Christian Studies

Important Information for 2025 onwards

As of 1 July 2025, the St John's College Trust Board has introduced a new methodology for the distribution of funding for scholarships within the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

Within Tikanga Pākehā, a fixed amount for scholarship funding for at least 2026 and 2027 will be distributed to each Diocese, giving the Diocesan leadership autonomy in determining the process for receiving, assessing, approving and allocating scholarships.

Please note: Ongoing scholarships approved in or before 2025 will continue to be funded via the original St John's process, utilising the same submission of continuation applications.

As a Diocese, we have significantly less scholarship funds available than has been utilised in the past. As a result, we have set priorities for scholarship distribution. All are welcome to apply on the understanding this is a grant application — even if you fit all the ideal criteria, there may not be a grant. We encourage you to also pursue other opportunities for funding support.

Who this is for

This scholarship is for anyone growing in ministry and leadership across our Diocese — including clergy, vocational leaders, and lay leaders active in their local ministry context.

Prioritisation Criteria

Primary priority for scholarships for Christian education will be given to those currently in the vocational leadership pathway, and to vocational leaders.

Second priority will be given to those who are actively demonstrating discipling leadership in their local ministry context, and whose study will directly impact the local community and Diocese (and therefore Province) in making and forming disciples. While those seeking to pursue postgraduate study are welcome to apply, priority will be given to undergraduate applicants.

Funds are available for course/paper fees only (i.e. does not include books, or course travel/accommodation costs).

Expectations

In applying, we expect that you are asking only for what you need. Our assumption is that if you can afford to, you will fund your own learning, so other Diocesan family members who can't afford to can still access these funds for their development.

All successful applicants will commit to a development plan, set between you, your local faith community Vicar/leader, and a member of the Bishops' Office Mission and Ministry Team (e.g. Richard Apperley or Gendy Thomson). This will relate to development in your areas of ministry including discipling and leading others.

If you would like to discuss this further before applying, please contact Richard Apperley on richard@anglicanmovement.nz.

A note on the application form

The application form hasn't yet been updated for this round, so please note:

• The form asks that you have discussed your intention to apply, and the details of your application, with Gendy Thomson. This contact has changed — please instead contact Richard Apperley (richard@anglicanmovement.nz).

• The form doesn't yet include a section on the new children and youth safety training module. If you've completed this training, please note it in the "any other information you wish to submit" field.

Applications for new scholarships close midnight, 18 October 2026.

Continuing scholarship applications

There are currently two application forms for continuing scholarships depending on when you originally applied for funding: