Holistic Training and Ongoing Support for Ministry Teams: Insights From Cameroonian Bible Translation Teams

Ministry is not a solitary endeavor. The quality of people in a ministry team and their relationship with God and each other can have an impact on the quality of their work. Bible translation teams working to make God's Word available in indigenous languages are no exception. Informal research in my context indicates that most challenges that translation teams face are linked to interpersonal and team dynamics. Effective training for ministry needs to be holistic and focus on personal and team development in addition to the strengthening of technical competencies. This paper will describe such an initiative in SIL Cameroon and highlight some insights from studies in translator training and theological education which have informed its design and delivery. The paper will conclude with brief illustrations of the impact the training has had on translation teams and the quality of their work.