Budding theologians with a flair for writing have just four months to put together an award-winning essay for the Lombard Prize, to be given to the best young talent in April 2006.

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) is offering US$1,000 to the best essay, between 5,000 and 6,000 words written in English by a theological student or young pastor.

|QUOTE|theme for the 2005 – 2006 Lombard Prize is “Water, source of life: socio-economic, theological and interreligious perspectives” and will be awarded to the best entrant of 35 years of age or younger.

WARC’s executive secretary for theology and ecumenical engagement, Odair Pedroso Mateus, explained: “The Lombard Prize is meaningful from the perspective of theological students. It stimulates and rewards theological imagination.

“It is a door that might open many other doors to theological students willing to pursue further theological research.”

Mateus continued: “It’s a prize that is designed for young people. We wanted young people to be involved in Reformed theology. We are encouraging the new leaders of the Reformed churches.”

|TOP|Mateus said candidates for the prize must display not just the ability to learn theology but also the ability to relate that theology to the emerging issues of our time – the reasoning behind the theme of water, he added.

“If the human relationship to water does not change in the coming years, two-thirds of the world will soon not have free access to clean water,” said Mateus. “That is the importance of this topic for church life and witness.”

The prize is named after the late Georges Lombard, general treasurer of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches from 1948 to 1970, whose family, along with the Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch Bank, established the award to encourage and support exceptional students and young pastors from WARC member churches.

There will also be a runners-up prize up US$600 for second place and US$400 for third place.