SUPPORTING SEMINARY EDUCATION

Theological education has never been an inexpensive enterprise. The upkeep of buildings, staff salaries, and scholarship support for students requires substantial money. But for much of the last century, schools like the American Baptist Seminary of the West were part of denominational systems that generated both dollars and students. Theological education was a given for professional church leaders — and so was institutional provision for the effort.

It’s a different world now. As mainline denominations lose members and offerings, they are forced to carve up ever-smaller budgets among a variety of agencies and judicatories. In American Baptist life, that trend has translated into the dismantling of old funding covenants that automatically sent money to ABC seminaries. The bottom line is that seminaries can no longer count on direct regional support.

While that’s bad news at one level, the reality also prods theological schools to think outside the box — and not just about finances. The purpose of theological education and its partners are now re-imagined.

“Changes in funding arrangements require us to invest energy in new relationships and to be more direct in connecting with churches,” says ABSW President Keith Russell. “Change compels us to be creative, visionary and practical — all at the same time. We have to rethink old assumptions about who theological education is for and how it is sustained. So our capacity to be both critical and creative, which is what we’re committed to cultivating in pastoral leaders, is really sharpened in a moment like this.”

ABSW is responding to this new reality by redoubling its efforts to relate directly to churches and church leaders. Congregations are responding in turn with greater financial support and increased involvement in the seminary’s programs.

“Change is never easy but it’s never boring either,” Russell says. “This is an exciting time for theological education because students, teachers, clergy and lay leaders are collaborating more closely than ever.”

A Deeper Partnership
A growing number of congregations are relating directly to ABSW. Under new funding arrangements, church mission dollars no longer automatically flow to the seminary through American Baptist regions. So congregations must give directly to ABSW or designate their regional offerings for the school. Churches like Bellview Heights Baptist Church in Sun City, Ariz., Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles, Calvary Baptist Church in Denver, Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, First Chinese Baptist Church in San Francisco, and Seattle First Baptist Church are giving directly to ABSW.

In addition to this financial support, churches are participating directly in the training of leaders. Nineteen churches are currently part of ABSW’s “contextualized curriculum,” which locates the classroom in the congregation, immersing students in the practices of church life alongside pastors who serve as teachers and mentors. In the second year of the three-year curriculum, many churches are providing $500 monthly stipends to students as they train in the congregations.

Clergy and lay leaders say the connection has been equally beneficial for them. It provides collegial support and stimulates theological reflection in the church. Increasingly, leaders look to the seminary as a partner in their ministries. In January, 57 leaders spent three days with 18 seminary

students and professors exploring pastoral care in changing contexts. And more leaders are participating in the continuing education programs of the school.

“ABSW is a place where pastoral leaders can come for continuing education and fellowship, and can also be partners in seminary education as teaching pastors and mentors,” says Dr. Nancy Hall, director of continuing education and associate professor of ministry.

For congregations committed to the ongoing spiritual and intellectual development of their leaders, putting ABSW in the budget is a wise investment. ABSW is a community where leaders can find renewal through continuing education events, summer courses, and collegial relationships, Hall says.

But why ABSW when there are other continuing education options? “Because ABSW’s faculty is dedicated to teaching and training people of all ages and backgrounds,” Hall says. “Because in the ABSW community of pastors and churches you will find a wide diversity of ministry professionals for fellowship and shared learning.”

Astonishing Generosity
Paying for seminary is a daunting task for students. Tuition for full-time students who entered last fall is $11,960 a year. Add in books, housing, and fees, and the annual cost is at least $19,000.

Jodie Tooley knows how difficult it is to make it. The first-year student started seminary in Minnesota but had to drop out because she lacked the financial resources. Yet, she promised herself that she wouldn’t reach age 50 without pursuing this dream again.

Today, Tooley is deeply engaged in her studies, thanks to scholarship aid from ABSW and other sources. The support is significant, she says. “It allows me to fulfill a dream and respond to a call,” she adds, noting that scholarship aid for new graduate students is generally hard to come by.

Seventy percent of ABSW students receive financial aid from the school. This year ABSW has received $53,800 in scholarship support from donors.

“The generosity of donors is a lifeline to our students,” says the Rev. Michelle Holmes, vice president. “Even the smallest gifts go a long way toward helping students pay for school.”

In addition to receiving ABSW scholarship aid, 27 students get assistance through the Seminarian Support Program of ABC. Nineteen churches are involved in the SSP program for a total of $24,450 that is matched by the denomination.

Tooley’s home congregation, Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Minneapolis, is one of those supporting churches. Last summer the church sent her off to California with a special event —­ “Jodie’s Berkeley or Bust Fund-Raiser.” Through a luncheon and silent auction, the church hoped to raise the first $1,000, the annual amount that SSP matches. But they raised the entire $3,000 in one day.

“People were so astonishingly generous,” Tooley says.

The day of worship and fellowship included a laying on of hands and the presentation of a prayer shawl to cover Tooley as she joined other seminary students struggling yet faithfully responding to God’s call to ministry.

“I just never felt so loved,” she says.