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TIMOTHY SCHOLARS PROGRAM |
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I. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
THE MISSION of the “Timothy Scholars Program” is to prepare a cohort of qualified teaching scholars for emerging positions in practical and missional theology which focus on formation for ministry with young people. Timothy Scholars will customarily be located in practical theology but may be located in any academic discipline, and must demonstrate vocational interest in teaching in areas related to youth/young adult ministry. Candidates who qualify to take part in the Timothy Scholars program must also demonstrate a record of excellence in pastoral ministry with young people.
The Timothy Scholars Program is underwritten by the United Methodist-affiliated Foundation for Evangelism. Because the Foundation anticipates that a disproportionate number of new faculty positions in this area will be located in Methodist-related schools, Timothy Scholars who are not from a Wesleyan tradition are required to take one course in United Methodist history, doctrine, or polity during their Ph.D. programs. All Timothy Scholars must meet requirements for formation and church service during their programs.
Timothy Scholars receive full tuition, teaching assistant stipends of $17,500 spread over five years, and $13,000/year stipend for five years (or until the scholar takes full-time employment, whichever comes first). In addition, Timothy Scholars’ expenses are underwritten (up to $1000/year) for participation in professional meetings where peer mentoring with other currently funded Timothy Scholars takes place.
II. REQUIREMENTS OF TIMOTHY SCHOLARS
A. Admissions requirements:
Timothy Scholars commit to a course of study that prepares them for teaching in practical theology and mission with young people. They apply and meet the standards for admission to the Ph.D. program set forth by Princeton Theological Seminary, In addition, Timothy Scholars complete the “Timothy Scholars Application Form” available on the seminary website with the Ph.D. application form, and obtain two relevant references specific to the candidate’s youth ministry experience and potential as a leader in the field, and return these with their application for admission to the Ph.D. program. The deadline for Ph.D. applications also the deadline for applying to be as Timothy Scholar.
NOTE: Eligibility for the Timothy Scholars Program does not guarantee admission into the Ph.D. program at Princeton Theological Seminary. Similarly, ineligibility for the Timothy Scholars Program does not disqualify a candidate from admission to the Ph.D. program.
B. Academic requirements:
Timothy Scholars must successfully complete all aspects of the Ph.D. program according to the standards set forth by their academic departments.
C. Denominational requirements:
Timothy Scholars may be from any theological or denominational tradition, and are admitted to the Ph.D. program without regard to denominational affiliation. However, since the program hopes to prepare viable candidates for positions in youth/young adult ministry in United Methodist and Methodist-affiliated institutions, students from Wesleyan backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. Those students admitted to the program who are not United Methodist must complete one course in United Methodist doctrine, history, or polity during their funding period (the course may be completed at Princeton Seminary or at another institution).
D. Formation requirements:
Because research has identified vocational relationships as key to one’s longevity in ministry, the Timothy Scholars program intentionally brings scholars into the Ph.D. program in pairs, and assigns a program mentor to oversee the formation requirements of the program, to conduct the annual peer mentoring experience, and to keep track of scholars’ church service requirements. The program mentor is a faculty member (with a Ph.D.) who teaches practical or missional theology for the formation of ministry with young people, who may be (but need not be) from the host school. The program mentor is designated by the Foundation for Evangelism, and reports annually on the progress of scholars in the program. Currently Kenda Creasy Dean, Associate Professor of Youth, Church and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary, serves in this role.
(a) Annual peer mentoring. “Currently funded” Timothy Scholars meet for annual peer mentoring with other “currently funded” Timothy Scholars. Normally, the annual peer mentoring experience will take place in tandem at a professional meeting appropriate to students’ vocational interests, in order to help them establish professional connections in the field.
(b) Ongoing spiritual guidance. Timothy Scholars participate in some form of ongoing spiritual guidance (spiritual direction, covenant-discipleship groups, mentoring experiences, etc.) for the duration of their funding period. Scholars will establish these relationships on their own and notify the program mentor of the form of guidance they are receiving.
E. Service to the church:
The Timothy Scholars Program acknowledges its indebtedness to the United Methodist Church, and the likelihood that many new positions in practical theology and mission with young people may disproportionately be in Methodist contexts, thanks to the influence of the Foundation for Evangelism in helping schools develop new positions. Therefore, in order to: (1) share the wisdom of these young scholars with the broader church; (2) offer Timothy Scholars experience prior to their teaching posts, especially in translating theological education for practitioners in youth/young adult/campus ministry; and (3) give them exposure to and experience in United Methodist contexts, “currently funded” Timothy Scholars are expected to serve the church through the following:
a) Annual leadership in some form of United Methodist youth, campus, or young adult ministry (i.e., sponsored by the UMC or affiliated agency, a local congregation, or supervised by a United Methodist pastor) such as continuing education, leadership development, youth ministry training events, or direct-service opportunities with youth themselves such as camps, conferences, etc.
b) Annual leadership teaching practical theology and mission with young people in a Presbyterian Church (USA) setting (i.e, Princeton Theological Seminary, a congregation in the Princeton area that is related to the seminary, or an event sponsored by the PC[ USA] to acknowledge the program’s indebtedness to the tradition hosting the Timothy Scholars program.It is up to each scholar to identify these opportunities in consultation with the program mentor.
(NOTE: African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal-Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, or pan-Methodist events may be substituted fro United Methodist service, in consultation with the program mentor.)
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