Is something missing?
Have you ever read 1 Corinthians 12 and marveled at Paul’s analogy of the body of Christ? He paints such a vivid picture: just as the human body has many parts, each with a unique role, so does the body of Christ.
“If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” (1 Corinthians 12:17 NIV / ASLV). Paul’s point is clear — diversity isn’t just nice to have; it’s essential.
But here’s a question: what happens when parts of the body are left out? When barriers — intentional or not — prevent people from fully participating in the life of the Church, what are we missing?
Let’s make it more concrete
Imagine a circuit — an electrical system designed to carry power. When it’s incomplete, the current cannot flow freely, and its potential is untapped. The lights are dim, and nothing works as it should.
Then, one day, the missing connection is restored. Suddenly, the circuit comes alive — lights blaze, energy flows, and everything begins to function as it was designed. Just like the body of Christ, the circuit needs every part connected to operate at full strength.
In the same way, connection to the Bible is what allows individuals to experience the fullness of life in Christ and to function as part of his body. This is the reality for so many Deaf individuals around the world when they encounter the Bible in the language they understand best.
Without access to the Bible in a format they can deeply engage with, our Deaf brothers and sisters are spiritually excluded — not because they lack faith or desire, but because they haven’t been connected to the power and transformation of God’s love expressed uniquely through the Bible.
And without that connection, their full participation in the body of Christ remains incomplete. The Bible isn’t just words on a page. It is alive and active. The Bible is a source of life, power, and identity.
When the circuit is completed, the transformation is profound — not just for the individual but for the entire body of Christ. The Bible connects us not only to God’s transformative power but also to one another, equipping us to live fully as members of Christ’s body.
Connection to the Bible empowers connection to the Church, allowing the excluded to find belonging, the disconnected to find purpose, and the whole Church to thrive as one unified body reflecting Christ’s fullness.
Every part matters
Inclusion ensures that every individual can bring their unique gifts and perspectives to the Church, enriching the body of Christ.
Access to the Bible energizes these individuals with the spiritual understanding and confidence to express their gifts for the benefit of the Church’s unity and vitality.
Deaf individuals, too, carry distinct gifts and insights that enrich the Church in ways only they can. But when their contributions are missing, the Church loses something precious.
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12 are a wake-up call: “The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (v. 22). That word seem is key. It reveals our human tendency to undervalue or misunderstand certain members of the body.
Paul challenges us to see these members as essential — not just to the Church’s function but to its ability to fully reflect Christ to a broken and beautiful world.
When we fail to prioritize inclusion, we are prone to miss out on the fullness of who Christ is. By embracing Deaf brothers and sisters, by providing opportunities, and by presenting unhindered access to the Bible, we all grow stronger. We reflect God’s image more clearly together.
When access leads to transformation
For Deaf individuals, receiving the Bible in their sign language is nothing short of life-changing. It’s like stepping out of the shadows into a room illuminated by light for the first time. Suddenly, everything is clearer, brighter, and more vibrant. Their inclusion strengthens not just them, but the entire body of Christ.
And the transformation isn’t just theirs. It ripples through the whole Church. Worship deepens. Community grows richer. The image of Christ becomes more complete.
Chantel Pagán, Deaf Bible Society’s CEO and President, reflects on her experience: “What I’ve learned from working alongside Deaf leaders has transformed my own understanding of God. Their perspective on worship and community has opened my eyes to aspects of faith I’d never considered. It’s not just about what we can give — it’s about what is collectively received when every member is fully engaged.”
This is why sign language Bible translation matters so deeply. It’s about ensuring every person, made in God’s image, has personal access to the gospel and the chance to grow in their faith. It’s about the health of the global Church and the glory of God.
What’s your role?
Inclusion isn’t just for organizations like Deaf Bible Society — it’s a call for each of us. The Bible connects us to God’s power and to one another, equipping us to thrive as a unified body. The body of Christ isn’t meant to be passive. It’s meant to move, to grow, to thrive with every part contributing.
Take a moment to reflect on your own community:
- Can you recall a time when you felt excluded or unseen in your community or church?
- Who in your community might experience exclusion, and what barriers could be contributing to that?
- What steps can you take to create space for everyone to belong and contribute?
- What perspectives might be missing from your ministry or church?
- How can you advocate for better access and representation, knowing that every person reflects God’s image in a way that can enrich the faith of the whole body?
A complete body reflects a complete Christ
The Church was never meant to function with pieces missing. When every member of the body is included, empowered, and connected through the Bible, it’s like a fully completed circuit — alive, thriving, and reflecting the beauty of Christ’s design.
So, what steps will you take today to include and celebrate the members of the body who’ve been left out for too long? Together, let’s rediscover the power of inclusion and access — for their sake, for ours, and for the glory of God.
