Theological education is a good thing. Few would argue that becoming a more fully
formed and equipped minister is a bad thing.
Like most good things, however, a seminary education is not cheap.
Central Baptist Theological Seminary recently released its annual
report which includes the sources of tuition and gifts that fund the seminary’s
budget of over $3 million dollars.
Students provide 31 percent through the payment of
tuition. Basically, they are paying
one-third of the cost of their education.
Thirty-four percent comes from foundations like the Lilly
Foundation, the Arcus Foundation, and the Luce Foundation. Much of this funding goes to special programs
and initiatives.
Individuals provide 30 percent of the seminary budget. These gifts—both large and small—come from
people who believe that theological education is important and are passionate
about the mission of the seminary.
Two percent comes from the American Baptist Churches Central
Region. This is greatly appreciated in a
time when denominational budgets are stretched thin.
Two percent comes directly from churches.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the last figure could be
multiplied ten times? In all honesty,
few churches are willing or able to increase their giving to the seminary without
some clear and motivating purpose. Let
me suggest three:
First, when a church discovers a young person within their
fellowship who has responded to a call to ministry (and they are few and far
between these days), the church can provide affirmation in many ways, but one
specific way is to assist that student to attend seminary by providing some
tuition funds. The investment in the
student speaks volumes about the church’s belief in the student’s calling.
Second, there is a trend in churches to call out gifted men
and women from within the congregation to assume ministry positions. The effectiveness of these individuals would be
enhanced by enrolling in a seminary degree program, and the church could help
to fund this expense over and above the individual’s benefit package. With the seminary’s new online curriculum,
the student can be anywhere in the world and take advantage of seminary
studies. Both the church staff member
and the church benefit from this arrangement.
Third, a church might choose to become a teaching church,
inviting an enrolled seminary student to become part of the church’s ministry
team while providing a portion of the student’s tuition as part of the total
benefit package. This helps the church by
engaging a minister-in-training and assists the student both financially and
educationally.
A new generation of Christian leaders is dependent on
foundations, churches, and individuals for their education. It is worthy investment of resources.
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