CHAPLAIN'S BLOG: Rev David Southall ponders the lack of a church in Worcester for deaf people

But on Wednesday I had the fantastic privilege of meeting with Rev Susan Myatt, who is the first deaf minister in the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

Susan runs some Deaf Churches in Staffordshire and I had the chance to hear from her about the work she is doing. Her stories were inspirational and amazing. But at times it was horrifying to hear of the way that deaf people have been treated in and by the Church.

In her churches the language is British Sign Language. And the leaders of the church are deaf; and the congregation is deaf with a few hearing people (for whom they graciously employ an interpreter).

“But is there a need for a Deaf Church?” you ask. Well, that is like asking if there is a need for a Polish church for a group of Polish-speaking Christians.

Deaf and hearing cultures are different. They communicate ideas in different ways. Susan gave the example of preachers in hearing churches saying the same things three times for effect – a rhetorical device used by Hitler and Martin Luther King.

And then she said: “I don’t understand. In the deaf world I hear this and ask why the preacher is saying it again and again and again.”

She also gave the example of Holy Communion: in hearing churches people usually sit in silence; in deaf churches everyone takes the chance to talk to each other and catch up on news.

Just a different way and culture.

“But can’t we just get a BSL interpreter for the church service?” you might wonder. Well that would be a start, but so often hearing people want things the hearing way, communicate in the hearing way, and take control; which leads to lowering the confidence on the deaf community making them passive recipients and not active leaders.

No the only answer is for a Deaf Church led by deaf people for deaf people. So now my question is: “Why shouldn’t Worcester have a Deaf Church?”

Perhaps I might help this happen. Perhaps you might too. Get in touch.