Sustainable funding and theological education

An Increase blog post by Ann Borquist...

Financial sustainability is a common concern of TEE (Theological Education by Extension) movements across Asia. If you are keen to learn about practical strategies for fundraising, watch the two videos on the Increase website.

STRENGTHENING LOCAL CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS

Rajendra from Tearfund Nepal presents several practical suggestions in a 7-minute video:

• Build relationships between the local church and theological institutions. Communicate regularly with local church leaders about the theological education (TE) resources and programmes that will strengthen them.

  
  

• Raise financial and prayer support in local churches to minimise dependency on support from other parts of the world.

  
  

• Tap into indigenous resources to ensure TE is relevant, accessible and affordable.

When local church leaders understand and experience the critical role TE plays in training leaders, they will be motivated to contribute to the support of TE programmes.

BUILDING LOCAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Tanka Subedi of ITEEN Nepal says it is imperative to develop local support for TE from students, group leaders, churches and mission partners, and also by selling items such as books, Bible covers, cups, T-shirts and so on.

Another strategy is to encourage TE students to set aside a small amount of money each day while they are studying. At the end of the course, they give the money to the TE programme to cover costs.

Ideally the TE programme raises at least 25% of total income from local sources. This is especially important in contexts where the local government is restricting the flow of foreign funds into the country.

In his 6-minute video Tanka encourages TE leaders to invest in farming and other income-generating activities, as well as in the stock market. However, he notes that these strategies require people with training and expertise to create and manage the programmes.

Tanka emphasises the importance of sharing impact stories with donors to ‘put a face’ on the TE programme, and also invite them to contribute towards the specific needs of the programme. These may include staff development and up-to-date equipment such as cameras and laptops.