Deafchurch 21: Vision for a New Generation

Deafchurch 21

Vision for a New Generation

Bob Ayres and Rick McClain

A&M Publishing

Louisville, Kentucky

ISBN (Print Edition): 978-1-54397-959-6

ISBN (eBook Edition): 978-1-54397-960-2

© 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

DEAFCHURCH 21: Vision for a New Generation

Deaf churches and ministries today face a crisis in reaching Deaf and hard of hearing young people. As the end of the twentieth century approached, we stood at the brink of a dispersed and completely secularized Deaf culture. The influence and impact of the Christian faith—any religious belief system for that matter—had been greatly diminished. Fortunately, this is not the end of the story.

With the advent of the twenty-first century, a renewed, growing spirit of spirituality and unity spread across the Deaf community, particularly among youth and young adults, that resulted in what could be described as a revival like one not seen in decades. The question in this book is presented and addressed: what are the essential principles for ministry with and to this next generation?

We live in a highly secularized and urbanized society that is both divided and united by media and technology. In DEAFCHURCH 21, challenges, essential values, and a Declaration to the Deaf Church—the result of a think-tank on this topic—is presented and expanded upon by Dr. Bob Ayres, author of Deaf Diaspora: The Third Wave of Deaf Ministry and founder of Deaf Teen Quest with essential insights from Dr. Rick McClain, a nationally renowned Deaf scholar, pastor, and educator. We invite you to join us in considering this challenge: How shall Deaf Churches and Ministries best move forward in the context of a highly secularized society?

Learn more at www.bobayres.com

What others are saying about

DEAFCHURCH 21: Vision for a New Generation

Jesus used sign language to reach people who were deaf to the gospel. He changed water to wine, fed the multitudes, and raised the dead to life. In DEAFCHURCH 21, Drs. Ayres and McClain explore the meaning of signing the gospel in the secular age. We hear first from those whose passion is to love the Deaf community with the good news of Jesus Christ. We are given a seat at the table for a lively discussion on the issues facing an effective and faithful ministry to the Deaf world. The authors face the challenges with honesty and hope, and develop a dynamic theology of ministry that takes the example of Jesus and the early church seriously. When Jesus said, Whoever has ears, let them hear, he wasn’t talking about sound waves; he was talking about the gospel. DEAFCHURCH 21 is a clarion call to wisdom and to action.

Dr. Doug Webster

Professor, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

Have you ever been pulled into a social media conversational thread because…well, you couldn’t resist? That’s the sense I had as I began reading DEAFCHURCH 21. The authenticity of the dialogue reminded me of how attracted I am to people who ‘keep it real’ – and how certain I am that faithful pointing to Jesus Christ in a world gone wacky may have more to do with our posture than our proclamations. Deaf believers are legitimately a distinct culture. This book’s discussion is a gift from marginalized brothers and sisters in Christ that can encourage us all.

Dr. Dave Rahn

Sr. Ministry Advisor, Youth For Christ USA

DEAFCHURCH 21: Vision for a New Generation explores both the Missio and Communio components of ministry with, for and by persons who are Deaf. Embracing the contemporary challenges of our intensely secularized society, the authors have provided a resource for current and future pastoral workers in Deaf ministry to explore and reflect on how to best support Deaf persons through their spiritual faith journeys, both in our own faith traditions and collaboratively from an interfaith perspective. A must read for those called to leadership in the Deaf Church. An inspiring invitation to encounter and accompany!

Mary O’Meara, Executive Director

Department of Special Needs Ministry, Archdiocese of Washington, DC

Drs. Ayres and McClain have written a must-read primer for anyone considering the Deaf Ministry. As a Deaf educator who teaches ASL and Deaf Culture at the University level and has been part of the Deaf ministries in different denominations, I agree that ‘the sacred assembly across the ages has been one of helping to recognize, and even helping to usher in, the Kingdom of God.’ And see this quote as a metaphor of how it’s necessary for Deaf ministry to come together to partake in a spiritual quest to find God. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to educate themselves on Deaf ministry priorities and challenges.

Stephen J. Hardy, II,

ASL Lecturer at the University of Florida

The most successful Deaf Churches/Ministries, for decades, have been generational churches, often not affecting the generation prior nor just after their own. Historically, as congregational members age and die—so does the work. DEAFCHURCH 21: Vision for a New Generation both academically and spiritually recognizes, addresses, and challenges these well-worn trends. The text is a clarion call for young Deaf men and women who are born again and led by the Spirit to respond to the Spirit’s wooing to reach beyond generational margins into the Deaf Community with the purity of Christ’s message of hope and healing. This is definitely a good read for all and worthy of use in academic settings.

Dr. JoAnn L. Smith,

Director, University of Valley Forge Deaf Ministry Program

Much like a trip to my local optometrist, DEAFCHURCH 21 thoughtfully and boldly adjusted the lens of my soul to see with clarity the issues and opportunities that face the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities across our country. I felt a deepening conviction, even as the power of the transformational message of Christ was amplified. This is a call to action: One that the church of Jesus Christ must honor. While the lens of my soul is now calibrated to see the problem in a fresh way, so is the clarity of hope that comes when followers of Jesus live into their calling.

Dan Wolgemuth

President/CEO, Youth For Christ USA

Grounded in strong scriptural understanding and sound theological doctrine (both provide a firm foundation for ministry) and infused with real-life examples directly from online and face-to-face focus groups, DEAFCHURCH 21: Vision for a New Generation presents a blueprint for successful Deaf ministry. Ayres and McClain tell this story as only people experienced in cultural understanding and grounded in authentic faith can tell.

Ben A. Sharpton

novelist, educator, minister

Having been part of a variety of Deaf ministries and churches for roughly 30 years, I have witnessed the birth of some, joined some in the middle of their growth, and sadly, seen others end. This book resonated with my experiences of what works and what doesn’t. What Bob and Rick present here comes from sound wisdom and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The authors have reflected well our Lord’s desire for Deaf people of all backgrounds to come and know Him. This book is an excellent tool to spur deep reflection if you desire to form a Deaf Church in this century.

Harry Wood

Teacher, Trainer, Youth Leader

Unlike historic efforts in this area, the authors draw on Deaf voices, as well as experienced Deaf and hearing church leaders, to identify historic failures of such ministries. Courageously, the authors address historic issues of oppression, empowerment, and the need to embrace the marginalized. Their challenge is rooted firmly in Biblical truths for achieving God’s vision for Deaf Ekklesia. This text is an inspired Vision for a new Generation—must reading for anyone currently involved in Deaf ministry or thinking of setting up an outreach to members of the Deaf community.

Dr. Jan Humphrey

Educator, Ministry Leader, Certified Interpreter-Canada & US

Author of So You Want to Be an Interpreter

If you are looking for a prescriptive model for what a Deaf church should look like, you won’t find it here. What you will find are thought provoking discussions to stimulate further thought about the unique challenges and opportunities of Deaf churches. One sentence in the book sums it up: ‘The calling for the Deaf church is twofold: renewal of a faithful, biblical understanding of what it means to be the church in general and a specific commitment of the distinctiveness of a linguistic and cultural ministry to the Deaf community.

Terri Chapman, Director

SIL International Global Sign Languages Team

Whether you are in the ministry, an educator working with the Deaf, or are a Church historian, DEAFCHURCH 21 offers readers a unique perspective on the historical contributions of the Church that have almost been forgotten. The book superbly succeeds in highlighting the Church’s role in shaping today’s Deaf culture, their understanding of spirituality, and identity within society. By means of social media, the authors capture the current challenges Deaf individuals in the Deaf Church community face on a daily basis. Furthermore, the book’s structure allows for further thought and discussion at the end of each section and serves well as a course textbook.

Sharon M. DiFino, PhD, CCC-SLP

Clinical Assistant Professor, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UF

Students have touted Deaf Diaspora: The Third Wave of Deaf Ministry as one of the most influential books of their college studies. It is therefore thrilling to anticipate the effect this book will have on those in current and future ministry with Deaf people. It is a thorough and essential call to all who are involved with Deaf outreach, to keep the gospel of Christ central. The principles and values apply to both Deaf and Hearing Christians, and the collaborative effort to create a framework for application is a glorious glimpse of the Church carrying out Christ’s mission.

Alta Johnson, Adjunct Professor,

ASL and Deaf Culture, Moody Bible Institute

DEDICATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Dr. Rick McClain

To my wife of more than four decades, Deb

how she manages to keep me going when the embers of my passion run low… the breath of fresh air that reignites the flames of desire for education unto completion,

for my children, and my grandchildren. May this book be part of the legacy I am leaving with you; I pray that you’ll be encouraged and inspired to be your best in service to our King and Savior, Jesus Christ.

No man is an island unto himself, as John Donne wrote. No man ever accomplishes anything on his own efforts and abilities. I happily dedicate these efforts to several people. First, to my parents who have preceded me into their heavenly reward. They instilled within me a desire to excel, and to continue to grow. I wish they were alive today to see the fruit of their efforts and labor. To my sisters, Carol and Kathy; the earlier years brought much tribulation and difficulty. Living with me as the only son, and a Deaf one, could not have been easy. Their willingness to love and nurture me through the years has more than helped me become who I am today.

To all of my colleagues, friends and supporters: I have many to list, from the Seminary, to the Family Therapy community, to the faculty and staff at Beeson Divinity School, I give you my deepest appreciation for your encouragement and support. To Dr. Sharon and Rev. Ray Berry, who allowed me the resources and means to complete my doctorate. To the many people that were a part of my reading committee, their suggestions and editing skills were immeasurable. To my friends and colleagues at Deaf Teen Quest, Deaf Online University, Tri-State Deaf School of Theology, and to the staff at Deaf Missions – all of whom allowed me every opportunity to practice and constantly work to perfect the theories and perceptions we are dealing with today.

I am not an island. I am not finished, for I am constantly becoming, simply through the encouragement I receive from all of you. To God be the Glory, great things He has done, is doing, and continues to do in the future!

DEDICATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Dr. Bob Ayres

To my amazing wife, Kathryn Ayres, who walks alongside me in all of life’s ventures,

as we strive to faithfully serve the Lord together, including in co-founding together an amazing ministry for Deaf and Hard of Hearing teenagers

to my children and grandchildren for bringing us such delight and adventure

and to my colleagues and friends in Deaf Teen Quest,

and throughout Youth for Christ USA

who inspire and encourage me in so many ways.

All praise and honor are lifted up to our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ for revealing the fullness of our Triune God through his perfect life and atoning sacrifice. Through His grace and mercy, God brought Kathryn Casey Ayres into my life as friend, companion, advisor, and comforter in this journey of marriage we’ve shared for over four decades. This adventure includes wonderful children, Christina, David, Casey, John, Ana, and Robert (who is like a son), amazing grandchildren, and a wealth of great friendships.

There have been many key mentors and influences in my life including my siblings: Bert, Alan, and Joy. I wrote Real-Life Wisdom to tell about several of these influencers. My cloud of witnesses on earth is joined by others in heaven, including my father and mother, Boyd and Ruth, who taught me to value lifelong education as an expression of the abundant life. It is a privilege to have studied under many outstanding professors at Beeson Divinity School of Samford University. I am thankful in particular for Drs. Douglas Webster and Mark Searby who helped integrate my doctoral education into a practical framework. The insights provided related to my dissertation (upon which this book is based) by Mary O’Meara, Robert Rhoads, Mark Seeger, and Jack Miller are invaluable. I am grateful to Jennifer Milton-Houlton for her expertise and excellence in feedback and editing.

Last but not least, I am deeply indebted to those who served with Dr. McClain and me as part of the think-tank on this vital topic: Matthew Belwood, Noah Buchholz, Mary Beth Cantrell, Joe Dixon, Chad Entinger, Michael Gonzalez, Lamonte Grant, Stephen Hause, Todd Miller, Bruce Persons, and Marvella Sellers. I appreciate greatly Jessica Belwood, Dallas and Emily Brock, Kathy Ayres and my son David for working behind the scenes to make the praxis possible. These relationships affirm the African proverb, If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go with others.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Discovery and Hope

Background Information

CHAPTER I—Clarifying Issues

Being the Church

Advocacy and Audism

Theology and Creeds

Inclusion and Recovery

Digital World

21cDC Discussion Contributor Bios

CHAPTER II—Narrative of Hope

Courage

Calling

Mystery

Journey

Calling, Mystery, and Journey in Deaf Church

Incarnational, Transformational, Missional

CHAPTER III—Ministry in Context

A Legacy of Oppression

Value of Think-Tanks for Research

21cDC Think-Tank Process

Challenges and Barriers

Essential Values

Ministry Priorities

CHAPTER IV—Declarations and Call

DECLARATION TO THE DEAF CHURCH

CALL TO THE CHURCH

Christ-Centered

Biblically Faithful

Grace and Unity

Holy Spirit

Healing and Hope

Mercy and Justice

Share Jesus

CALL TO THE DEAF CHURCH

Freedom from Oppression

Healing and Restoration

Resist Oppression

Empowerment

Interactive Experience

Embrace the Marginalized

Equal Accessibility

CHAPTER V—Biblical Foundations

Redemptive Heritage

The Abrahamic Covenant

The Sacred Assembly

Holiness in the Kingdom of God