NEW YORK — The American Bible Society, long known for its distribution of Scripture resources, is redirecting its focus specifically to the nation’s youth and cutting back on its publishing efforts. Denise London, the society’s associate vice president for communications, told Religion News Service that the changes have resulted in the elimination of about 80 staffers, leaving the society with a staff of about 200 people in May. “We tried to ramp down so that we had positions that could actually be applied to our new direction,” London said in an interview. “I guess you could say that the biggest hit came in publishing.” She said the changes were due in part to the economic factors that “every nonprofit has experienced.”
While maintaining some of its history of Bible distribution, London said the New York-based society will deliver Scriptures in new ways especially to young people. “We felt there are a lot of underserved youth in the United States,” she said. “They’re underserved and unchurched.” The 188-year-old society recently sponsored a Christian hip-hop concert in Indianapolis and is considering such products as Scripture-based CDs and virtual reality games.
London said the society will continue to use its Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version of the Bible in its new efforts. While reducing its funding of the United Bible Societies by $1.4 million, the society hopes to enhance partnerships with U.S. churches, she said.
Share with others: