had a question, I'm concerned that they wouldn't be able to ask you.
Fred: What about helping in the nursery?
Pastor: I think the moms might be worried that you wouldn't hear their babies crying.
Fred: Well, what else is left?
Pastor: Well, we do have some needs either in janitorial help or outdoor maintenance...
While this is a fictional account, unfortunately this mirrors the experience that many Deaf people have told us they have had in hearing churches. Deaf people may be gifted in teaching, in administration, in encouraging others, but given the language barrier between Deaf and hearing, often they are prevented from serving in these capacities. They end up with a mop or rake in their hand.
But not in a Deaf church. In a Deaf church (one where everyone signs), there is no limit as to where a Deaf person can serve. They can preach and teach. They can answer questions that a Deaf visitor may have. They can use their administrative skills to serve on an elder board. They can even serve in the nursery.
That is the goal of DOOR's 2x2 ministry: to raise up Deaf leaders and establish Deaf believers' fellowships, where Deaf believers can serve one another and use the gifts that God has given them. And there has been an amazing response. In India alone, DOOR's 2x2 ministry has grown from 6 Deaf believers to over 2,000 in the last 8 years.
In a Deaf fellowship, Deaf people become more than a ministry... they become ministers. Isn't that what God intended? "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in his generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Rom. 12:6-8)
What's been your experience?
Fred is a Deaf member of a hearing church. One Sunday the pastor preaches on spiritual gifts and being the body of Christ, and he encourages all of the congregation members to get involved in the church in the way that God has gifted them. Fred approaches the pastor (with the church interpreter) to ask about how he can serve in the church.
Fred: Pastor, I'm excited to serve in the church. Where could I help? Is there need on the deacon board?
Pastor: I think all the spots are filled. What background and giftings do you have?
Fred: I have some background in teaching at the local Deaf school. Could I teach a Sunday school class?
Pastor: Unfortunately the interpreters aren't available during the Sunday school hour, so I don't think that would work.
Fred: I love helping others. Could I be an usher?
Pastor: Well, if a visitor had a question, I'm concerned that they wouldn't be able to ask you.
Fred: What about helping in the nursery?
Pastor: I think the moms might be worried that you wouldn't hear their babies crying.
Fred: Well, what else is left?
Pastor: Well, we do have some needs either in janitorial help or outdoor maintenance...
While this is a fictional account, unfortunately this mirrors the experience that many Deaf people have told us they have had in hearing churches. Deaf people may be gifted in teaching, in administration, in encouraging others, but given the language barrier between Deaf and hearing, often they are prevented from serving in these capacities. They end up with a mop or rake in their hand.
But not in a Deaf church. In a Deaf church (one where everyone signs), there is no limit as to where a Deaf person can serve. They can preach and teach. They can answer questions that a Deaf visitor may have. They can use their administrative skills to serve on an elder board. They can even serve in the nursery.
That is the goal of DOOR's 2x2 ministry: to raise up Deaf leaders and establish Deaf believers' fellowships, where Deaf believers can serve one another and use the gifts that God has given them. And there has been an amazing response. In India alone, DOOR's 2x2 ministry has grown from 6 Deaf believers to over 2,000 in the last 8 years.
In a Deaf fellowship, Deaf people become more than a ministry... they become ministers. Isn't that what God intended? "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in his generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Rom. 12:6-8)
What's been your experience?
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