“Equipped and Integrated”

The Bibles International Consultant Seminar, July 1-9, strengthened and encouraged those who attended. This year’s theme was “Equipped and Integrated.” The workshops gave the translation consultants new tools and insights on how to do their work better.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some, and this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”

Even though a missionary has a doctorate in education or knows the latest in computer technology, if he offends those he is seeking to reach, then it is all in vain. At the seminar, Dr. Connie Champeon conducted a study of knowing the culture of the people the missionary is serving.

Those attending the seminar were asked to read Cross-cultural Servanthood and Americans at Work before the seminar began. Those working in Asia read Speaking of India, and then heard from Dan Gillette, an experienced missionary from India. Those working in Africa read African Friends. Susan Hossack drew from her years of missionary service in Chad to show some features of African culture different from those of western culture.

The video Cross-Talk prompted many discussions about how Americans differ in the way they act from other societies. Americans tend to be blunter and to-the-point rather than patiently going through polite introductions and amenities. To many people, this is offensive, and thus they are not as receptive to our message of the Gospel.

Dr. Ettien Koffi, a linguistics professor from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, presented a wealth of information concerning orthography (the study of a language’s writing system). Born in Côte d’Ivoire, Dr. Koffi drew from his personal experience as a translator and consultant as well as his advanced studies in linguistics. He showed the importance of being accurate, for minute errors could sometimes have cultural or political implications. His humor and willingness to learn new information from his students made his daily workshops very enjoyable. All the consultants gained new insight under his teachings, and his lectures were especially beneficial to those already experienced in literacy and linguistics.

Dr. Troy Manning presented a new spreadsheet program (designed by Birch Champeon) that will help the translators plan how many verses they need to translate (usually between 8-12 verses/day) to complete their work. This will give the translator tangible goals to keep them and their team of nationals motivated. Having a standard way of translating and keeping records will help if a different consultant ever needs to take over.

Drs. Manning and Champeon helped to lay out some foundational ideas for Scripture Use, since this sub-department is becoming an official part of the Text Production Department. The ideas of Scripture Use have already been an integral part of the literacy sub-department through the Old Testament Storybooks, but the time has come to single out this aspect of BI’s ministry so that it can receive focused attention and development. The early stages of the use of a new translation involve certain complexities that only a Bible society can help them overcome. BI wants to provide that help. Paul teaches in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 that the Scriptures are to be used for evangelism and edification, so BI is looking into providing materials for those activities.

Pray for each of the consultants, that they will use what they learned in this seminar to be better equipped for the Lord’s work.