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Originally Posted by deafbajagal
I moved to a new big city a few months ago. So I've been looking for a chruch with interpreted services -or at least, a church who is willing to provide intepreters. I've called over 50 (at least) churches.
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I'm so sorry that you're having such a difficult time finding a good church with interpreted services and/or Deaf ministry.
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Here's my problem...for the churches that have interpreted services - the interpreters are not really interpreters - they are people who "know some sign language."
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That is a very sorry situation. It is something that I've been "campaigning" about for many years. I interpret at my church, Sunday and Wednesday evening services, Sunday School, and whatever special meetings that happen during the week (such as revival or evangelistic services). Another couple do the Sunday morning church services. I've also visited other churches, locally and in other states, to observe their interpreted church services. So I know what you're talking about.
The sad truth is that many church "interpreters" have the right "heart" but not the right skills. I believe both aspects are important. It's to our (meaning Christian) shame that we don't require professionalism in church interpreters. I can't go into it all now (I could write a book) but suffice it to say that it is truly a shame, and it needs to be fixed.
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Now I'm talking about HUGE churches that should be financially able to provide certified interpreters. So far all of them said they will not provide one (when I asked). A few said, "Sorry - we don't have a deaf ministry" - as if they must have one to get an interpreter.
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Many churches don't understand the difference between a Deaf ministry and an interpreted church service. They aren't the same. A good Deaf ministry includes not just hearing interpreters and Deaf church members, but also Deaf ministers and workers, specialized Sunday School and Bible study classes, and ministry fellowships and activities. An interpreted church service is just that; a church service with an interpreter.
At our church we have a Deaf ministry but because of move-aways and other situations we currently do only church service interpreting and occasional Sunday School interpreting.
I know of a couple other churches in our area that hire terps for services, and some others who have real Deaf ministries headed by Deaf people. One has an ordained Deaf minister.
In other locations (Michigan, AZ, Long Island, upstate SC) I know some other good Deaf ministries. So, they are out there; just too far and few between.
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Why is it that when it comes to medical situations and legal situations, it is generally agreed that the interpreter should be certified and qualified. However, for church situations- it seems that anyone can be "good enough."
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Legally, church terps don't need to be certified or qualified.
Ethically, I believe church terps should at least be qualified and behave in a professional manner. They should also get equal support from the churches the same as other church ministries (music, children's, Spanish, etc.)
One problem is leverage. Professional community terps are paid for their time and services. The hiring agents can make demands on them for certification, and professional standards. Many church interpreters (at least in independent Baptist churches) are volunteers. If they are pressed to get training on their own dime, or follow stricter standards, they just quit. There's no financial incentive.
Of course that is a wrong attitude. But there are some church terps with the right attitude but just can't afford the training for themselves. That's difficult but can be overcome with good mentoring and church sponsored workshops.
The big problem is church terps who believe a two-week crash course in signing and a "good heart" are enough. If they think that they know enough and refuse training even when it's offered for free, then that's a soul problem that only the Holy Spirit can correct.
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We're talking about people's SALVATION AND SOULS - preparing for the everlasting life and all that. How can the people who call themselves interpreters (when they are not) and the churches who let them do it sleep at night?
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Good question. Some of it is ignorance or getting information from outdated sources. Some of it is, "We've done it this way for 60 years, and we ain't changin'" attitude. Some church people still have a too paternalistic attitude.
Those are
excuses, and they are unacceptable, to me.
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If you are one of the people "who can sign some" and acting as an interpreter - it is possible you are helping to send Deaf people to Hell since they are not getting the full access to the message.
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That is something that scares me. I believe that church interpreting should be done at the highest level of skill and integrity--it is MOST important.
I don't believe that lousy interpreting will send Deaf people to Hell. We are each and all destined for Hell if we don't personally repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior. But if Deaf people don't get a clear presentation of the Gospel, how can they know about Jesus?
Romans 10
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
My paraphrase:
For there is no difference between the
hearing and the Deaf: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
and how shall they understand the preacher without an interpreter?