Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada - Bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ through Bible translation and literacy.

Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada (LBTC) requires the following four qualifications in a potential candidate:

A sincere heart to serve the Lord through overseas missions
Be a Canadian or United States citizen
Be a member in good standing of a Lutheran Church
Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field

Regarding education, the following courses will be of particular help: anthropology, linguistics, Biblical studies, ancient and modern languages, education and mission-related courses. Cross-cultural studies or overseas internships are also important.

The following areas of knowledge or skills are required before overseas assignments can begin:

Biblical/exegetical studies
Missiology
Lutheran doctrine
Computer literacy
First Aid
CPR
Personal safety

Further training as needed by the applicant to be ready for the assignment

These courses may be obtained through Canada Institute of Linguistics (CANIL) in Langley, BC or Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL) in Dallas, Texas.

To link directly to CANIL, go to http://www.canil.ca

To link directly to GIAL, go to http://www.gial.edu

While many opportunities to serve God in overseas mission fields, Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada focuses its efforts on providing the following types of missionaries:

Language Survey Specialist

Bible Translation Advisor

Literacy/Scripture Use Specialist

Ethnomusicologist

Vernacular Media Specialist

Missionary Kid Teacher/Tutor

Continue reading below to learn about these positions

Language Survey Specialist

Language Survey Specialists are the first link in the translation process. They travel to designated areas to interview people and test their knowledge of specific languages, i.e. research and analyze data.

Surveyors face challenges in traveling to remote areas, making do with whatever accommodations come to hand. Dealing with new situations every day, they meet new people and attempt to communicate with them in order to gather specific information.

They work very closely with a team of nationals (local church workers and interested individuals) to determine what the Bible translation and literacy needs are for the region.

Upon completion of these preliminary investigations, the goal is to complete a language survey which determines where Scripture is not available, how many people speak the language or languages of the region, general literacy rates, etc.

If you are interested in more information about Language Survey Specialist, click here.

Bible Translation Advisor

Translation advisors help translate the Bible. It begins language learning and the formation of an alphabet if the language has no written form.

Translators train nationals and develop a team as the translation progresses. The translation needs to be tested, reviewed, and perhaps revised. All of this requires a detail-oriented person with patience, excellent communication and people skills, and a dedication to accuracy.

Many challenges arise in taking an unfamiliar language and making it as if it were your own. Identifying a team committed to the task and willing to advance through arduous stages may take years to bring the translation to completion. Advisors empower the people to express themselves in their heart language through the written word, and help them make God’s Word clear to them. Helping others retain a pride in who they are as God's creation also helps to preserve their culture. By giving them a written language so they themselves might read God's precious message, they become stronger in faith as part of the fellowship of believers.

The position of Translation Advisor is challenging, but in the end is very rewarding. The joy and blessings experienced at the completion of a project are unparalleled. A translation advisor witness first hand how peoples' lives are transformed when they can read and hear Scripture in the language of their hearts.

If you are interested in more information about Bible Translator Advisor, click here.

Literacy/Scripture Use Specialist

Literacy/Scripture Use Specialists teach people to read by training national people to be teachers. They develop pre-primers and other resources to help new readers. In addition to Biblical stories, these resources may include health booklets and traditional stories, all designed to assist beginners as they learn to read their own language.

Hand in hand with Literacy is Scripture Use. Published New Testaments serve no purpose if they are left sitting on the shelf. People need to be encouraged to use Scripture. In many cultures where people communicate primarily through the spoken word, they will not learn to read. Scripture Use Specialist find ways to make Scripture available to them. Missionaries are using cultural traditions to communicate Biblical concepts in ways that are non-traditional to us.

For example, historically, storytellers in Liberia taught moral values to each generation through traditional stories. During Morality Play Writer’s Workshops, participants are asked to find suitable Bible verses to relate to the moral values taught through the relating of traditional stories. These stories are then compiled into Morality Story Books. Bible storying is another method being used to encourage the use of Scripture. It simply means that individuals memorize Bible stories and then relate them to others, thereby sharing the Gospel.

The goal of both literacy and Scripture use are to find appropriate formats to make Scripture available to all people so that they will have the opportunity to learn about their Lord and Savior and then enable them to share and teach others this Good News.

If you are interested in more information about Literacy/Scriptural Engagement Specialist, click here.

Ethnomusicologist

Traditionally, ethnomusicologists study and observe indigenous music styles in the same way anthropologists study and observe indigenous cultures. The goal is to strengthen and further Scripture use initiatives through music.

Hymns and worship songs in worship services reflect the music styles and instruments of the culture. Particular attention then is required to maintain cultural preferences to enhance worship.

The ethnomusicology specialist helps nationals set translated Scripture to their own familiar music. An analysis of the culture’s music systems and using the musical talent of local musicians are part of this process. One tool of the ethnomusicologist is the song workshop which brings local church musicians and other non-Christian musicians together to compose and record their music with Scripture. At the end of the workshop, the people are left with a final set of songs and copies of this recording to distribute to those speaking their language. The joy of worshipping God through new music which reflects their familiar style brings intense excitement and a revival of inspired worship.

If you are interested in more information about Ethnomusicologist, click here.

Vernacular Media Specialist

Vernacular Media Specialists (VMS) are responsible for helping to develop non-print media that will be used to encourage people to be familiar with Scripture. Non-print refers to cassette recordings of Scripture, video or dubbing audio into existing video, film strips, flip charts and other visuals, just to name a few. People with few literacy opportunities, vision impairments or who live in remote communities may learn of God in their lives right along with those who have access to a Bible.

The VMS works closely with nationals to record Scripture or act out parts in Biblical plays suitable for recording to other media or in preparation for radio broadcasts. Improvisation and working with limited resources is necessary. For example, a recording studio may be nothing more that a small room or closet, lined with mattresses and shielded by blankets.

The goal is to make Scripture accessible without written text. Technical expertise with creativity and adaptability is required.

If you are interested in more information about Vernacular Media Specialist, click here.

Missionary Kid Teacher/Tutor

In order that missionaries may concentrate on their LBTC duties and other aspects of their ministry, missionary kid tutors are needed to assure that their children’s education continues.

Though probably less structured than in a typical North American school setting, missionary teacher/tutor do all the things any teacher would do. Some travel from village to village helping several missionary families with their children's correspondence courses. Others may have one family to work with all the time. Some teachers are also required to work in a mission boarding school.

If you are interested in more information about Missionary Kid Teacher/Tutor, click here.

Have other ideas on ways to become involved with Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada? Click here to tell us how.

Language Survey Specialist

Do you like to rough it?
Do you enjoy the challenge of new situations?
Do you enjoy interacting with new people?
Are you able to do research and analyze data?