How to Fund Your Continuing Education—and Why it Matters

Some of us are blessed enough to work in congregations where funding for continuing education is more than sufficient.

For example, the first parish I served was heavily endowed, and they generously funded 95% of my Doctor of Ministry degree.

Thanks be to God they did, because twenty years later when I founded Backstory Preaching, that degree made a material difference towards the fruitfulness of this ministry that now affects thousands of preachers every year.

The congregation I served after the first one couldn’t come close to matching what I received from the first one, and I missed out on some great learning opportunities.

In part this was due to the parish budget.

The parish valued continuing education with the line item reflecting what was both generous and careful.

However, it’s also in part because I didn't ask.

In fact, it didn't even occur to me that I could. Or should.

Truth be told, even if it had occurred to me, I would have felt WAY too uncomfortable broaching the subject.

It’s too bad I gave in to my discomfort because if I had asked and they had agreed, based on the impact of my D.Min. through Backstory Preaching, it’s possible the Church might be benefitting in ways I literally can't imagine today.

If the parish budget doesn’t cover the cost of the continuing education, and we feel we need to be the best leader and preacher we can be, why might we be reluctant to ask for it?

What might give us the courage to ask?

reasons We Don't Ask

We're afraid we’re Asking Too Much

We might worry that people will perceive we feel ungrateful for the support we already receive from the congregation. 

We’re afraid we might come across as demanding or greedy. 

Our parishioners are already generous in funding our stipends, health care, and the ministry of the church, that asking for any or more money for continuing education might feel disrespectfully over the top.

Moreover, the economy is going who knows where?

Some in our congregations may be barely making ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck, and the economic uncertainty isn't helping. 

If we feel like we're asking people to give what they don't have? Ouch. 

We're afraid we’re Asking for Something "Special"

We might also worry that continuing education is seen as a luxury rather than a necessity, and if so,  we might feel guilty for even thinking of asking. 

That’s how I felt.

In addition, many of us come from childhood homes when asking for anything was not well received, so we learned not to ask even for things we do need. 

As a result, many of us never learned how to ask.

We Think asking Is About Us

We might think that asking to fund our continuing education is about us. 

That is, that we're asking for something for us, personally. 

Like we're asking for something selfish that benefits only ourselves, as if continuing education was a personal possession. 

Family of Origin and Cultural Expectations may Dissuade Us

Precious few of us grow up learning how to talk about money. 

We've been socially conditioned to keep silent on this topic, but conditioned silence nearly always breeds shame. 

Shame is never in service of the gospel.

If we’re from such a family, shame might well up, because in asking for financial help, we’d be breaking our family code.

I do note and respect that there are variations in cultural attitudes regarding talking about money, but that’s beyond the scope of this article.

Whether a cultural norm held by the congregation or preacher is in service of the gospel or hinders it can only be answered by the preacher.

Reasons we can Ask

It's Not About Us, It's About Them

Asking for financial support for our continuing education is not about us.

Continuing education is for them, the ones we serve.

Our parishioners are not only the recipients of what we learn, they are also investing in the future of the Church when we take what we learn wherever we serve. 

I’m the living example of this, and I’m not the only one!

It's necessary for us to learn and grow for us to serve skillfully, faithfully, and with joy, so that we're  leading those we serve to be faithful and joyful in their ministries.

In short, asking for continuing education to be funded is not a transaction, but a sacred ministry partnership.

Money Is a Tool

We've heard often that "money is the root of all evil," but that's wrong. 

Love of money—greed and self-interest—is the root of all evil. But because money is often used to fund greed and self-interest, we accidentally conflate the two.

However, they are separate.

Money is a tool, pure and simple.

Unto itself, it’s neither good or bad. It’s just a thing.

It’s the meaning we put on top of it that gets us into trouble.

The alternative to offering money in exchange for a service is bartering, but there really isn't a service we can offer in exchange for continuing education. 

We already invite people to church for free, so inviting an online instructor to hear one of our sermons in exchange for the course isn't going to pay their bills!

Money is the means we have available in exchange for this service.

When we think of what we need (continuing education) and what’s required to participate (funding), then the right tool is money.

If parishioners want their leaders to be vibrant, growing in wisdom and serving them well, then we need the funds to make it happen throughout our careers.

We Model Mentioning the Unmentionable

When we ask for financial support openly, we model transparency and vulnerability—not only when talking about money, but also for all the subjects we're never supposed to mention.

When we demonstrate humility, sincerity, and integrity in asking, we show that difficult, squirm-worthy topics can be brought from the shadows into the light, fostering relationships of openness and support.

We become the change we want to see.

This is how families, congregations, and cultures change: when we refuse to let shame or discomfort dictate the terms and instead choose courage, hope, and building the reign of God. 

We’re part of the solution

We don’t only ask parishioners to go beyond the congregational budget.

If we’re asking them to chip in extra, we can do the same.

If we value continuing education for ourselves because it’s good for our spirits to remain curious about and interested in our ministry, and we don’t want to burn out before the end, then we can also help fund our educations.

We can demonstrate that we’re serious enough about growing that we, too, will fund a portion of the cost.

If they can sacrifice, so can we.

We are one body, in it together.

How to ask—and other Ideas to fund Continuing ed)

While I hope this article has so far provided courage to ask for what you need in order for you to keep learning and growing in your preaching and preaching life, we know it’s not quite that simple.

How to ask? What to say?

Are there other avenues you can pursue in addition?

Yes!

That’s why we put together this guide to funding your continuing education—with practical suggestions from Backstory Preaching program participants who’ve used these ideas to secure funding for their own continuing ed.

The guide also includes templates for reaching out to your parish, family, or friends for support via email, social media, a church bulletin post, or newsletter.

You can adapt the language to your interest and voice, but the text will give you a starting place to make it easier.

We hope you’ll pursue the continuing ed you need for the sake of the gospel.

And we encourage you to invite those around you to partner in this good work which may produce fruit for years to come.