The Fund for Theological Education (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 for gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds.
Help for the Journey:
The Fund is also a resource for educational and faith communities, offering programs that encourage highly capable candidates to explore vocations in ministry and teaching. Since 1954, FTE has awarded nearly 6,000 fellowships in partnership with others committed to the future of quality leadership for the church. In addition to fellowships for students in seminary, FTE offers fellowships for undergraduates exploring ministry and for doctoral and dissertation students from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds. We also support congregations in their role of identifying and encouraging young people to consider ministry as a vocation.
Fellowships for
Second-Year
Seminary Students Supporting the next generation of leaders for the church.
Information about FTE fellowships is available on the Web at www.thefund.org.
answering the call to ministry Using your passion, commitment and talents to serve and heal God’s world
Eligibility
Our world needs gifted leaders with bright minds, compassionate hearts and exceptional character. The church needs bright, compassionate and outstanding young leaders who hear a calling to serve God’s world as pastors. That is why we offer fellowships and a network of support to gifted young people who are responding to God’s calling in their lives.
for young leaders called to ministry
Ministry Fellowships include: Financial award: Ministry Fellows are awarded $10,000 at the beginning of the second year of a Master of Divinity program. The award enhances the Fellow’s preparation for ministry by funding a self-designed summer project and by reducing the financial burden of seminary education. Together with FTE staff and other advisers, each Ministry Fellow has the opportunity to discern how best to allocate stipend funds. Congregational Leadership Intensive: Ministry Fellows participate together in a leadership intensive focused on understanding themselves as congregational leaders, and learning key concepts and practices of excellent leadership. At the end of the fellowship year, the Ministry Fellows convene again to share what they have learned from their completed ministry projects. Conference: Ministry Fellows also attend a conference in the summer before the second year of seminary, where they and other FTE Fellows meet with theologians, pastors and church leaders for thoughtful exchange, including worship, lectures, forums and informal time together. Network of support: Ministry Fellows have expanded opportunities to consult with FTE staff, pastors, leadership and financial planning consultants, and other FTE Fellows.
Nominees for the FTE Ministry Fellowship should possess the gifts of intellect, leadership and love of God and neighbor that make for exceptional pastoral leadership. They should demonstrate a commitment to the church and the potential for empowering others to lives of faithfulness. Nominees should also exhibit the maturity and capacity to use the fellowship in a way that will contribute significantly to the vitality and longevity of their service to the larger church.
“My faith informs how I want to live my life; I see ministry as a call to service, to things that give life beauty and richness.”
Diana Batzka Vanderbilt Divinity School FTE Ministry Fellow
To be considered for this fellowship, candidates must: v Be
first-year, full-time Master of Divinity students who have completed one semester at a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. (Students in the second or third year of an M.Div. program, or enrolled in an M.T.S., Th.M. or M.A. degree program, are not eligible.)
v Be
nominated by the seminary dean or president
v Be
a U.S. or Canadian citizen 35 years of age or younger
v Have
a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
v Have
a minimum GPA of 3.3 at the end of the first academic term in seminary
v Be
available to participate in all fellowship activities (see FTE Web site for further details)
how to apply: A student must be nominated by the seminary dean or president to be considered for a Ministry Fellowship. The letter of nomination should accompany the candidate’s completed application. For more information about the nomination process and to download an application, visit our Web site at www.thefund.org or contact us at the address below. The application deadline for FTE Ministry Fellowships is March 1.
The Fund for Theological Education
825 Houston Mill Road, Suite 250 Atlanta, GA 30329 Phone: 404-727-1450 Fax: 404-727-1490 Email: fellowships@thefund.org