wfn.org | United Methodist seminaries receive grants to develop church

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leaders 

Dec. 2, 1998	Contact: Linda Green((615)742-5470(Nashville, Tenn.
{710}
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Seven United Methodist-related seminaries
received  approximately $1.5 million each to find and develop new
generations of pastors and church leaders. 

The seminaries were among 58 theological schools receiving $55 million
in grants from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment, a foundation that
supports causes of religion, education and community development. 
 
The United Methodist theological schools receiving grants are Boston
University School of Theology, Boston, Mass.; Candler School of
Theology, Atlanta; Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, Calif;
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Ill.; Perkins School
of Theology, Dallas; Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, Mo.;
and Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington.  There are 13 United
Methodist-related schools of  theology in the United States.

The grants will support two different theological school programs-one to
help seminaries attract leaders for local congregations and the other to
help them interest high school students in pursuing careers as pastors.

According to Craig Dykstra,  vice president for religion at Lilly, the
aim in providing the two grant programs is to give major support to
those theological schools that can successfully call, train and support
new leaders for Christian congregations.

"For seven out of our 13 schools to be among the recipients is a
powerful statement about the programs our schools are offerings and
symbolizes their important role in the world of theological education,"
said the Rev. John Harnish,  staff executive in the section of elders
and local pastors at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and
Ministry. "These grants will go a long way in empowering new initiatives
in our schools in preparing a new generation of Christian leaders."

All 202 theological schools in the United States and Canada that are
accredited by the Association of Theological Schools were invited to
apply for either or both programs.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
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http://www.umc.org/umns/