Commission on Central Conference Theological Education Announces 2017 Grant Recipients

The Commission on Central Conference Theological Education (CCTE) awarded 67 grants totaling more than $1 million to the seven Central Conferences of The United Methodist Church. The grants fund theological education advances at theological institutions, Boards of Ordained Ministry and agencies integrally related to training United Methodist pastors.  

The complete list of CCTE grant recipients is available on www.gbhem.org.  

First approved by the 2012 General Conference and administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), CCTE oversees a $5 million fund for theological education and disburses approximately $1 million in grants annually. The fund was doubled at the 2016 General Conference.  

The CCTE met in Dallas, Texas in December 2016 to review and select the grant recipients from the 76 applications. Ranging from the development of new Course of Study programs and scholarships to creating new libraries and online classes, each grant application details information about the programs or enhancements proposed within one of five categories: 

• Development of theological schools
• Development of Courses of Study programs
• Development of libraries and contextually developed resources
• Scholarships and faculty development
• Support for associations and networks of faculty and schools
• Support for new and innovative approaches to theological education

The commission gives priority to projects that build the capacity of an institution or ministry in an episcopal area, contextual resource development, innovative initiatives and sustainable theological education. All grant recipients are required to submit a project update six months after the financial award is received and an annual report that demonstrates the progress or outcomes for the project.  The money for the CCTE fund comes from the World Service Apportionment Fund, which is essential to the core of the church’s global outreach ministry. The CCTE fund is distributed by the following percentages to the Central Conferences: Africa – 15 percent, Congo – 20 percent, West Africa – 20 percent, Philippines – 15 percent and Europe (all) – 20 percent. 

“The Central Conference Theological Education Fund enhances and supports the mission and ministry of the global church,” said Rev. Greg Bergquist, associate general secretary for the Division of Ordained Ministry at GBHEM. “As our denominational footprint grows around the world, we must financially support that growth – especially in the area of theological education and leadership development – ensuring that we have a clergy with trained minds and warm hearts that are prepared to lead our church towards God’s vision for the future.”

CCTE membership includes three delegates from each Central Conference in Africa and the Philippines. One delegate from each of the three European Central Conferences is represented on the commission as General Conference established that the membership of the commission should be “proportionate” to membership numbers of the conferences. To learn more about CCTE, visit www.gbhem.org.  

About GBHEM: As the leadership development agency of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s mission is to lead and connect the educational and ministerial life of the church. Every elder, deacon and licensed local pastor benefits from our training and candidacy programs. Many young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call on their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM.