Foundation to Award $1.3 Million to Next Generation Pastors, Scholars
An award of $1.3 million in fellowships and other support will be provided to more than 190 college, seminary and doctoral students nationwide throughout the year to those named The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) 2006 Fellows.
An award of $1.3 million in fellowships and other support will be provided to more than 190 college, seminary and doctoral students nationwide throughout the year to those named The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) 2006 Fellows.
"The church and the academy face a growing need for talented and diverse leaders," said the Rev. Ann Svennungsen, president of The Fund for Theological Education in a statement released on Monday. "Young people with gifts for ministry and teaching need our encouragement and financial support more than ever to pursue what has become an uncommon calling."
Recent studies show a significant decline across most Christian denominations in the number of clergy under age 35, as well as declining interest among seminary students in answering the call to ministry, according to FTE. Only about half of seminary students plan to be ordained, and fewer still plan to serve a local congregation. Diversity in theological education is also a concern; among the 251 member institutions of the Association of Theological Schools, one-third reports that they do not have a person of color on their faculties.
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FTE Fellowships seeks to provide theological scholarship to gifted students from diverse backgrounds through four categories: ministry fellowships, congregational fellowships, undergraduate fellowships, and doctoral fellowships.
•Ministry Fellowships: 40 students entering Master of Divinity degree programs across the country will receive $5,000 for self-designed ministry projects, expenses to attend the FTE Conference on Excellence in Ministry and other vocational enrichment opportunities.
•Congregational Fellowships: 40 young people will receive FTE Congregational Fellowships, which provide $2,000 to $5,000 in matching funds toward tuition and living expenses for the first year of seminary for students who are nominated and financially supported by their churches.
•Undergraduate Fellowships: 70 college juniors and seniors will receive $1,500 stipends for educational expenses, funds to obtain mentoring for their vocational discernment and expenses to attend the FTE Conference on Excellence in Ministry.
•Doctoral Fellowships: 47 gifted doctoral students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups who are pursuing Ph.D.s in religion, biblical studies and theology will receive stipends of up to $15,000 for living expenses. African-American fellowship recipients also receive expenses to attend the FTE Doctoral Fellows Conference, which offers tips for successfully completing the doctoral degree, as well as faculty and peer support.
FTE is an ecumenical advocate for “excellence and diversity” in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. It supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, providing fellowships and a network of support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Since 1954, FTE has awarded more than 5,700 fellowships in partnership with others committed to quality leadership for the church.
For more information on FTE fellowships visit: www.thefund.org
