Christian Vision and Hearing Services (CVHS), a ministry of Adventist Media, is hosting two free seminars this month aimed at helping churches better understand hearing loss and create more inclusive worship environments.
The seminars, titled Hearing Loss and Assistive Listening for Churches, will be presented by Graham Weir, a member of the General Conference Adventist Possibility Ministries Taskforce for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
According to CVHS coordinator Cassie Etwell, the events are designed to raise awareness of a challenge that often goes unnoticed within congregations.
“At Christian Vision and Hearing Services, we’re committed to helping churches become places where everyone can participate fully and feel connected,” she said.
“These seminars are designed to raise awareness of hearing loss, share practical support strategies and introduce assistive listening technology that can make church life more accessible and inclusive.”
Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience demonstrations of the latest assistive listening technology and learn about new developments that may benefit their local church.
Mr Weir believes hearing loss is a significant but often overlooked factor in church disengagement.
“Unfortunately, drifting away from church because of hearing loss is an inconvenient truth that happens far more often than any of us might imagine,” he said.
“Every pastor needs to ask, ‘How many members are silently drifting away because they cannot hear? And how many visitors have decided not to return for the same reason?'”
He said recent advances in assistive listening technology have created new opportunities for people with hearing challenges to participate more fully in church life.
“The solutions are neither difficult nor unreasonably costly,” Mr Weir said.
“Our churches need to be informed of these developments and incentivised to equip their facilities appropriately so that no-one is excluded just because they can’t hear perfectly.”
Mr Weir added that embracing such technology is consistent with Christ’s example of caring for others.
“As Christ’s disciples today, we can do no less than use the technology tools He has enabled humanity to create, to uplift, encourage and help one another clearly hear and understand His messages,” he said.
The seminars are open to church leaders, members and anyone interested in learning more about hearing loss and assistive listening solutions in worship settings. Light refreshments will be provided.
The first seminar will be held at Avondale Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church on June 20 from 3pm to 6pm, followed by a second event at Kellyville Seventh-day Adventist Church on June 27 from 3pm to 6pm.
Click here to register for the Avondale seminar and here for the Kellyville event.
