Thank you for taking the time to provide a reference for HELM's Leadership Fellows Program. Your assessment of the applicant is extremely valuable; your time and effort are greatly appreciated by HELM and the selection committee. Please, answer the questions below based on your relationship to the applicant.

  1. What is your relationship to the applicant and how long have you known him/her/they?

  2. Describe the applicant’s involvement in congregational, regional and/or general church activities and any leadership roles held by the applicant.

  3. Reflect on the applicant’s spiritual and ethical development.

  4. How does the applicant relate to other people and how do they view the applicant?

For questions or assistance, please contact Katy Sundararajan at  ksundararajan@helmdisciples.org.

Your reference is due by Friday March 31, 2023 11:59 PM. Late submissions will not be considered.

Leadership Fellows Program 2022 Application - References

The student for whom you are submitting this reference letter.

Your information

Please, include First and Last Names, and title (Rev., Dr., etc.) if applicable
Senior Pastor, Teacher, Youth Leader, etc.
Name of church, school, or ministry, etc.

Your Evaluation of the Applicant

You can copy and paste your evaluation in the text box or attach a file (MS Word Document or PDF). Please limit your response to around 1000 words.

These questions should be completed by the applicant’s pastor. If the applicant is the child of the pastor, the reference should be completed by another minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or a lay leader who knows the applicant well. Please, answer the following questions in your response.
1. What is your relationship to the applicant and how long have you known him/her?
2. Describe the applicant’s involvement in congregational, regional and/or general church activities and any leadership roles held by the applicant.
3. Reflect on the applicant’s spiritual and ethical development.
What leadership skills have you witnessed the applicant exercise? If possible, cite a specific example.

These questions should be completed by a teacher at the applicant’s current institution who is familiar with the applicant’s academic work. Please, answer the following questions in your response.
1. What is your relationship to the applicant and how long have you known him/her?
2. Describe the applicant’s academic performance and potential.
3. Reflect on the applicant’s character, judgement, integrity, and ethical development.
What leadership skills have you witnessed the applicant exercise? If possible, cite a specific example.

These questions should be completed by a congregation member or work supervisor who knows the applicant and can speak to the applicant’s work ethic and leadership skills. Please, answer the following questions in your response.
1. What is your relationship to the applicant and how long have you known him/her?
2. Describe the applicant’s academic aptitude, and his or her ability to profit from higher education.
3. Reflect on the applicant’s spiritual and/or ethical development.
What leadership skills have you witnessed the applicant exercise? If possible, cite a specific example.