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Leadership Training Matching Grant program

Program changes effective June 1, 2007

Financial help for full-time students

• to encourage more people to enter ministry leadership training
• to encourage churches to more actively discern those with potential for full-time ministry

• Purpose of the grant
• How it works
• Eligible students
• The role of the supporting church
• Personal profile
• Typical process of application
• Participating schools
• Application deadlines
• Contact information

Purpose of the grant

The Leadership Training Matching Grant is a program of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (CCMBC) designed to encourage more people to enter ministry leadership training, and to encourage churches to more actively discern those with potential for full-time ministry. The grant covers the cost of tuition by 50% for full-time Mennonite Brethren (MB) students enrolled at the MB Seminary. For students in their final year of a degree program at a MB undergraduate school, the grant matches the supporting church’s financial contribution up to $1,000.00.

How it works

• CCMBC partners with the local church with each providing 25% of tuition for MB Seminary students. Students are responsible for the remaining 50% of their tuition costs.
  • LTMG funding is limited to two years of study for Master of Arts programs and three years of study for Master of Divinity programs.
• Students in their final year of study at a MB undergraduate school intending to pursue pastoral ministry are also eligible for LTMG funding.
  • The grant supports graduating students by matching their supporting church’s financial support up to $1,000.00.
  • Future eligibility for LTMG funding for seminary studies will require a new application and discernment process.
• This grant does not limit eligibility for other scholarships and remaining funds may be applied to living expenses after tuition has been paid.
• CCMBC will rely almost entirely on the discernment process of the local church in determining a student’s eligibility for grant funding.

Eligible students

You must meet the following requirements:

• Be a member of a Mennonite Brethren church in Canada for at least six months prior to the date of the application;
• Be active in volunteer or paid ministry in your local church;
• Be accepted as a student in a participating MB school on a full-time basis (minimum 9 credit hours per semester);
• Achieve a passing grade in all courses funded and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5;
• Intend to pursue a pastoral ministry or a global mission assignment with the Mennonite Brethren upon graduation;
• Undergraduate students should complete a discernment process with their pastor. Graduate students should complete a thorough discernment process with their congregation.
• Submit a completed application.
• Some limits apply.

The role of the supporting church

The supporting church is expected to make the following commitments to the student:

• Identify the student through gift discernment;
• Publicly acknowledge to the congregation (i.e., announcement, bulletin, newsletter) the discernment process and affirm the call to ministry for the student;
• Make a commitment to support the student and provide for financial resources for a designated length of time, normally through the duration of the student’s study program.

Personal profile

Preparation for a discernment meeting is critical. Basic self-awareness is necessary to adequately prepare. Contact the LTMG administrator at 1-888-669-6575 for a list of suggested tools and inventories. Finding Leaders for Tomorrow’s Churches contains “The Qualities for Ministry Guide.” Use these resources in preparing your personal profile.

Your profile should include:

• a description of significant transition points in your life and how they have shaped you
• a description of church, school, and community activities you have been involved in
• a description of your talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts
• personal reflections on your character
• a description of your personality
• your testimony
• a statement of your career goals and/or ministry objectives
• your resume

Typical process of application

1. Student or local church contacts the CCMBC office for an information application package. This can occur up to one year prior to beginning enrollment in the school.
2. Local church and student complete:
   1. A ministry discernment process
   2. Their respective sections of the LTMG application
3. CCMBC will send copies of letter of acceptance confirming LTMG funding to the student, their supporting church, and the participating school.

Participating schools

The following educational institutions are participants in the LTMG Program:

• MB Biblical Seminary – Fresno, Calif.; Langley, BC; Winnipeg, Man.
• École de théologie évangélique de Montréal – ETEM* (the MB college in Québec)
• Columbia Bible College* (Abbotsford, BC)
• Bethany College* (Hepburn, Sask.)
• Canadian Mennonite University* (Winnipeg, Man.)

* Student must in the final year of a degree program.

Application deadlines

• Deadline for applications is six weeks prior to the beginning of a semester.
• Apply early as funds are limited.

Contact information

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