All LBT missionaries are required to do partnership development. Partnership development is finding prayer partners as well as financial partners—-people who are willing to support your ministry overseas. However, LBT missionaries are salaried and receive full medical, dental and life insurance as well as retirement benefits and vacation time. For more information on this process, visit Partnership Development.
LBT does not provide assistance in paying off educational debt. A candidate for missionary service with LBT will not be considered when his or her debt level could cause a financial burden while serving as a missionary. We recommend if you have personal debt that you work for a few years to eliminate it before applying for missionary service with LBT.
No. LBT is an independent Lutheran organization and does not receive direct funding from any synod or denomination. However, we do have a close partnership with the LCMS and are a Recognized Service Organization. If you are an LCMS rostered educator, pastor, or DCE you can remain on the active roster while serving overseas with LBT. You can receive a call through LCMS World Mission and be seconded to LBT.
While a seminary education is beneficial on the field, it is not necessary to be an ordained minister or to have attended seminary to be a missionary with LBT. If you are pursuing the translation advisor track, a basic proficiency in exegetical skills as well as in Greek or Hebrew will be necessary. These skills can be achieved through undergraduate studies.
As a trained pastor with a background in Biblical languages and exegesis, you would be a natural fit for translation work. However, LBT has other needs in Scripture Use that you could also look into.
Yes, you will still need further training in translation principles, anthropology and linguistics. However, the training in Biblical languages and exegesis you have received does put you farther ahead of most candidates in the training process and will be a great asset to you in your work.
It may surprise you to know that many LBT missionaries started off as educators and teachers. We currently have on the field a high school math teacher serving in translation, a K-12 music teacher and elementary orchestra conductor serving in ethnomusicology, and a junior high and high school history and Bible teacher serving in literacy and Scripture use. The skills you acquire through your training and certification process are extremely helpful in literacy and Scripture use work as well as translation. You will still need, on average, one year of further training in translation or literacy/Scripture use principles, anthropology and linguistics and you may also require some training in biblical exegesis and analysis depending on your field of service. However, your experience as a teacher will greatly help you as you train your team of nationals in translation or literacy/Scripture use principles.
Missionaries are encouraged to pursue continuing education programs, such as Masters or Ph.D. programs, that will equip and empower the missionary to be recognized for professional competence and facilitate the development of effective translation related programs.
Missionary homes typically have indoor plumbing. Electricity is provided through a local service or solar panels. Assignments vary from living in remote village locations where fewer amenities are available, to living in modern cities with most of the amenities you would find here. LBT works with individuals to match their abilities and comfort level to the situation that works best for them.
As mother tongue co-workers have increasingly higher educational levels and English abiliites, the need for speaking the local language can vary. Living with a village family and having a language tutor are the norm. A fairly high level of competency in French or Spanish and/or language school education is required before going to assignment in a French or Spanish speaking country.
LBT will ensure the necessary procedures for guiding missionaries through a crisis situation (e.g. evacuations, medical emergencies, death of a member on the field, automobile accident, etc.) are in place and available to each missionary. LBT has a Crisis Management Policy and Procedure Manual that will provide the necessary action steps to respond to the crisis. We take every precaution to ensure the safety of our missionaries.
LBT gives parents the choice of how their children will be educated. Options often include home-schooling, international school, boarding school, or public school. LBT pays educational expenses for missionaries’ dependent child(ren) through high school while living overseas.
There are many ways to be involved in missions that support those doing the work of translation and Scripture use. Missionary pilots, business managers, and computer technicians are just a few of the areas where service is needed. Working with our partner organizations, LBT will find a place for you to serve the Lord with us!
