Kansas Disciples of Christ

Together We Connect and Equip

Guidelines Kansas Bible Chair Grant

GUIDELINES
for the use of funds generated by the sale of
IRMA SMITH HALL
Kansas Bible Chair, Inc.

Approved by Kansas Bible Chair Board, i.e., Executive Committee of the Christian Church in Kansas (Disciples of Christ) on October 19, 2006, Amended June 2008 and October 2019.

Purpose Statement

These guidelines are intended to provide parameters for the use of funds derived from the sale of Irma Smith Hall to the University of Kansas. The desire is to honor the original purpose of the Kansas Bible Chair (KBC), which was established by the Kansas Christian Women’s Board of Missions in 1901 and the principals which have guided the KBC throughout its life. The articles of Incorporation of the Kansas Bible Chair state,

“The purpose of the Kansas Bible Chair shall be to fulfill the concerns of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in promoting the cause of teaching of religion in higher education primarily in the State of Kansas in accordance with the academic standards characteristic of university education in the United States, . . In pursuance of this purpose, this corporation may own and hold real and personal property, manage, lease, sell and convey the same; may receive bequests, endowments, annuities, . . ., etc.; may loan its money on or invest in mortgages and other securities, and have and exercise all other rights and privileges granted to such corporations by the laws of the State of Kansas.”

On October 17, 1997, the Executive Committee of the Christian Church in Kansas, acting as Trustees of the Kansas Bible Chair, Inc., passed a resolution to sell Smith Hall to the University of Kansas. Terms of agreement state that the University of Kansas would make twenty (20) annual installments of $55,000 beginning in Fiscal Year 1999.

The Executive Committee of the Christian Church in Kansas serves as Trustees of the Kansas Bible Chair, Inc. The proceeds of the sale of Smith Hall are invested with the Christian Church Foundation, and supervised by the Investment Advisory Committee of the Christian Church in Kansas.

Kansas Bible Chair Task Force

The Executive Committee of the Christian Church in Kansas acting as the Trustees of the Kansas Bible Chair possesses the final authority in the distribution of income from and use of the Kansas Bible Chair / Smith Hall funds.

Three persons will serve as the Kansas Bible Chair Task Force. The Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Kansas will serve as an ex-officio member. Members will be appointed by the Moderator of the Christian Church in Kansas with the approval of the KBC Trustees. Task Force members shall be chosen for three year terms and may succeed themselves no more than once. Terms will be structured in such a way that one term will expire at the end of each calendar year. KBC Task Force members will be representative of the Christian Church in Kansas and have an interest in quality religious education for the laity and continuing education for clergy.

The KBC Task Force will meet twice a year (in April and October), in person, or by other means that allows a thorough discussion of the possibilities and proposed recommendations. The KBC Task Force will consider requests for funding that come from committees, commissions and other entities of the Christian Church in Kansas. The Task Force will convey their recommendations to the Trustees of the Kansas Bible Chair for final approval.

Guidelines

  1. Given that over ninety percent (90%) of the funds used to establish the Kansas Bible Chair and to build Smith Hall were contributed by the Christian Church in Kansas, Disciples congregations in Kansas, and individual Disciples members, it is appropriate that the KBC/Smith Hall funds be used to fund programs and projects supporting religious education within the ministry of the Christian Church in Kansas.
  2. It will be the goal of the KBC Trustees to maintain and enhance the principal of the KBC/Smith Hall fund. The KBC Trustees will annually determine the earnings to be retained to increase the principal of the KBC/Smith Hall fund (1% to 10% of earnings compounded.) The KBC Trustees will inform the KBC Task Force of the funds available in any given year to support educational programs. Earnings from one calendar year will be expended in the next calendar year. The KBC Task Force will submit their recommendations to the Trustees of KBC for their approval.
  3. Earnings from the KBC/Smith Hall fund will be used to support educational programs and lectureships which will benefit both the laity and the clergy of Disciple congregations in Kansas. This could include, but not be limited to:
    1. Regional Assembly Speakers.
    2. Speakers for regional gatherings of the fellowship groups (Disciples Women’s Fellowship, Disciples Men’s Fellowship, and Christian Youth Fellowship).
    3. Cooperation with Phillips Theological Seminary to provide seminary classes in Kansas through electronic communication technology.
    4. Cooperation with Phillips Theological Seminary to provide special educational events in Kansas.
    5. Support of the Education for Ministry program through reduced individual cost of mentor training events and reduced annual fee paid by all Disciples EfM students in Kansas.
  4. Loans from the principal of the KBC/Smith Hall fund can be made to the Christian Church in Kansas to facilitate capital development projects that are in keeping with the goals and purposes of KBC. Such loans will be repaid in a timely manner with interest (at current market rate).
  5. Request requirements:
    1. All requests will be made in writing, expressing the purpose, goals, plans for the project, and the specific financial support requested.
    2. All requests for funding of education projects must come to the KBC Task Force with an endorsement from a committee or commission of the Christian Church in Kansas.
    3. Continuing projects will be reevaluated annually before funding is approved.
    4. The granting of funds requested will be made with the understanding that the recipient group will provide to the KBC Task Force an accounting of all the funds received and expended for the project. Any money received from the KBC Fund but not needed for the purpose stated in the request is to be returned to KBC so that a maximum balance will be retained for use in meeting requests from other groups. This accounting is to be provided within ninety (90) days following the project’s completion.
  6. These guidelines may be amended by the Trustees of the Kansas Bible Chair, i.e., Executive Committee of the Christian Church in Kansas (Disciples of Christ), Inc.