sign language interpretation for the deaf

After 7.5 years, we are going to do a test run of a dream I've had for our church--sign language interpretation for the deaf. Here is the plan for the test run:

--We will offer sign language interpretation for the deaf in our 10am service during all the Sundays in April and May.
--We will have a clearly marked, reserved section where the interpretation will be offered.
--We will sign the pre-sermon portion of the service no matter what, but if no deaf people are in the reserved section, we will not sign the sermon.
--If deaf people are not coming by the end of May, we will shut it down.

I call this a test run because we are doing this on a principle we've practiced at NEHBC since day one--we are open to trying things that clearly fit within our vision, but if an attempted ministry doesn't work, we just shut it down. It's a healthy way of doing things. As I remind my staff from time to time, if nothing you try ever fails, you aren't trying enough things.

What's interesting about this is that if the Lord is in fact not in it, this wont work. But, it's also true that even if the Lord is in this, if we don't pray for deaf people to come and invite them to come, it isn't going to work. So, join me over the next few weeks in trying to invite deaf people to our 10am service.