Did you know that 39% of RCA congregations that have been started in the last three years are racial ethnic in composition, and 47% of those planned for the future are as well? Western has developed an intentional 3-part strategy to help prepare some of the leadership for these and other racial ethnic congregations.
- Fund scholarships for the Graduate Certificate in Urban Pastoral Ministry (GCUPM) program. This eight course program provides theological education for people who are called to serve the church in urban ministry settings. Many of the participants are people already serving in an urban context and the cost of theological education is difficult. The establishment of ten $1,000 scholarships will make this education affordable. These scholarships are funded annually.
Status: $10,000 annually is needed to support this program
- Establish two full-tuition scholarships annually for Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree candidates. These scholarships will cover the cost of tuition at Western annually.
Status: An endowment of $400,000 has been given to fund the first of these scholarships. $800,000 more is needed to complete this funding.
- Hire Faculty Fellows. Western will hire up to two racial ethnic scholars who are in the process of completing Ph.D. work in a seminary related field. These Faculty Fellows will teach part-time at Western while completing their Ph.D. studies in hopes they may be viable faculty hires at the completion of their degree program. Each Faculty Fellow receives housing and a stipend for an estimated cost of $40,000 per year per fellow.
Status: Eric Williams, the first of these Faculty Fellows, taught at WTS from 2009-11. Our second Faculty Fellow, Bernard "Chris" Dorsey, started in the Fall of 2011.
Status: $40,000-$80,000 annually is needed to support this program
If you would like to contribute to one of these exciting projects or would simply like additional information, please contact the Advancement Office (800) 392-8554 or advancement@westernsem.edu.