Leadership Development Scholarship
Applications
Note: Applications for the fall semester are now closed. Applications for the Spring term are open.
Policy and Guidelines
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Leadership Development Scholarship (LDS) is to encourage theological leadership development by offering study grants for education to leaders intending to serve within EMC churches and the Conference.
Funds may be applied to any Christian college/university or seminary/graduate school approved by the Board of Leadership and Outreach.
Funds will normally be applied to a degree program, not on-going professional development seminars or conferences.
Funds will normally go toward degrees in theological and biblical education preparing the pastor or missionary for vocational ministry in the church.
2. Eligibility
The LDS is available to pastors and missionaries who are actively involved in the conference, or EMC seminary students considering vocational service in the EMC or its *affiliated organizations. *Second career ministry candidates pursuing biblical post-secondary education may also be considered. Applicants will have:
Leadership aspirations and capacity
A sense of calling and discernment
A demonstrated ability affirmed by their church
An official letter of recommendation from their home church re: all of the above
*Affiliated Organizations will be approved by the Board of Leadership and Outreach.
*If you are receiving the Barnabas Bursary at Steinbach Bible College, you are not eligible to receive the LDS.
3. Assistance Level
The LDS is calculated based on the number of 3-credit courses (or equivalent) being taken and will vary depending on the number of applicants.
Graduate students are eligible to receive up to $2000 per semester
Students taking part-time studies are eligible to receive a pro-rated scholarship.
Local churches are encouraged to consider matching the scholarship.
4. Application Process
Complete the application form and registration forms
The deadline for application is October 15 for semester one, and March 1 for semester two.
The application process has two steps.
Step One: Submit an application form along with a pastoral reference from your home church. This is a one-time application and reference and it does not need to be repeated in subsequent years in the same degree. The reference form link is on the website.
Step Two: Submit a Registration Record that will be reviewed by your school registrar confirming the number and type of courses you are registered for in that semester. This step is repeated each semester the scholarship is sought.
The Conference Pastor and/or Director of Global Outreach (for missionary applicants) shall evaluate the applications and submit reports to their respective boards for final approval. Scholarship awards will be granted by December 1 for the first semester and April 1 for the second semester.
Scholarship recipients will receive a T4 for the amount of the scholarship.