Scripture Access vs. Scripture Engagement: What is our goal and how do we get there?

Decades ago, Bible agencies discovered that translating God’s Word into indigenous languages does not automatically lead to community transformation. The discovery of Scripture engagement principles provided theories and best practices to address this issue. Our understanding of the barriers to Scripture engagement has increased significantly in recent years. Emerging global realities have led to new challenges to and opportunities for Scripture engagement.
In recent years, Bible agencies have organized Scripture access and Scripture engagement departments and initiatives with varying definitions for each term. These delineations are frequently for pragmatic reasons, but the theoretical foundation of these concepts can be lost through practical organizational structures. How we understand these terms can impact the value we place on the goals and activities that lead to community transformation. Additionally, the accelerated pace of Bible translation often outstrips Scripture engagement work leading to gaps in Scripture engagement resourcing, planning, and activities.
As members of the Bible translation movement, we need to have a clear understanding of what Scripture engagement is and the kinds of strategy, training, and activities that go into effective Scripture engagement. Without the intentional implementation of data-driven best practices in Scripture engagement, Bible agencies risk having limited impact within our host communities.