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Monday, June 12, 2006
Fund Awards $1.3 Million in Fellowships and Support To Next Generation of Pastors and Scholars
Program aims to improve supply, quality and diversity of young candidates
Contact: Kerry Traubert
(404) 727-1170
ATLANTA, June 12, 2006 - To improve the supply, quality and diversity of young candidates for ministry and teaching, The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) will award $1.3 million in fellowships and other support to more than 190 college, seminary and doctoral students nationwide named as 2006 FTE Fellows.
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-today, 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 report that they do not have a person of color on their faculties.
FTE Fellowships help fill the pipeline of young talent for ministry and theological scholarship-providing financial assistance and a network of support to gifted students from diverse backgrounds. The Fund is awarding 2006 fellowships in four categories:
* 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.
"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. "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."
FTE is a leading 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.
The Fund is also a resource for educational and faith communities, offering programs to help encourage highly capable candidates to explore vocations in ministry and teaching. Since 1954, FTE has awarded more than 5,700 fellowships in partnership with others committed to quality leadership for the church. Information about FTE fellowships is available on the Web at www.thefund.org.
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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
Contact: Kerry Traubert
(404) 727-1170
ATLANTA, June 12, 2006 - To improve the supply, quality and diversity of young candidates for ministry and teaching, The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) will award $1.3 million in fellowships and other support to more than 190 college, seminary and doctoral students nationwide named as 2006 FTE Fellows.
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-today, 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 report that they do not have a person of color on their faculties.
FTE Fellowships help fill the pipeline of young talent for ministry and theological scholarship-providing financial assistance and a network of support to gifted students from diverse backgrounds. The Fund is awarding 2006 fellowships in four categories:
* 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.
"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. "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."
FTE is a leading 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.
The Fund is also a resource for educational and faith communities, offering programs to help encourage highly capable candidates to explore vocations in ministry and teaching. Since 1954, FTE has awarded more than 5,700 fellowships in partnership with others committed to quality leadership for the church. Information about FTE fellowships is available on the Web at www.thefund.org.
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
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About Religion Press Release ServicesReligion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
