Translation leaders gather for National Offering ‘summit’

Representatives of a variety of LCMS entities and organizations met at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis on May 24 to discuss future translation projects. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

On May 19, Pentecost Sunday, the church celebrated the sending of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the message of the Gospel in a multiplicity of languages in Jerusalem. Several days later, on May 24, a “translation summit” was held at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) International Center in St. Louis.

The impetus for this summit is the 2023–2026 LCMS National Offering. The special offering, currently standing in excess of $400,000, will support the ongoing translation of solid Lutheran resources into languages other than English.

“We will think strategically and in a disciplined way in order to aim this National Offering at fruitful mission and ministry initiatives,” said the Rev. Kevin Robson, LCMS chief mission officer, addressing the attendees at the summit. The following entities and organizations were represented:

Concordia Publishing House

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

Lutheran Bible Translators

Lutheran Heritage Foundation

LCMS Church Relations

LCMS Communications

LCMS Office of International Mission

LCMS Mission Advancement

LCMS Office of National Mission

A key part of the summit’s work was identifying areas of potential overlap and coordination among entities as well as current and future translation gaps that need to be filled. Summit attendees discussed how their respective organizations assessed priorities for selecting texts for translation and the systems they have in place to ensure quality, faithful translations. Holy Scripture, Luther’s Small Catechism and the Book of Concord all figured prominently in the discussion.

The need for translations in both international and domestic contexts was also shared.

“I would like to see us do a little more serious investigation of what precisely the needs are domestically,” said the Rev. Mark Wood, managing director of Church Planting, Renewal and Support for the Office of National Mission. “Knowing that over half of immigrants to the U.S. are proficient in English, and the second generation and following are proficient in English, what are the real needs [for translation]?”

The meeting briefly touched on other contemporary challenges facing the church’s translation efforts, including the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence (including its proper use) and the opportunity to distribute resources digitally.

In the end, the 2023–2026 National Offering has spurred a new era of cooperation in the translation efforts of LCMS-related organizations. As this group strategizes how to use the National Offering funds most effectively, it has also laid the groundwork for an ongoing alliance of organizations deeply committed to translating the core documents of the Lutheran faith into a vast array of languages so that Christ and Him crucified might be proclaimed all over the world.

Jeffrey Rahn, assistant executive director of the LCMS Recognized Service Organization Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), noted the historic nature of this meeting: “In [LHF’s] 32-year history, this is the first time we’ve had this kind of forum to come together with other entities. … I hope this is the genesis of an ongoing discussion.”

Posted May 28, 2024