The Church Affiliate Program: Your Top Questions Answered

Curious about the Colson Fellows Church Affiliate program? You’re in the right place.  

I’m interested in launching a Church Affiliate. Where do I start? 

Reach out through the “Let’s Get Started” form on our website. Our Church Affiliate Relationship Manager, Tiffany Granderson, will send you some initial information and schedule a call to answer questions and assist you in discovering all that is involved in bringing the Colson Fellowship to your church. 

Who will lead our Church Affiliate? 

Church Affiliates are facilitated by either staff members or designated lay leaders who have successfully completed the Colson Fellows program. If there are currently no commissioned Colson Fellows on staff or within your congregation, we will provide two full scholarships for them to complete the program and evaluate it for themselves. Yes, you read that right—two leaders from your church can go through the program for free if you’re interested in starting a Church Affiliate.  

How long will it take to launch a Church Affiliate? 

If there are Colson Fellows on staff or within your congregation, the Program can be implemented in the next academic year, that begins each August. If there are no Colson Fellows, program implementation will follow a two-stage process. Beginning with the Training Year, we will enroll up to two of your selected leaders—tuition free—in the next Colson Fellows class, where they will earn their commission as a Colson Fellow. Once commissioned, we will work directly with them to launch the Colson Fellowship at your church in year two.  

How much does the program cost? 

Licensed Church Affiliates enter into a simple revenue-sharing arrangement with the Colson Center. Churches pay the Colson Center $450 per participant but may charge their participants up to $900 (the full tuition fee for the national program). After paying the Colson Center, churches are free to use the remaining funds to support scholarships and/or minimal administrative needs for running the program (refreshments, A/V, etc.). 

How are finances handled? 

Each student pays their tuition directly to you, the Church Affiliate. We will then invoice you for the students who remain enrolled as of October 1. This allows your learners to get settled into the program and ensures that you only pay for the students who are committed to completing it. It’s important that students bear the cost of tuition as this is a graduate-level program and investment on the part of the student is essential to their commitment to finish the program. In addition to tuition costs, books are approximately $200. These can be purchased by students from a vendor of their choice. 

I attend a Church Affiliate. How do I apply? 

All Church Affiliate participants must apply through their church, which is explained on the church’s website under “Colson Fellows program.” Church Affiliate participants do not apply through the Colson Fellows website.  

What if we decide not to launch an Affiliate? 

The church is under no obligation to continue after their Training Year. If your representatives determine that the Program is not right for your church, then we will part ways in fellowship. Also, if your church simply decides that it isn’t able to satisfy the requirements to be a Church Affiliate but wants to offer the Program to its members, you can direct your members to apply to the Colson Fellows program directly. We will not only help them in any way we can but happily offer a 25% discount off the national tuition rate. Tiffany Granderson can explain the process, if you’re interested in this option. 

Want more information? 

Attend one of our informational webinars to learn more. Our next webinar is November 14, 2024, at 1 p.m. Eastern. You can sign up HERE. 

Take the next step toward equipping your congregation with a comprehensive Christian worldview. Go to colsonfellows.org/churches to begin your journey! 

 

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