Deaf Ministry in Our Congregation and Beyond
Most of our Sunday worshippers have noticed that twice a month (on Communion Sundays) we are joined by a friendly group of deaf Christians that sits near the front where Colleen Cudo interprets the liturgy and sermon. This is the group which calls itself Deaf LaCrosse Lutheran. These brothers and sisters in Christ also meet with Rev. John Reinke monthly at our church for further Bible study and training in evangelism. Several members of this group also meet at church on Tuesday evenings for live-stream UTube classes with Pastor Reinke. These sessions are interactive. A further opportunity for Bible study takes place on Thursday nights, but those who are interested simply watch from their home computers. These people are on fire for Christ!
Two lay leaders in this group (Mike Lewis and Regina McAlear) are in the early stages of a training program that may lead them someday to certification as deacon or deaconess. In addition to their regular Bible study classes, most months they drive to one of the other deaf worship sites for a monthly deaf ministry training workshop. Each church group hosts the workshop periodically.
What's the bigger picture? This is all part of the reorganization of deaf ministry within our Synod.
In 2008, LCMS World Mission realized that deaf ministry was dwindling despite greater need, and asked Rev. Rodney Rynearson, a retired pastor with synodical experience in deaf ministry, to set up a new Deaf Mission Society to reorganize and oversee deaf ministry in LC-MS. With much prayer and inspired planning, a new direction is taking shape. Just as the most successful foreign missions are those in which indigenous people are trained for leadership and eventually take over full responsibility for the mission and operation of their churches, the future direction of deaf ministry wHl follow similar lines. As God leads, trained deaf laymen will be able to enter the Specialized Ministry Program at the seminary in order to be prepared to assume the pastoral role in their own congregations. All deaf members are being taught to think of themselves as missionaries to the deaf.
With this shift in the oversight of deaf ministry comes the need to support Deaf Ministry directly rather than through general Synod offerings. This is one of the areas in which the participation of hearing Lutherans is needed, both in terms of promotion and financial generosity. Some financial support may always be needed, due to economic conditions within the deaf community.
Shepherd of the Hills has a dedicated fund to benefit local deaf ministry (i.e. the Deaf LaCrosse group and its outreach to the community). But if you wish to make a contribution that will help pay the salary and ministry expenses of Rev. John Reinke and Rev. William "Bud" Palmer, please send your contribution to the Lutheran Deaf Mission Society (LDMS)-with a note on the memo line saying "SWD Deaf Mission".
We covet your prayers for the success of this new endeavor.
Lisa Kerr
Chairman, SWD Branch, Lutheran Deaf Mission Society