Monday, December 01, 2008

Funding Future Education

I have been writing about the financial crisis and how it is affecting our candidates. Below is my December newsletter article. I want folks to know about the Fund for Theological Education and encourage individuals to check out the following link:

http://www.thefund.org/programs/


The church I attend has started to collect employment opportunities and posting them on their web site. More than ever before, people in our congregation are losing their jobs for reasons beyond their control. The sermon series surrounding Thanksgiving is titled “Firm Footing in a Failing Economy.” I find myself coming to the conclusion that those of us in the church are obligated to not only get on our knees and pray for these difficult times and what they are doing to the “least of these,” but we are also to be the people of “hope.”


All the experts now agree that we are in a “depression,” perhaps as serious as the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Times are difficult and in one month’s time, since writing my newsletter article about hard financial times for the November issue, things have gotten significantly worse. At the same time, both Canada and the USA have had elections and the results tell me that people are looking for hope in the leaders chosen as they promise us “change.”


At Christmas time the news of change and hope are to be found in the words of the angel – “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:9. I encourage everyone to seek their hope in Jesus and to gather together as the covenant people of God in both worship and strategic planning about their futures.


Times such as these will often bring more people to my doorstep. As people discern what it means to lose their job and become more reliant on their Lord they often sense that the hand of the Lord is leading them into ministry. I believe that God calls individuals into ministry through difficult financial times because it causes them to evaluate what is important in their lives. When faith and a relationship with Jesus become the most important, it causes individuals to make their whole life and vocation a service to God. I praise the Lord for that!


At the same time, it brings me back to the reality of the economy. As more individuals are entering ministry there will be a need to prepare those called. It costs significant amounts of money to provide adequate education and formational experiences. It is time for us to become creative and generous. The MFCA Board of Trustees has asked me to document and recommend a plan which will consider the hardship faced by candidates. I hope to do this over the Christmas break. If you want to share your ideas with me, it again would be welcome. Below are two responses I received from a similar request last month.


Have a blessed and hope filled Christmas!


Cor