Eleven United Church of Christ students have joined the ranks of rising young Christian leaders in North America as recipients of 2009 Fund for Theological Education (FTE) fellowships.

FTE grants the awards annually to highly gifted and diverse undergraduate, seminary and doctoral students who exemplify the leadership qualities and academic excellence needed to serve as outstanding future pastors and theological educators for a changing church.

Congregations and theological schools across North America face multiple challenges and leadership needs. Today, fewer than seven percent of clergy in most denominations are under age 35, and interest in local congregational ministry among seminary students has declined over the past five years.

According to the results of a new American Religious Identification Survey, the percentage of Americans who define themselves as Christian has dropped from 86 percent in 1990 to 76 percent in 2008. The report also indicates that self-identification with many main denominations is gradually declining. Yet even as some Americans may be moving away from traditional church models, others are increasingly looking to congregations and campuses to meet growing human needs during tough economic times.

"Across Christian denominations, we need gifted new voices and talents to lead a changing church and increase its impact on local communities everywhere," said Trace Haythorn, FTE president. "Supporting these students is one of the best investments we can make in our shared future. FTE Fellows bring their experiences, education and fresh perspectives to a new generation of Christians during a time of great need."

Aaron Ban. Photo provided.

Aaron Ban, a student at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, was awarded a 2009 FTE Ministry Fellowship for both his academic achievements and his deep commitment to ministry as a profession.. "The culture of affluent materialism and hyper-individualism does not define me," Ban said. "Some people replace God with their career, money or social status ... I learned from my grandpa years ago that I can only hope to get a bucket of hope from the ocean that is God. In the last few years, I have concluded that even a small bucket is enough."

In 2009, FTE has awarded more than $1.5 million in fellowships and program support to 163 students across the U.S. and Canada, representing more than 30 denominations. Over the past decade, the Fund has awarded $16 million in support to nearly 1,500 students, the majority of whom have pursued ordained ministry, a church-related vocation or a faculty post teaching religion and theology.

Recipients of 2009 FTE Fellowships will also attend leadership development events this year at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va., and at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, where they will connect with peers, faculty mentors and discuss their aspirations for helping shape the church and its mission in the world.

The 2009 United Church of Christ FTE Fellows are:
-- Aaron D. Ban, Eden Theological Seminary – Ministry Fellow
-- Tianna Y. Boyd, Chicago Theological Seminary – Ministry Fellow
-- Kelly M. Colwell, Iliff School of Theology – Congregational Fellow
-- Stephanie M. Crumpton, Columbia Theological Seminary – Dissertation Fellow
-- Megan M. Culbertson, Simpson College – Volunteers Exploring Vocation Fellow
-- Jenny S. Faber, Eden Theological Seminary – Congregational Fellow
-- Erica E. Kierulf, Union Theological Seminary and PSCE – Doctoral Renewal Fellow
-- Leah E. Lyman, Candler School of Theology – Undergraduate Fellow
-- Christophe Ringer,Vanderbilt University – North American Doctoral Fellow
-- Zayna H. Thompson McCollum, Elmhurst College – Undergraduate Fellow
-- Marlene Q. Underwood, Drew University – Doctoral Fellow

The Fund for Theological Education is an ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. Since 1954, FTE has awarded nearly 6,000 fellowships in partnership with others committed to the future of quality leadership for the church. For more information and to see a complete list of 2009 FTE fellowship recipients, visit <thefund.org>.