Hearing without Ears
1/ Be Opened (Mark 7:34-35)
And looking up to heaven,
[Jesus] sighed
and said to him,
“Ephphatha,”
that is, “Be opened.”
And his ears were opened,
his tongue was released,
and he spoke plainly.2/ Deaf Mission in Central Texas
I have a lot of stuff for you, and I hope to get a more normal Wednesday What-Not written in the next few days. But for today, a request, or an invitation, or, really, an ask…
I invite you to be part of a support network to expand Deaf Ministry in central Texas.
We are looking to build a support group of 50 families who pledge $100 a month to support the work of Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas, and her work with the Deaf in central Texas. (Of course, any amount is helpful.)
If you’d like to be part of this support network, click here.
(All donations go to Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, Austin, TX.)
Here’s the story…
God be praised that the word of the Lord continues to go out to every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Through the missionary and evangelistic work of His people and His church, the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
One unique mission of the church is to the Deaf.
Three years ago, I knew very little about Deaf ministry and had minimal exposure to Deaf culture (in fact, I didn’t even know there was something called Deaf culture), and I knew no sign language. And I was called to serve a Deaf congregation, Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church.
I’ve learned a few things. I’ve pick up some American Sign Language, and I can bumble through conversations, the liturgy and sermons (with help). I am fascinated with the work being done to create helpful signs for theological topics. (How do you sign “begotten” of the Son and “proceeding” for the Holy Spirit?) I am humbled at the kindness and joy I have found working with the Deaf congregation.
But Deaf Culture is unique, and presents a number of unique challenges. Very few Deaf people are Christian (some estimate 5%, others 3%, one of the lowest numbers of Christians in any group). Why?
A lot of people are thinking about that question. Here are my very non-expert thoughts and observations.
1/ Deaf children are often separated from their parents. Sometimes because they are sent to Deaf schools, most of the time because there is no shared language. Imagine your children were born only able to speak Chinese. It is difficult to pass down the faith through the family. Many hearing people are intimidated by the Deaf, so the Deaf are often isolated.
2/ Deaf Culture is very secular. Theological questions and conversations about God are often avoided. American Sign Language (ASL) is a very dynamic language, and doesn’t have its roots in the Christian tradition (like English, etc.). ASL is a non-written language. You cannot read ASL (and a Deaf person reading English is working in a second language), and memorizing presents unique challenges.
3/ Faith comes by hearing. The Deaf “hear” with their eyes. There is a different dynamic at work in the communication through sign. The ears are the eyes and the lips are the hands (and face and body). The opening versicles of Matins and Vespers are, for the Deaf, “O Lord, open Thou my hands, and my hands shall proclaim Thy praise.”
4/ Limited resources (especially workers) for the work. There are very few Deaf hymns. (Music and the Deaf is another very important topic.) There is a committee working to bring the historic liturgies into ASL. This is difficult work. There are only a few pastors and seminarians learning ASL. Most Deaf pastors are retired. Many Deaf congregations have closed and interpreted ministries have closed down. (Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church isone of the only Deaf churches in Texas.)
The internet, and especially video technology has been especially helpful for the Deaf. (Consider the difference between making a phone call and facetime.) These new communication technologies open up a number of opportunities to reach the Deaf with the preaching of Jesus.
In other words, the work is difficult, the workers are few, and the opportunities are many, which probably means that Jesus has us just where He wants us!
Our hopes are prayers are directed toward these goals:
Continue to be a faithful, Biblical, confessional, and liturgical Lutheran congregation for the Deaf community in Austin, TX.
Reach out to the community to baptize and teach as the Lord’s kingdom grows.
Develop Biblical, confessional, and liturgical resources for the Deaf.
Grow the community of theologically trained Deaf people, especially with an eye toward training Deaf men to be pastors.
Be an advocate for Deaf ministry in our region and beyond, especially helping congregations develop interpreting ministries.
Support and expand the training of pastors to serve the Deaf (thinking especially of the Church Interpreter Training Academy, and ASL courses at the seminaries).
How to accomplish this?
Well, we are hoping to start by calling an ASL-trained pastor to help me at both St Paul and Jesus Deaf. This will expand our capacity, and keep things moving along. And that is where you come in.
The support for this new pastor will be from three places: St Paul Lutheran Church, Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, and you, our mission support partners.
Thank you for your prayers! May God hear and answer them!
And thank you for your support. May God grant that His Word continues to be signed and seen to the saving of many.
Christ is Risen!
Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller
If you’d like to be part of this support network, click here.
(All donations go to Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, Austin, TX.)
