Continuing education

Scholarships for ordained clergy

Information and eligibility

Disciples Home Missions (DHM) seeks to support ministers in their commitment to a process of life-long learning. Ministers who take advantage of available educational experiences often discover that there are benefits of such experiences for themselves and the people with whom they are in ministry.

Accordingly, DHM has continuing education funds available for clergy of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The following eligibility criteria for the funds were established initially by DHM Board of Directors in June, 1975.

• Each applicant must be in good standing as an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
• Applicants are to have completed basic or beginning theological education normally a B.D. or M. Div. degree.
• Candidates for advanced professional degrees in ministry such as D. Min. and M.A., are eligible for consideration, provided they have been in full time ministry for at least three years following receipt of basic or beginning theological degree. Grants will be considered during the first year of studies.
• Recipients are limited to one grant in a 12-month period.
• D.Min. students may receive grants up to three times during D.Min. matriculation.
• Recipients of continuing education scholarships are expected to contribute to the cost of their educational experience. In all cases, demonstrated financial need will be a strong factor in determining the amount of the grant.
• When requests exceed funds available, preference will be given to those with the greatest need, and/or for whom no other funds are known to be available.
• Normally all the partners in continuing education ...
  - the clergy applicant, as well as
  - the congregation, or other related employer, or sponsoring institutions or agencies,
  ... are expected to invest financially in the proposed continuing education program in equitable amounts.
• Effective January 1, 2009, each applicant has the potential to receive a maximum $1,000 award.
• The amount awarded is no more than $1,000 per year, up to three years.
• All questions on application form must be answered before an application can be processed; be sure to print a copy of the completed application form for your own records should any document verification be required.
• No application will be processed until DHM has received the required information from the minister's regional office. Please have your regional minister complete the regional online endorsement form on your behalf.
• Grants will be made only to those who propose to participate in a continuing education event recognized by an accrediting body beyond the sponsoring institution or organization; approved by a regional or general unit of the church; or endorsed by the regional commission on the ministry as a valid continuing education program. Denominational events such as General or Regional assemblies, fellowship meeting, and ecumenical assemblies do not qualify as continuing education events.