Through the 2012 National Clergy Renewal Program, the Lily Endowment anticipates awarding as many as 150 grants of up to $50,000 each directly to Christian congregations for the support of a renewal program for their pastor. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for congregational expenses associated with the renewal program. Deadline for submission of proposals is May 11, 2012. Notification of grant awards will be made in September 2012.
The Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation, seeks to strengthen Christian congregations by providing an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacations, but times for intentional exploration and reflection and for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.
For complete program details and forms, go to http://www.clergyrenewal.org/
Are grants always associated with a sabbatical? Are there ways oif renewal that have been awarded that do not require an extended time away form the church?
Jeff,
You asked, “Are grants always associated with a sabbatical? Are there ways of renewal that have been awarded that do not require an extended time away from the church?”
There are a multitude of ways in a pastor’s busy schedule to find moments of renewal that do not require long absences from your church. Your question has triggered an idea for a future issue of ALL In that will highlight some of these options so thanks for asking.
My understanding of this particular Lily award program is that it involves a sabbatical effort. Based on their research and that of others who have examined pastoral renewal, having some period of time away from the congregation and daily pastoral responsibilities better enables reflection and personal growth which are essential to pastoral renewal. Applicants design their own sabbatical plan and some have longer times away than others within the program guidelines.
Carol