A.M.E. Today

African Methodist Episcopal Church Students Awarded FTE National Leadership Development Fellowships

 
ATLANTA, June 8, 2009 – Five African Methodist Episcopal (AME) students have joined the ranks of rising young Christian leaders in North America as recipients of 2009 Fund for Theological Education (FTE) fellowships.

FTE grants the awards annually to highly gifted and diverse undergraduate, seminary and doctoral students who exemplify the leadership qualities and academic excellence needed to serve as outstanding future pastors and theological educators for a changing church.

Congregations and theological schools across North America face multiple challenges and leadership needs. Today, fewer than seven percent of clergy in most denominations are under age 35, and interest in local congregational ministry among seminary students has declined over the past five years.

According to the results of a new American Religious Identification Survey, the percentage of Americans who define themselves as Christian has dropped from 86 percent in 1990 to 76 percent in 2008. The report also indicates that self-identification with many main denominations is gradually declining. Yet even as some Americans may be moving away from traditional church models, others are increasingly looking to congregations and campuses to meet growing human needs during tough economic times. 

“Across Christian denominations, we need gifted new voices and talents to lead a changing church and increase its impact on local communities everywhere,” said Dr. Trace Haythorn, FTE president. “Supporting these students is one of the best investments we can make in our shared future. FTE Fellows bring their experiences, education and fresh perspectives to a new generation of Christians during a time of great need.”

Justin West, a student at Fuller Theological Seminary, was awarded a 2009 FTE Ministry Fellowship for both his academic achievements and his deep commitment to ministry as a profession.. “It has become increasingly popular for some churches to offer a wide range of ministries to members that simply give members something to do—to the extent that we risk neglecting those who are outside and in need of God’s mercy,” West said. “It’s vital that our churches do not get hung up on themselves and remember to minister outside the walls of the church.”

In 2009, FTE has awarded more than $1.5 million in fellowships and program support to 163 students across the U.S. and Canada, representing more than 30 denominations. Over the past decade, the Fund has awarded $16 million in support to nearly 1,500 students, the majority of whom have pursued ordained ministry, a church-related vocation or a faculty post teaching religion and theology.

Recipients of 2009 FTE Fellowships will also attend leadership development events this year at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va. and at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, where they will connect with peers, faculty mentors and discuss their aspirations for helping shape the church and its mission in the world.

The 2009 African Methodist Episcopal FTE Fellows are:

Mr. Marcus L. Harvey, Emory University – Dissertation Fellow

Ms. Jennifer S. Leath, Yale University – North American Doctoral Fellow

Ms. AnneMarie Mingo, Emory University – North American Doctoral Fellow

Ms. Shakira L. Sanchez-Collins, Yale University – Ministry Fellow

Mr. Justin G. West, Fuller Theological Seminary – Ministry Fellow
 

The Fund for Theological Education is an ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. Since 1954, FTE has awarded nearly 6,000 fellowships in partnership with others committed to the future of quality leadership for the church. For more information and to see a complete list of 2009 FTE fellowship recipients, visit www.thefund.org.