Mennonite Church USA Conference Funding for Seminary/Leadership Training

The information on Mennonite Church USA conference funding for seminary study and leadership training was collected by phone conversations and e-mail correspondence in October 2009. For the most accurate and current information, please contact the office of the conference you are interested in or go to the conference Web site.

Allegheny Mennonite Conference

Allegheny has a fund called “Christian Workers Training Fund” that provides low interest loans and grants for persons preparing for vocations in Church Leadership. Approved students are eligible for up to $1000 per semester, $2000 per year, up to a maximum of $10,000. Application form is on the brochure. Spoke with Kathy Holsopple, administrative assistant, Oct. 15.

Atlantic Coast Mennonite Conference

A very limited program and resources are in place through Atlantic Coast Mennonite Conference. Small grants are provided to attend weekend seminars and local training events. Spoke with Conference Minister Warren Tyson, on Oct. 15. Tyson said it is one of his goals to establish a more substantial fund with guidelines specifically for leadership training before he retires in the near future.

Central Plains Mennonite Conference

Central Plains Mennonite Conference has several programs in place: The Emery and Audrey Hochstetler Pastoral Training Fund, the Leadership Development Scholarship (specifically for persons attending AMBS, EMS or Hesston College’s Leadership Training Program) and the Mennonite Men Scholarship. Spoke with Emma Hartman, administrator, on Oct. 22.

Eastern District Conference

Eastern District Conference has considerable resources available through two programs with similar names: Leadership Development Fund of the Eastern District Conference, (approx. $136,000) and the Area Conference Leadership Fund (Clayton Kratz Memorial Fund) available to Eastern District and Franconia Conference persons. Spoke with Warren Tyson, Conf. Minister, on Oct. 22.

Franconia Mennonite Conference 

Resources through Franconia Mennonite Conference are basically the same as Eastern District, (see above) though at the current rate of giving the Area Conference Leadership Fund will be depleted in two to three years unless substantial estate gifts are received. I talked with Conrad Martin, conference Financial Administrator, on Oct. 26.

Franklin Mennonite Conference

Franklin Mennonite Conference provides up to $1000 per year for seminary or pastoral training.   Currently two students are using these resources. The fund is called the “Leadership Training Fund” and is applied for through the conference office:  4856 Molly Pitcher Hwy. S., Chambersburg, PA 17202. Spoke with Darrell Baer, Conference Minister, on Oct. 28.

Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference

Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference has a grant program for pastors and other leaders currently in service, and a grant/loan program in place with grants for up to $1000 per year for a maximum of three years for persons in training. Most of these are loans that are repayable, but apparently in some situations the loan is forgiven. Spoke with Nancy Kauffman in the conference office on Oct. 26.

Lancaster Mennonite Conference

The Lancaster Mennonite Conference Web site has extensive information regarding a well established Leadership Education Grant program. It is possible for applicants to secure significant funding for one to multiple years.

Ohio Mennonite Conference

The Ohio Conference Ministerial Credential Committee has oversight of a revolving fund (currently at $9,000) that is available to students to study at the college or seminary level in preparation for pastoral/church leadership positions. In addition several individual congregations (Oak Grove, Walnut Creek, Martins Creek and Kidron – perhaps others) have provided released time and financial subsidy to pastors to complete studies while currently serving as pastors. This is usually 70 percent employment, 30 percent released time, sometimes a full release. This model seems to have worked well. Spoke with conference minister for Ohio Mennonite Conference, Tom Kaufman, on Nov.4.  

Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference

The only resources available through Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference are grants or loans from Mennonite Men.  Application can be made by contacting Mennonite Men at: 722 Main St., Newton, KS 67114, or by phone at 316-283-5100.

South Central Mennonite Conference

The conference moderator Dave Gerber said there is no program in place, but if someone from the conference was interested in pursuing seminary training South Central Mennonite Conference “would certainly entertain a request for scholarship assistance.”  The implication was that there would be resources available, no specific amounts suggested.

Virginia Mennonite Conference

Virginia Mennonite Conference has “13 Ministry Training and Trust Funds.”  These “trusts” provide up to $500 per semester for full time students and $250 per semester for part time. Fund distributions are under the control of the “District Overseers.” Interested students can contact their Overseer who approves or disapproves and dispense the funds accordingly, “if available.”  Several of the trusts are in bad financial status and are not dispensing. Seven of the nine conference “districts” currently have a trust fund(s). Called Oct. 28, spoke with Steve Carpenter, conference coordinator.

Western District Conference

The Western District Conference has a list of various seminary scholarships, loans, and continuing education grants.