Christian Theological Seminary, in its role of administering the Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program, has awarded grants to 144 congregations located in 34 states. Seattle Dream Church and Rev. Bomsu Kim of Bothell are among the recipients.
The 2015 program allows congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from ministerial duties and responsibilities. Pastors use the respite from congregational leadership for reflection and renewal, which often includes travel, scholarly research and immersive experiences with different cultures and traditions.
Congregations awarded the National Clergy Renewal Program grants nominated their pastors to receive this honor. Pastors in the 2015 program represent a diverse group that includes Protestant, Catholic and nondenominational congregations. In consultation with their congregations, the pastors determine how they will use the grants to replenish, restore and renew their ministries. Travel to varied destinations and journeys into nature are popular activities for grant recipients: one pastor will travel to Finland and North Dakota in order to explore the faith journeys of his Scandinavian ancestors. Another will travel with his family to Australia to spend time with congregations experiencing thriving music ministries.
In addition to travel as a form of renewal, some pastors will use their time away from congregational leadership to explore faith practices. One pastor will engage in sustained contemplative prayer in remote locales. Another pastor will engage his entire family in the practice of journaling to determine God’s presence in everyday occurrences.
Since Lilly Endowment introduced the National Clergy Renewal Program grants in 2000, more than 2,000 congregations across the nation have participated in the program. Congregations in the 2015 program received grants totaling more than $6 million. The grants recognize the tremendous amount of energy, time and leadership that pastors invest in their congregations.
“Lilly Endowment intends for this program to enable pastors to live for a while at a different pace and in a new environment, in Sabbath time and space,” said Dr. Christopher L. Coble, vice president for religion at the Endowment. “We can think of no better way to honor these hardworking, faithful men and women than to help them experience personal growth and spiritual renewal in ways that they themselves design and find meaningful. We regularly hear that these renewal experiences are transformative for pastors, their families and their congregations.”
Christian congregations were invited to apply for program grants of up to $50,000. The application process was participatory in nature, involving congregations and their pastors in the design and development of the renewal experience. Up to $15,000 of the grant could be allocated to fund interim pastoral leadership, as well as renewal activities within the congregation. Pastors were encouraged to include their families in the renewal activities.
The Rev. Dr. Robert Saler, research fellow and director of the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, noted that the National Clergy Renewal Program leverages the reciprocal dynamics of support, trust and encouragement reflective of healthy congregations. “The program is designed to respect the innate human need for times of service and replenishment. It provides a means for congregations to express appreciation for their leader’s service and respect for his or her health and energy for continued ministry,” Saler said.
Christian Theological Seminary’s Center for Pastoral Excellence was selected in 2012 to administer the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs. “At a time when society is experiencing unprecedented levels of change at ever increasing speeds, it is rewarding to offer programs that recognize the value of retreat and renewal,” Saler said. “We are honored and privileged to work with Lilly Endowment in its support of congregational leaders.”
