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Deaf Ministry
Ministry Models for Expanding the Kingdom of God

Sheila Yoder
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Deaf Ministry: Ministry Models for Expanding the Kingdom of God, by Leo Yates, Jr., (Create Space, 2015)​ ​



Opening paragraph
​In Deaf Ministry: Ministry Models for Expanding the Kingdom of God, Leo Yates offers a plethora of suggestions, examples and ideas, worth the investment for anyone engaged in or seriously considering any aspect of Deaf Ministry. ​
Page Content

​Deaf Ministry: Ministry Models for Expanding the Kingdom of God. Leo Yates, Jr. (Create Space, Inc., 2015).

 

Yates begins by introducing his readers to the term Deaf Ministry (Chapter 1). Here the writer presents the intricacies of the seemingly simply word deaf. He gives consideration to the terms hearing loss, Deaf Culture, Audism and American Sign Language to name a few. He also considers the meaning of the word ministry. He writes, “By virtue of our baptism, we are all ministers, in whom the apostle Peter shared with the Early Church, calling us a priesthood of all believers.” This definition will be especially appealing to those readers who, like this reviewer, identify with an Anabaptist denomination that values "priesthood of all believers" theology. 

The introductory chapter is then followed by the focus of the book, in the author’s words, “an overview of several common types of ministries.” Specifically, it provides the reader with individual chapter descriptions of seven Deaf Ministry models. Examples of these models include the Deaf Church, an Interpreted Ministry, a Multi-Culture Church, and a Deaf-blind Ministry. One caution for readers: As someone who has been involved with Deaf Ministries for over 30 years, I would describe the book as a thorough description, rather than an "overview." 

Each of the next seven chapters includes a description of a particular model, comments by the author, advantages and disadvantages of the model, a summary conclusion, case studies and questions for reflection. The remaining two chapters of the book provide an overview of disability ministry and suggestions for starting a Deaf Ministry. 

In addition to information, Yates offers the reader an unexpected and appreciated surprise in the Case Studies and Questions for Reflection. The case studies make for interesting reading after the somewhat dry lists detailing each model. Yates has carefully included examples from various denominations across the United States including Lutheran, Methodist, Assemblies, independent groups, and yes, even a Mennonite church.

The Questions for Reflection add a unique tool readers can use to evaluate and strengthen their own ministries. A few examples of the questions: “Where do you see Christ in the Deaf community? How might your church incorporate an interpreter? What hope can you share with those who are losing their hearing plus their vision? Are there any Deaf ministries in your community that your church can collaborate with and/or support?”

The attention to particulars and sheer amount of information may overwhelm some readers. These specifics are most evident in Chapter Three, “Overview of an Interpreted Ministry.” It includes details such as the "History of RID" [Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf], "Logistics for Interpreter Placement," "Interpreting in a Religious Setting Standard Practice Paper from RID," "Linguistic Expansion," and an "Example of Team Communication." These specific descriptions seem to assume the reader has knowledge of the interpreting profession, linguistics of English and of ASL (American Sign Language) – too much information for the average reader looking for an overview. 

Yates is uniquely qualified to share these details, however. He is certified as an interpreter through the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) having helped to write the Standard Practice Paper mentioned above. He also holds an MA in Divinity as well as an MA in Clinical Counseling. Last, he brings personal, life experiences to the topic having been raised as a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA). He is to be commended for providing readers with a single book in which to learn a great deal about these many ministry models.   

Purchase book from Amazon.​


Sheila 
Yoder is Deaf Ministries Coordinator for College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Ind.​

 In this issue

  • Healing the wounds of war
    Grace Mishler's experience as a blind person is an important part of her work in Vietnam, where she serves students and blind persons.
  • Thanks Christine! Welcome Denise!
    ​Denise Reesor is assuming the program director post that Christine Guth is vacating after ten years of serving ADN. They will work together through October.
  • Introducing Mark Pickens
    Mark Pickens joins the ADN team as Field Associate, ready to promote disability inclusion in Pennsylvania churches.
  • Church of the Brethren Annual Conference
    Brethren Annual Conference-goers with disabilities had Rebekah Flores working to make sure they could participate fully.
  • ADN Updates
    This issue's updates feature resources for inclusive youth ministry from The Gathering Place and ways to find ADN on social media.
  • Madness
    ​​Madness: American Protestant Responses to Mental Illness, by Heather Vacek (Baylor University Press, 2015). A book review by Christine Guth.
  • Becoming More Inclusive
    Slate Hill Mennonite Church near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, builds relationships with neighbors from a nearby group home.
  • Sparks of Redemptive Grace
    Sparks of Redemptive Grace: Seeking and Seeing God Amid a Loved One’s Mental Illness​, by Catherine P. Downing. Reviewed by Christine Guth.
 

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