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Grace
Bible-Presbyterian Church
Study Grant (Scholarships) for Bible/Theological Courses
Session has proposed a study
grant (scholarship) for Church members to attend Bible or other
Christian theological courses. The grant will be in the form of
a cash subsidy to encourage members to attend such courses and
to lighten the financial outlay of the members when attending
these courses.
Introduction & Purpose of Scheme
As a response to comments made during the Church's ACM held on
25 Feb, 2007 about the need for training in evangelism of members
and future leaders of the church, session has deliberated on the
matter, and came up with this proposal. Also, this proposal serves
to encourage members to have a deeper understanding and knowledge
of the Bible through courses, with a hope of kindling a passion
for a full-time ministry in the Church.
The purpose of this scheme is therefore to help groom future Church
leaders and Bible teachers by reducing the financial burden of
attending relevant courses. It is also hoped that by making the
grant available, more members will be motivated to attend such
courses as part of their Christian discipleship training and,
just as important to the Church, that the members will come forward
and attend such courses as a contribution to the teaching mission
of the Church, as we read in Matthew 28:20 about Jesus telling
his disciples: ".. teaching them to observe all things ..
I have commanded you ..".
This scheme will supplement the Bible seminars, invited speakers,
evangelism classes, etc., which have so far been conducted in
Church or by other churches. It is felt that such short and general
("mass appeal") seminars and talks may not cover the
entire scope of training needs of the individual member, whose
interests may be more specific or for more in-depth courses. With
this scheme, members may be sponsored to attend, for example,
longer-term courses, perhaps even leading to certificate or diploma,
etc., levels.
Administration and Quantum of Study Grant
Applicants for the grant should be full members of the Church,
and need to submit details of the course (course title and description,
dates/duration and fee) to the Church administration, which we
will channel it to Session to make the final decision about the
sponsorship. This will not normally be denied except for doctrinal
reasons (e.g. if the course is suspected to be not doctrinally
sound).
The subsidy will be paid out upon presentation of the course fee
bill/receipt.
The following scheme is proposed (this may be modified later after
we have gained some experience):
Course fee Church Grant/Subsidy
- Up to $200 100% of fee
- $200 - $500 100% of fee for first $200,
then 80% for the rest.
- $500 - $1000 100% of fee for first
$200, then 80% for $200 to $500, then 60% for the rest.
- Above $1000 100% of fee for first $200,
then 80% for $200 to $500, then 60%for $500 to $1000, then 40%
for the rest .
A member may be granted a
subsidy up to a maximum level of $1000 per year and $2500 over
a 5-year period.
However, if a member intends to take up a formal course leading
to a qualification (certificate, diploma or degree) in Christian
theology or ministry, he should speak with any session member,
and the funding will be arranged separately (different from the
above table).
As a means of budgeting, we anticipate that up to about $8000
can be made available for this financial year.
Pastor will assist in identifying suitable courses and making
them known to the members through the notice board.
May God bless us all in this effort.
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