GBHEM Announces $2 Million in Grants to Expand the Capacity for Theological Education Around the World

The Commission on Central Conference Theological Education Fund (CCTEF) awarded 96 grants totaling $2 million to the seven Central Conferences of The United Methodist Church. The grants fund theological education initiatives at theological institutions, Boards of Ordained Ministry and associations integrally related to training United Methodist pastors around the world. Administered by GBHEM, the CCTEF was first approved by the 2012 General Conference. The 2016 General Conference approved $10 million from the World Service Apportionment Fund, doubling the original $5 million allocated.   

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

The commission met in Nashville in early December 2017 to review the 117 CCTEF grant applications that were submitted for review. The grant requests included a range of projects from clergywomen consultations and clinical pastoral education to creating new libraries and opportunities for faculty development.   

Applications must address one of the five categories for the CCTEF: 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, and support for new and innovative approaches to theological education.  

“The Central Conference Theological Education Fund is a major resource in our work to build capacity and access to theological education around the globe,” explained Greg Bergquist, associate general secretary for the Division of Ordained Ministry at GBHEM. “We are resourcing institutions of theology to educate, train and equip diverse clergy leaders to guide our church now and into the future.” 

 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 and an annual report that demonstrates the progress/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 due date for 2018 CCTEF grant applications is September 15, 2018. The next meeting of the commission is November 28 to December 1, 2018, in Nashville.

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 build capacity for United Methodist lay and clergy leaders to discover, claim and flourish in Christ’s calling in their lives, by creating connections and providing resources to aid in recruitment, education, professional development and spiritual formation. 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 in their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM.