Introducing A New Vision for FTE’s Vocation Network

Over the years, FTE has awarded grants and convened many organizational and institutional partners accompanying young adults in vocational exploration in service to the church, the academy and the world. We have discovered that the process of building learning communities involves strengthening relationships and intentionally designing an experience in which partners journey together around a common commitment to cultivating leaders for the church and academy.

FTE’s ability to reach and resource a critical mass of diverse, young adults exploring creative pathways to ministry relies on our work with a diverse network of institutions.

The greatest learning and acceleration of efforts occur when leaders have opportunities to engage and learn from peers from diverse institutional settings.

Therefore, we will establish a new Vocation Network to carry forward FTE’s work with partner organizations. The Vocation Network will include current and new FTE grant recipients. A new feature of the network includes a Community of Practice Cohort for Christian institutions committed to accompanying a critical mass of 25 or more young adults in vocational exploration and discernment for ministry.

We invite regional networks of churches, denominations, and other church-related organizations accompanying young adults in their vocational exploration and aspiration for Christian ministry to begin or continue their relationship with FTE through one of the opportunities below.

Community of Practice Cohort

The Community of Practice Cohort is a two-year journey of action and reflection with an emerging network of Christian institutions committed to accompanying young adults in vocational exploration and discernment for ministry. Participating institutions will engage the following organizing question: How might Christian institutions create the conditions where diverse, young adults can explore and pursue their passions, purpose, and calling to make a difference in the world through Christian ministry? The Community of Practice Cohort will cultivate leaders’ vocational imagination, discernment practices and curriculum with regard to the interest, capacity, and needs of young adults to explore ministry as a viable way to make a difference in the world. Members of this cohort will be eligible to receive a grant to support their vocation initiatives as well as other benefits. Admission to FTE’s inaugural Community of Practice Cohort of the vocation network is by application only. FTE will select up to 10 organizations to participate.

Applications are due January 31.

Grant Opportunities

The newly redesigned Vocation Network will deepen and strengthen the connections between Christian organizations that receive an FTE grant to support vocation work with young adults in their context. The primary goal of our grantees is to catalyze and mobilize vocational efforts. Grants included in the Vocation Network are Pastoral Internships, Mentoring for Young Adults and Vocational Resources.

Applications are due January 31.