Project Directory

Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS) —affiliated with the United Church of Christ— in an effort to support new pastors in their first years of ministry after seminary graduation, hosts a program specifically curated for new and bi-vocational clergy who are serving congregations in economically disadvantaged and marginalized communities. The CTS “Resilience in Leadership” initiative will gather pastors into five regional cohorts across the country that will meet quarterly for two years and convene annually at a consultation featuring exemplary pastors and experts. Each Resilience in Leadership program participant will also meet monthly with an experienced pastor-mentor to cultivate a vision for and negotiate the challenges of leading a small and under-resourced congregation.

Marquette University, a Roman Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition, has received a five-year, $1 million grant to develop Companions in Ministry. This ecumenical endeavor brings together Christian pastors from diverse denominations, ethnicities, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds in the greater Milwaukee area. The program provides opportunities for small and large groups of pastors to build peer relationships and accompany one another in their respective ministries, especially during times of transition. Guided by well-trained leaders/ spiritual companions, pastors will participate in retreats and plenary sessions, network with small groups of pastors serving in similar ministry contexts, engage in spiritual direction and Sabbath time, and work with University partners for various trainings, and grounding in Ignatian Spirituality. The program aims to improve the pastors’ sense of well-being spiritually and professionally, and to foster a supportive, ecumenical ministry network. Companions in Ministry will impact 180 pastors over five years, helping them to thrive in congregational leadership, and in doing so, to enhance the vitality of the communities they serve. To sustain the program, Marquette University Advancement will seek contributions through its donor networks.

United Methodist Foundation of New England’s “Innovate, Integrate, Elevate” program expands and enhances a successful peer learning experience by offering nine cohort gatherings over a five-year period. The cohorts will be offered to pastors in cross-cultural appointments, as well as part-time licensed local pastors, and full-time clergy serving in a variety of settings and stages of ministry. Each cohort will have nationally recognized conversation partners and facilitators, time for individual and communal reflection, and the ability to work with peers to create leadership tools and resources for their mutual and individual use. Each person will participate in frequent group coaching calls. The goal of this program is to provide a space for pastors to grow in their relationship with Christ, explore their personal ministry, create a network of colleagues, and develop leadership skills to share across the annual conference.

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) seeks a five-year grant to support its Thriving on the Journey: A Process for Pastoral Leaders program.  This effort aims to support new and midcareer Mennonite pastors as they negotiate key professional transitions to help them address challenges and lead their congregations more confidently.  During this two-year program, new pastors will meet individually every other week with wise pastoral mentors and together as cohorts of five pastors each for three extended weekend gatherings.  Cohorts of six midcareer pastors each will meet with two seasoned leaders with expertise in pastoral ministry and intercultural competence four times a year to build peer mentoring relationships with each other and develop stronger skills for leading congregations in their particular ministry contexts.  To sustain this program, AMBS will seek contributions from participants and their congregations and cultivate gifts from new donors.

Denver Seminary, a nondenominational, evangelical school, requests a five-year grant for partial support for its Soul Care Initiative (SCI) program, an effort that seeks to provide spiritual renewal, physical rest and a supportive community for local Denver pastors.  Focusing on executive-level pastors, the seminary will form cohorts of 20 to 30 clergy each who will gather regularly for nine months for facilitated monthly retreats, individual spiritual direction and personal prayer practices.  In addition, the seminary will offer periodic retreats during pivotal seasons of the liturgical church calendar for alumni of the SCI program and other clergy throughout the Denver area.  The aim is to cultivate a wider network of pastoral leaders who support one another in their ministries.  To sustain this program, Denver Seminary will seek individual and corporate donors, church partnerships and sponsorships with organizations supporting pastoral leaders.

Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation (OPSF) requests a three-year grant for its Pastoral Leadership Revitalization Program, an effort to recharge the spiritual energy of pastors with the overall goal of revitalizing congregations. The program is an integrated mentoring and spiritual regeneration initiative for ordained clergy and lay pastors in the Central Nebraska, Missouri Union, and Missouri River Valley presbyteries and will involve both Presbyterian Church (USA) and a diverse ecumenical mix of clergy who serve as local pastors and lay pastors in small rural and urban congregations. The pastors will have opportunities to receive mentoring and coaching from experienced clergy, participate in pastor peer-to-peer networks, engage in retreats and spiritual rejuvenation activities and benefit from targeted actions to support their families. To sustain this work, OPSF will solicit funds from new donors and seek foundation grants.