National Nonprofit Marks Milestone Effort to Find Next Generation of Church Leaders

8/9/2019 National Nonprofit Marks Milestone Effort to Find Next Generation of Church Leaders

1/12

Contact: Kerry Traubert(404) 727-1170

National Nonprofit Marks Milestone Effort

to Find Next Generation of Church Leaders

Growing need for young leaders creates ecumenical leadership gap;

Fund awards $1.5 million in 2008 fellowships, $16 million over decade

ATLANTA, June 2, 2008 Congregations in most Christian denominations feel a growing need to

attract and retain qualified young clergy to their pulpits. As a generation of Baby Boomer pastors

prepares to retire, interest in congregational ministry is declining among students in North American

theological schools. The result is an ecumenical leadership gap that requires investment and

intervention to maintain quality and ward off mediocrity in the ministerial profession, according to

program officers at The Fund for Theological Education (FTE), an Atlanta-based nonprofit.

FTE seeks to reverse a 20-year decline in the number of clergy under age 35 by attracting and

supporting gifted college, seminary and doctoral students whose talents qualify them for any

profession but whose passions draw them toward the mantle of ministry or theological scholarship.

The Fund also aims to improve diversity on the faculties of North American theological schools.

Some call Generation Y the most narcissistic generation in recent history, but thats not what we

see, said Dr. Trace Haythorn, FTE president. We see bellwether Millennials motivated by a passion

for service, deep faith and a heightened interest in social issues. A new generation is stepping up to

explore paths of ministry and theological scholarshipbut theyre redefining what that means for them

and what they seek in the church and its role in society.

This month FTE awards more than $1.5 million in fellowships and support to 162 top students from

40 U.S. states and Canadarepresenting more than 30 denominationsto explore or prepare for

vocations as pastoral ministers or as professors in the theological academy.

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.

This intervention demonstrates that young people answer the call if we offer them support, said

Haythorn. But we have to take support to scale to meet the need for the talented, diverse leadership

congregations and campuses need.

-more-


2/12

2

FTEpage two

FTE Ministry Program Fellowships are awarded to undergraduate students (college juniors and

seniors); entering seminary students nominated by their congregations for awards to match church

support; second-year Master of Divinity students who are nominated by their seminary president or

dean; and recent college graduates who are participants in faith-based volunteer service and are

pursuing a Master of Divinity degree.

FTE Doctoral Program Fellowships are awarded to outstanding doctoral students from

underrepresented racial/ethnic groups who aspire to teach and do research as faculty in theological

schools. More than one-third of theological schools report they do not have a scholar of color on their

faculties. FTE Doctoral and Dissertation Fellowships support talented African-American doctoral

students; the Funds North American Doctoral Fellowships assist African-American, Asian-American,

Native American or Hispanic doctoral students. Both initiatives provide stipends for education-related

expenses and networking support to accelerate completion of the doctoral degree and to obtain

teaching positions.

The 2008 FTE Ministry and Doctoral Fellows will attenda national leadership conference, Next

Generation Leaders: Voices and Vocations that Change the World, to be held June 8-15 at Emory

University in Atlanta.

The Fund for Theological Education is a leading 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 visit www.thefund.org.

# # #

A list of 2008 FTE Fellowship recipients is attached.
http://www.thefund.org/http://www.thefund.org/http://www.thefund.org/


3/12

3

2008 FTE Undergraduate Fellows

Mary Ann Alexander Piedmont College Southern Baptist Church

Daniel R. Awad Gordon College Arabic Evangelical Baptist Church

Tylon S. Axson Howard University Non-denominational

Rachel L. Bennett Chapman University Christian Church (DOC)

Emily S. Brewer Maryville College Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Jeremy L. Brownlee Hanover College United Methodist Church

Maria M. Conroy College of Saint Benedict Roman Catholic Church

Philip M. Cortese Millsaps College Roman Catholic Church

Emily E. Ewing Luther CollegeEvangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Jenny S. Faber University of Kansas Episcopal Church

Cassandra R. Fariss Simpson College American Baptist Church

Kelly J. Forbush Smith College United Church of Christ

Willie D. Francois Morehouse College National Baptist ChurchJessica L. Goad University of Arizona United Methodist Church

Robert M. Goehrke Yale University Assemblies of God (U.S.A.)

Elizabeth G. Greaves Hendrix College Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Nathan J. Grieser Goshen College Mennonite Church

Dylan J. Haro University of La Verne Church of the Brethren

Janell D. Henderson Mary Baldwin College Non-denominational

Nicole Hoskins Spelman College United Church of Christ

Angela N. Hosteltler University of Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church

Stephanie J. Karandy Nazareth College of Rochester United Methodist Church

Julie M. Kozikowski Saint Michael's College Roman Catholic Church

Irvin J. Lilly Lee University Church of God

Tyrone E. McGowan Morehouse College National Baptist Church


4/12

4

Brittany N. McGraw Bluffton University Church of the Brethren

Sarah M. Moran Regis University Roman Catholic Church

Sara J. Moser Northwestern College United Methodist Church

Kaitlin M. Nelson Huron University CollegeEvangelical Lutheran Church inAmerica

Imhotep A. Newsome Howard University Non-denominational

Joel T. Niemann Hastings College Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Christopher L. Owen Marquette University Non-denominational

Koren B. Robins Virginia Wesleyan College United Methodist Church

Anna K. Rohde Concordia CollegeEvangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Emily E. Rowell University of Virginia Episcopal Church

Kelly E. Ryan Grinnell College United Church of Christ

Anthony J. Sandusky American Baptist College Missionary Baptist Church

Caitlin K. Scott Connecticut College Episcopal Church

Karen M. Sease Furman UniversityEvangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Nathan S. Sell University of the South - Sewanee Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Scott A. Shaffer Eastern University United Methodist Church

Sarah L. Sheehan Furman University Southern Baptist Church

Hannah M. Sherrod Maryville College Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Vic D. Short Hastings College Roman Catholic Church

Amy L. Showalter Goshen College Mennonite Church

Timothy D. Siburg Pacific Lutheran UniversityEvangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Nathan Tramp Hastings College Episcopal Church

Joseph S. Vuletich Regis University Roman Catholic Church

Kristen L. Walling American University Christian Church (DOC)

Megan N. Worthman Hastings College United Church of Christ


5/12

5

2008 FTE Congregational Fellows

John J. Alvaro Duke Divinity School Baptist

Kirsten Herndon Baer Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Timothy C. Baer Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Jennifer E. Barchi Princeton Theological Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Cole G. Bentley Wartburg Theological SeminaryEvangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Michelle R. BodleDrew University Theological

SchoolUnited Methodist Church

Erin L. BrodhagenVanderbilt University Divinity

SchoolUnited Methodist Church

Whitney D. BurrVanderbilt University Divinity

School

Evangelical Covenant Church in

America

Kevin G. Caruso Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Catharine A. Cummings Harvard Divinity SchoolChristian Church (Disciples of

Christ)

Lindsey J. De Kruif Western Theological Seminary Reformed Church in America

L. Peter Doddema Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Sara B. Dorrien Columbia Theological Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Christina M. FetherolfMethodist Theological School in

OhioUnited Methodist Church

Carolina C. GlausterUniversity of Chicago Divinity

School

Evangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Jillian L. Greene Princeton Theological Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Eric E. Hoffer Luther SeminaryEvangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Andrew S. Hudson Princeton Theological Seminary Church of God

Scott S. JanzenAssociated Mennonite Biblical

SeminaryMennonite Church


6/12

6

Diane M. Kenaston Candler School of Theology United Methodist Church

Scott R. Korljan Westminster Seminary California Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Matthew A. Laferty Yale University Divinity School United Methodist Church

Megan A. LeCluyse Princeton Theological Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Kari A. Lipke Harvard Divinity SchoolEvangelical Covenant Church in

America

Heather T. LoomisPacific Lutheran Theological

SeminaryEvangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Katelyn B. Macrae Yale University Divinity School United Church of Christ

Ivan Martinez Duke Divinity School Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Gregory E. McIntyre General Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Timothy P. Moore Fuller Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Justin W. Mootz Luther SeminaryEvangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Katherine T. Nakamura Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Kjersten L. PriddyLutheran School of Theology at

Chicago


America

Zeena B. Regis Columbia Theological Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Kristin M. Reinhold Columbia Theological Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Anthony L. Riley Princeton Theological Seminary National Baptist Church

Christina N. Shults Pacific School of Religion Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod)

David C. Sibley General Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Shawn A. Torres Dallas Theological Seminary Baptist

Thomas P. H. Warren Duke Divinity School Episcopal Church

Julia S. Wilkinson Harvard Divinity School Episcopal Church


7/12

7

2008 FTE Ministry Fellows

David J. Allen Duke Divinity School United Methodist Church

Alwen G. Bledsoe Iliff School of Theology Episcopal Church

Benjamin F. ColahanPacific Lutheran Theological

Seminary


America

Mary A. Conley Candler School of TheologyChristian Church (Disciples of

Christ)

Julian M. DeShazierUniversity of Chicago Divinity

SchoolUnited Church of Christ

Melissa A. Granillo Jesuit School of Theology atBerkeley

Roman Catholic Church

Elyse M. Gustafson Duke Divinity School Episcopal Church

Susan M. HaarmanJesuit School of Theology at

BerkeleyRoman Catholic Church

Gretchen S. Haley Iliff School of Theology Unitarian Universalist Association

Megan C. Handley Fuller Theological Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Kathleen A. Healy University of Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church

John M. Helmstadter, II Yale University Divinity School United Methodist Church

Leslie J. Houseworth Candler School of Theology Progressive National Baptist

Jack P. Lewis Eden Theological Seminary United Church of Christ

Laura A. A. McCrae Wesley Theological Seminary United Methodist Church

Waltrina N. Middleton Chicago Theological SeminaryAfrican Methodist Episcopal

Church

Quinn C. Moerike Concordia Lutheran Seminary Lutheran Church Canada

Raymond D. RankerLutheran Theological Seminary at

PhiladelphiaEvangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Ingrid C. A. Rasmussen Candler School of TheologyEvangelical Lutheran Church in

America

Joseph A. SmithHoward University School of

DivinityNational Baptist Church


8/12

8

2008 FTE Volunteers Exploring Vocation Fellows

Adam W. Burgett

US-2 Program of the

United Methodist

Church

Vanderbilt UniversityDivinity School

United MethodistChurch

Jason S. GlombickiLutheran Volunteer

Corps

Lutheran Theology

Seminary atPhiladelphia

Evangelical Lutheran

Church in America

Scott S. Janzen Mennonite VoluntaryService

Associated MennoniteBiblical Seminary

Mennonite Church

Rachel C. I. LongBrethren Volunteer

Service

Harvard Divinity

School

Unitarian Universalist

Association

Hung N. PhamJesuit Volunteer Corps:

Southwest

Jesuit School of

Theology atBerkeley

Roman Catholic

Church

Rory S. PhillipsLutheran Volunteer

Corps

Lutheran School ofTheology at

Chicago


Church in America

Kelly A. SveThe Johnson Intern

Program

North Park Theological

Seminary


Church in America

Caroline H. UnderwoodPCUSA Young Adult

Volunteer Program

McCormick

Theological

Seminary

Presbyterian Church(U.S.A.)


9/12

9

2008 FTE Doctoral Fellows

Lisa M. Bowens Princeton Theological Seminary New Testament

Karl F. Brower Catholic University of America Biblical Studies

Arthur F. Carter, Jr. Vanderbilt University New Testament

Jonathan L. Chism Rice University African American Religions

Christopher E. Harrison Graduate Theological Union Ethics

Jay-Paul M. Hinds Emory University Practical Theology

Erica E. KierulfUnion Theological Seminary and

PSCETheology and Ethics

Gerone H. LockhartBoston University School of

Theology

Practical Theology

Duane T. Loynes Sr. Marquette University Theology

Sarah F. Poole Emory University Practical Theology

Carolyn E. Roberts Harvard University Religion, Gender and Culture

Shively T. J. Smith Emory University New Testament

Lisa L. Thompson Vanderbilt University Homiletics

Jaime L. Waters Johns Hopkins University Hebrew Bible


10/12

10

2008 FTE North American Doctoral Fellows

Stephanie M. Crumpton Columbia Theological Seminary Pastoral Care and Counseling

Cristian De La Rosa Chicago Theological Seminary Sacred Theology

Courtney T. Goto Emory University Practical Theology

Alison A. Hari-Singh

Wycliffe College, University of

Toronto Theology

Naw San Dee KDBrite Divinity School of Texas

Christian UniversityNew Testament

Tamura A. Lomax Vanderbilt University Black Religion/Culture Studies

Eboni K. Marshall Union Theological Seminary Christian Social Ethics

Wendell C. Miller Claremont Graduate University Religion

Constance P. Pope University of Chicago Theology

Kimberly D. Russaw Vanderbilt University Hebrew Bible

Joseph L. Tucker Edmonds Duke University Religion

Manuel Villalobos-MendozaGarrett-Evangelical Theological

SeminaryNew Testament


11/12

11

2008 FTE Doctoral Renewal Fellowships

Sybrina Y. Atwaters Georgia Institute of Technology Religion/Technology

Antonia M. Daymond University of Chicago Theology

Joseph S. Flipper Marquette UniversityHistorical and Systematic

Theology

Alisha L. Jones University of Chicago Sacred Music

Terri Laws Rice UniversityAfrican American Religious

Studies

Jennifer S. Leath Yale University Ethics

Andrew L. Prevot University of Notre Dame Systematic Theology

Shanell T. Smith Drew University New Testament

Sakena D. Young-Scaggs Drew University Religion and Society


12/12

12

2008 FTE Dissertation Fellows

Brian K. Bantum Duke University Systematic Theology

Wylin J. Dassie Emory University Ethics and Society

Keri L. Day Harrison Vanderbilt University Theological Ethics

Derek S. Hicks Rice University Religious Studies

Monique N. Moultrie Vanderbilt University Ethics

Nichole R. Phillips Vanderbilt University Religion and Psychology

Amy E. Steele Vanderbilt University Ethics

Jeffery R. Thomas Claremont School of Theology Theology and Personality

Joseph R. Winters Princeton University Religion, Ethics and Politics

Almeda M. Wright Emory University Practical Theology

Documents

National Nonprofit Marks Milestone Effort to Find Next Generation of Church Leaders