Sponsoring Your Pastor

Investing in your pastoral staff’s theological education strengthens the long-term health of your congregation. A theologically trained, well-equipped leader can:

• Preach and teach more effectively, deepening spiritual growth
• Provide stronger pastoral care in times of need
• Lead with greater wisdom through challenges and opportunities
• Model lifelong learning for the whole congregation

Students also gain lasting relational benefits: a cohort of ministry peers for encouragement and accountability across a lifetime of ministry, plus ongoing connection with conference staff and a broader support network.

Ignite and Equip use a unique cost-sharing model:

• North Park Theological Seminary: 50% tuition discount
• Sponsoring congregation: 25% of tuition
• Student (your pastor): remaining 25%

Your conference also covers accommodation costs for September intensives. Net cost to your congregation: roughly $2,500/year over the four-year program (tuition varies, billed per credit hour), a modest investment with a significant return for your church.

Students complete a Master of Arts in Christian Formation in four years of part-time study, designed to fit around ministry responsibilities:

• Week-long intensives each September and June (plus the Covenant Midwinter Conference in year one)
• Weekly 1.5-hour Zoom classes on Monday evenings during fall/spring semesters
• Additional time weekly for reading, assignments, and projects

• Discuss educational goals with your church staff member and how it aligns with your congregation’s mission
• Determine your congregation’s financial contribution (ideally 25% of tuition after the seminary discount)
• Agree on a plan for managing time commitments, including intensives and weekly study time
• Review the payment process below for paying your student’s invoice

1. Receive your student’s invoice. (Instructions are provided below for student access through Self-Service.)
2. Make a payment either
   • Directly to your student (simplest option)
     OR
   • To NPU over phone (preferred, 773-244-5727) or by mailing a check to
     • North Park University
       Attn: Student Accounts
       3305 W Foster Ave box #9
       Chicago, IL 60625
   • Note that you will need to provide your student’s North Park ID number as well as the exact amount you would like to pay toward their student bill. Federal restrictions (FERPA) prevent NP staff from sharing student information.

• Deadline: Fall semester payments must be made no later than November 1; spring semester payments no later than March 1, and summer payments no later than July 1.
• Receipts: North Park Student Accounts will email a PDF receipt to congregation upon request, following payments made by phone. If student makes the payment through Self-Service, they will receive a receipt at the time of payment.
• Tax-exempt details can be provided upon request.

1. Log in to Self-Service.
2. Click on “Student Finance.”
3. You will land on the Account Summary page.
4. Click on the term with a balance or the most current term (e.g., Spring 2026).
5. This will take you to the Account Activity page.
6. Click on “View Statement” in the right-hand corner.
7. Review statement to make sure everything looks correct. From here, you can save this as a PDF or print the invoice.

To make a payment, go back to the Account Summary page:

1. Click “Make a Payment” next to “Total Amount Due.”
2. You will be directed to the Make a Payment screen.
3. Choose a payment method.
4. Proceed to put in your payment details.