MDC Deaf Ministry Service

SISTER YVONNE BERRY ... FOUNDER AND COORDINATOR



The proposal to implement the Deaf Ministry Service Unit was submitted on November 1, 1995 to the Advisory Board, Midwestern District Council, November 1996 Council Session in Poplar Bluff, Missouri . The Proposal was approved as a service unit of the Midwestern District Council. The service unit shall not function as an auxiliary, but a support group to the Midwestern District Council and its constituency.

PURPOSE

The Deaf Ministry Service Unit shall function within the established guidelines of the Deaf Ministries Department of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.

General Purpose of the Deaf Ministry Service Unit


TO INVOLVE PASTORS, MISSIONARIES, CHRISTIAN WORKERS AND ALL INTERESTED PERSONS IN MINISTERING TO AND REACHING THE DEAF COMMUNITY THROUGH AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND DEAF CULTURE EDUCATION.


    It shall be the goal of the service unit to support the aforementioned purpose through the following training activities:

  1. Provide classes that enrich, improve and advance interpreters'/ workers' knowledge and ability to use American Sign Language and methods of ministry to the Deaf and hearing impaired.
  2. Assist interested persons / groups in understanding the Deaf culture; thereby furthering the ability to minister to the Deaf.
  3. Promote an environment in our council sessions which fosters attendance by the Deaf community to the Midwestern District Council functions and services.

FUNCTION

The Deaf Ministry Service Unit sets forth to provide interpreting services at the Midwestern District Council evening sessions and / or as needed. The availability of trained interpreters will impact the service unit's ability to provide on going interpreting services at the council sessions. The established priority will be to meet the interpreting needs of any deaf person attending our services.

OFFICERS / WORKERS

    ALL INTERESTED PERSONS IN THE DEAF MINISTRY SERVICE UNIT SHOULD EXEMPLIFY A DESIRE TO REACH THE DEAF FOR CHRIST AND PARTICIPATE IN BECOMING TRAINED IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE.

Local colleges will work with the Deaf Ministry Service Unit coordinator in assigning advance sign language students to assist in interpreting council services, but only Midwestern District Council members can function as appointed officers / workers.


CODE OF CONDUCT

Interpreters shall adhere to the Code of Ethics as set forth by The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., has set forth the following principles of ethical behavior to protect and guide the interpreter, the consumers (hearing and hearing-impaired) and the profession, as well as to ensure for all, the right to communicate:

  • Interpreters must use discretion in discussing church interpreting assignments as to ensure confidentiality of the deaf or hearing impaired consumer;
  • Interpreters shall render the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker, using language most readily understood by the person(s) whom they serve;
  • Interpreters shall not counsel, advise, or interject personal opinions;
  • Interpreters shall accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, setting and consumers involved;


DRESS CODE

Interpreters shall be attired in professional dress or the attire best suited for the event. Dress attire should be solid colored suit or dress. The emphasis of the dress code is placed on the signer's signing space (signer’s head to waist). The signing space should be a solid background as to lessen distracting factors: pastels, large pieces of jewelry, bright colored clothing.


DUES

The service unit doesn't have regular payment of dues as it supports the District, but is not an auxiliary. The Coordinator must consult with the appointed advisor or director regarding activities or means of generating funds within the service unit. Any funds generated for the service unit will be used to promote the quality delivery of services to the deaf and hearing attending the District services and functions.


ADVISOR TO THE DEAF MINISTRY SERVICE UNIT

The Deaf Ministry Service Unit shall report to the
Chairman of the Midwestern District Council


  • To represent the needs of the Deaf Ministry Service Unit, an advisor shall be appointed by the chairman of the Midwestern District Council.
  • An appointed Midwestern District Council pastor shall act as the advisor to the Deaf Ministry Service Unit.
  • The Deaf Ministry Service Unit will operate within the established guidelines as set forth by Bishop James A. Johnson, Diocesan of the Midwestern District Council and the directives given by the Deaf Ministry Department of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.


ANNOUNCEMENTS


The Deaf Ministry brings to the attention of the MDC the fact that an article on this ministry was published in "In Magazine".







Below is a snap shot of the actual article.