Theological education and formation for more effective ministry does not cease with the completion of studies for National Ordained or Local Ordained Ministry. The Knox Centre of Ministry and Leadership wishes to help all leaders in the church in whatever role grow their capacity for effective ministry.
The church also requires its ministers to engage in continuing ministry formation. Ministers are required to obtain at least 70 Continuing Ministry Formation (CMF) points every 7 years. They obtain these points by attending short-term courses or programmes, or by taking study leave. Detailed regulations are found in the Book of Order.
Staff at the Knox Centre of Ministry and Leadership are available to consult with ministers planning or undertaking study leave. Enquiries may be made directly to them or through the Principal.
Applications for Ministers Study Grants for National Ordained and Local Ordained Ministers in good standing with the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand may be submitted to the Registrar by the end of March and September each year. These grants are made possible through the generosity of the Mary Ann Morrison and M S Robertson estates and are administered by the Senatus of the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership.
Priority is normally given to assisting with the payment of course fees. Other costs associated with undertaking certain courses of study are considered on a case by case basis, but do not include the purchase of books or equipment. Study grants may be held in conjunction with other scholarships and grants other than the Begg-Dickie Postgraduate Scholarship. Grants are not normally made retrospectively and relate only to costs to be incurred by the scholarship holder themselves.
Applicants are asked to address the criteria and set out their expected costs including conference fees, tuition fees, basic accommodation and travel, and to supply any other information that may be relevant.
The Begg-Dickie Postgraduate Scholarship is awarded annually to a recent graduate of the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership in order to support doctoral or other postgraduate research.
The University of Otago Master of Ministry degree requires at least three years practice in ministry and an ongoing ministry sufficient to form the basis for action-reflection teaching. Further information can be obtained from the University of Otago Department of Theology and Religious Studies.
Each summer in conjunction with the University the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership shares in the hosting of a one week block course with a significant overseas scholar. In 2005 it was Dr. Walter Brueggemann (Old Testament), in 2006 Dr. Ellen Cherry (Theology), in 2007 Dr. Joel Green (New Testament), and in 2008 Theology and the Arts with Professor Trevor Hart.
Purpose: "To provide scholarships for the purpose of assisting graduate students ordinarily resident in New Zealand and selected by the Committee to pursue graduate studies outside of New Zealand with the object of helping to provide enlightened consecrated advanced leadership in New Zealand in the fields of Christian Education and Social Science"
The Scholarship was created in 1977 following bequests from the late Rev Robert Blair and his widow Marion Gilchrist Blair. It is particularly concerned with the areas of youth ministry, adult education and social services. Full details are in the 1977 General Assembly White Book, pp.259-261.
This is one of a relatively few number of scholarships administered through the church which do not require that the recipient be an ordained minister.
Enquiries may be made to the Registrar, School of Ministry, Knox College, Dunedin 9010.
Write your application as a separate document and attach it to a covering letter addressed to the Registrar. Treat this as a formal letter akin to a job application and provide brief answers to basic questions that a committee looking at applications might be expected to ask about what you will be doing, and when and where, and how it will benefit the church through enhancing your ministry.
It is acceptable to provide reasonable estimates of costs when exact figures are not available, but you should be definite about what you intend to do. You cannot expect a grant towards something you just "might" be doing.