Partnering Church Resources
FAQs | Scripture References | IRS Code Letter [PDF]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Partnering Church?
It is a church that partners with a student(s) to help pay for their seminary expenses.
How does the Partnering Church program work?
It is a scholarship fund that is set up within the local church. The money in the fund comes from individuals who donate toward the fund through their church.
How is the money given?
The gifts given to the fund are tax-deductible due to the churches' non-profit status.
- The gift is considered as given to the church.
- Thus, officially it is the church that gives the money to the student.
- This program operates much like gifts to missionaries through missionary societies.
- When the church receives gifts, it places them in the scholarship fund that the church has set up. The church then writes a check to the seminary with the students' name on the memo line or in an attached letter.
- Asbury Seminary receives the check and places it into the student's account.
- The money first goes towards seminary expenses (tuition, room and board, etc.)
- Once the Seminary bill is paid, any additional money remains for the student to spend on other expenses as needed.
How do I get started?
- The student or church contacts the Alumni Office if they require additional information.
- Asbury receives the name, address, and phone number of the church as well as the name of a contact person (if possible).
- We send out a packet of information to the church if requested, which describes the program in detail and gives the steps to set up a scholarship fund.
- The church sets up the fund.
- The church or student is encouraged to advertise that the fund is open (though they often do not).
- The church begins sending checks to the Seminary.
What are the Financial Guidelines?
- If there are multiple students receiving funds from the Partnering Church Program, it is at the discretion of the church as to how those funds will be divided. There are no restrictions or regulations for this matter from Asbury Theological Seminary.
- If one particular student has a greater financial need than another, more funds can be allocated to that student if the church desires.
- If an individual is not concerned about a tax deduction, they can simply write the name of the student who they are contributing to on the memo line of the check to ensure intended allocation of funds.
- If the donor does desire the tax deduction, they cannot write the student name on the check, but can only write the church name on the check, writing "scholarship fund" on the memo line.
Scripture References
The following references speak in various ways of supporting those of the Church who are called to be involved in training for ministry or who are known to be in a significant change of life that others are called to support as they are able.
- Acts 2:44-47 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
- Acts 4:34-37 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
- Acts 24:23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
- 1 Corinthians 9:4 -17 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
- Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
- Ephesians 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
- 3 John 1:5-8 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.