Hood Theological Seminary (HTS), affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church, requests a five-year grant for partial support for the Institute for Early Career Clergy Development.  This Institute will support clergy in their second through seventh year of ministry in and around North Carolina.  The Institute seeks to promote sustainable ministry through the creation a network of local pastors, peer-mentor relationships between early career and experienced clergy, continuing education opportunities for all clergypersons, and retreats focused on topical aspects of ministry in the 21^st century.  To sustain this program, HTS will seek contributions from new individual donors, solicit support from local foundations and identify potential donors among denominational and congregational partners.