Leadership Education Grant. Lancaster Mennonite Conference provides scholarship funds to support credentialed and emerging leaders with tuition costs and/or educational materials for leadership education and training. Applications are available from the Leadership Development office and should be submitted no later than Jan 31, May 31 or Sep 30. These scholarships go to persons working with a growth plan in the Leadership Development Program, and who are members of Lancaster Conference churches (the church commits to support part of the educational expense) and are recommended by another leader. The amount will be based on availability of funds, need, number of applicants and references from church leaders.
If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader you can download the application form and information brochure here.
Urban Education Assistance Fund. Lancaster Mennonite Conference supports increasing opportunity in education and church leadership training through the Urban Education Assistance Fund. Grants are given for tuition assistance to urban students or students of color, upon recommendation of their pastor and with the approval of the Conference's Urban Education Assistance Committee.
Application forms are made available in the spring through mailings to the pastors of all Conference churches via the April RESOURCES Packet. The application deadline is July 1.
Eligible applicants must be:
- a member of a Lancaster Mennonite Conference church;
- from an urban setting or a person of color;
- enrolled in a church leadership training program, or
a Mennonite secondary or elementary school, or
a Christian secondary or elementary school, or
in need of tuition assistance for college, vocational or professional schooling.
Money is made available for these grants through the generous support of the Lancaster Conference member churches in their giving to the ministries of the Lancaster Mennonite Conference. Churches are encouraged to support their members with the Conference matching this amount up to a predetermined limit. In this way the Conference works with member churches in supporting Christian education. Total grant amounts will vary depending on the number of eligible applicants and the Conference meeting it's financial goals for the year.
If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader you can download the application form.
- Application Form (please give pages 1 & 2 to your pastor along with his reference form).
Quiet Shouts Seminary Scholarship Fund was established for Lancaster Mennonite Conference Women seminarians. It is awarded yearly to one or more women accepted into accredited seminary Masters degree programs and who are pursuing pastoral studies. Applications are to be submitted to WILS, Lancaster Mennonite Conference office, by May 1 for the academic year beginning in September. Call the Lancaster Mennonite Conference office (717-293-5246) for an application. Number of scholarships and amounts of money granted will be determined by demonstrated need, funds available and number of applicants.
If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader you can download the application form.
Mennonite Mutual Aid (MMA) Grants.
Pastor’s Continuing Education Grant is available to congregations as a Continuing Education grant for Pastoral Staff. The grant provides up to $250 each year matching the congregation’s assistance. The minimum amount is $50.00. The grant is designed to support, enhance, or supplement the local congregation’s efforts to provide continuing education for their pastoral staff. In situations where someone in your training program is part of the existing leadership team and the congregation provides more than $250 of their expenses for training, then the advocate may submit a Continuing Education Grant for Pastoral Staff application.
Ministry Preparation Grant helps cover expenses of students who are training for the pastorate. Eligible students must be enrolled in a pastoral leadership program through a seminary, Bible college, or a conference/denominational program associated with an accredited college and have financial need. MMA will give up to $500, matching the congregation’s assistance.
MMA applications must be made by the congregation’s MMA advocate. If the congregation does not have an advocate, they would need to go through the process to appoint one.
See the Mennonite Education Association website for contact information and also additional grant and scholarship information through Mennonite Church USA.
Charlotte Holsopple Glick Pastoral Leadership Fund helps pay for pastor's and conference minister's education. Grants and loans of as much as $250 for any course work in Mennonite Church theological education are available. Submit applications to Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries, 500 S. Main St., Box 1245, Elkhart, IN 46515-1245, or call (219) 294-7523.
National Clergy Renewal Program is intended to strengthen congregations by providing an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the demands of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal (not vacation) for intentional exploration and reflection, regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry. Each congregation may request up to a total of $30,000 to support the renewal program; up to $10,000 of that may be used by the congregation to fulfill pastoral functions in the pastor’s absence. The congregation must be committed to continue the pastor’s salary and benefits during the renewal program; certify the pastor’s intent to remain for at least one year following the program; and the renewal program must begin within 18 months of notification of the award. Proposals must be postmarked by August 1, and awards will be announced in December. Only pastors with the M.Div. degree are eligible for this award. For information contact Lilly Endowment, 2801 North Meridian Street, PO Box 88068, Indianapolis, IN 46208-0068, (317) 916-7302, or clergyrenewal@yahoo.com.