Cultural Competence as Calling: Theological Librarianship in the Age of Global Theological Education

As the number of international students grows in theological education in North America, theological librarians are called to develop deeper cultural competence. This chapter explores two key challenges faced by international students: academic critical thinking and the dynamics of authority, and examines how theological librarians can respond with wisdom and love. Many international students struggle with the Western model of critical thinking due to differing cultural, educational, or spiritual backgrounds. Additionally, international students often regard faculty, including librarians, as authority figures, which may hinder honest engagement and learning. This chapter argues that theological librarians must move beyond sharing technical know-how and cultivate virtues such as humility, compassion, and discernment. By approaching their work with cultural sensitivity and theological imagination, librarians can foster not only information literacy but also intellectual formation and spiritual growth in the global classroom of theological education.