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As last-minute Christmas shoppers scramble to prepare gifts for loved ones, a network that provides theological resources to Christian leaders overseas is urging believers in America to consider giving the gift of knowledge to those who need more to better lead and teach others.
“For those who at year-end have a desire to give but fewer dollars to spare, the Theological Book Network offers an opportunity to make a significant difference in the poorest countries of the world by contributing new and used scholarly and theological books,” the network reports.
With the Church growing quickly in many parts of the world, experts have noted and expressed concern over the growing shortage of trained theologians and religious leadership.
“Institutions are struggling to develop enough theologically-trained clergy, church leaders and academics (for both teaching and research) to adequately serve their region,” the network explains.
“Individual school resources are strained; the need for a good theological library is acute, but such a library requires resources that are difficult to obtain and are often insufficient to meet the need,” it adds, noting that the cost of stocking and maintaining a good theological library is often significantly more than the cost of supplying faculty.
Knowing this, the network has been collecting good quality hardcover and soft cover books and journals in the humanities and social sciences, particularly in the fields of theology, history, philosophy and literature.
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"The books that collect dust on our shelves are often greatly needed in libraries, schools and seminaries in the poor countries of the world," explained Kurt Berends, executive director of the network.
"Individuals and institutions that clean out their book shelves can contribute to the education of many who often have no books at all," he added.
Aside from individuals, over 30 book publishers have donated new books to the network, and books have also been donated by more than 90 college, university and theological libraries across America.
Recently, Brill Academic Publishers donated over 8,000 journals to help the network provide theological training toward the development of leaders, teachers and clergy in the Christian Church in the Developing World.
Abingdon Press has also been given special recognition for donating over 150,000 titles toward the network’s mission.
But even with the generous contributions, the network still reports the great need that exists as the continued growth of the church surpasses the ability of institutions to provide the necessary resources to adequately train current and future leaders.
“Books are welcome gifts to the people of these areas, which lack the electrical power and technology for Web-based research and reading,” the network states.
For those who have no books to donate, the network also encourages that monetary donations be made to assist it in the distribution of resources or be used to purchase resources such as The New Interpreter’s® Dictionary of the Bible, which can help educate pastors, teachers, and students.
“Don’t miss this opportunity to help deserving pastors and Christians around the globe,” the network urges.
Being a non-profit organization, all donations and shipping costs of books and cash contributions to the network are tax deductible.
The Theological Book Network is endorsed by the American Theological Library Association and by the Bibliothèques Européenes de Théologie.
