Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs

Resources

Since Lilly Endowment introduced the Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations and National Clergy Renewal Program grants in 1999 and 2000, more than 3,200 congregations across the nation have participated in the programs.

National and Indiana Clergy Renewal Programs provide opportunities for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life, and to engage in a period of intentional renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacation times. They are spaces created for spiritual exploration and reflection, for drinking again from God’s life-giving waters, for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.

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2023 Program Notifications

We are pleased to announce that congregations may now apply for Clergy Renewal grants of up to $60,000. This amount is $10,000 higher than what is indicated in the Clergy Renewal RFP. Lilly Endowment and CTS raised the maximum award amount to help congregations address rapidly increasing costs associated with clergy renewal program expenses. These additional funds may be applied to either the pastor's or congregation's budgets. The additional funds may be allocated between the two budgets in whatever manner the applicant chooses. Please note that this increase applies only to applications in the 2023 programs. Future award amounts will be determined at a later time. Email clergyrenewal@cts.edu with any questions about this increase.

Application deadline for proposals in support of a 2024 renewal leave: Wed, March 15, 2023. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than this date. Email applications must be time stamped by 11:59 pm Eastern time on this date. Award notifications will go out by August 31, 2023.

Clergy Renewal Program playlist

Recording of the 2023 CRP Information Webinar from November 4, 2022 that provides an overview of the programs and answers audience questions.

This video is private.

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2023 Clergy Renewal Programs Information Webinar

November 22, 2022

Previous grant recipient Bishop Claude Alexander shares key insights he gained during his Clergy Renewal Program sabbatical rest in this conversation with Clergy Consultants Dr. Alexia Ellis and Dr. Philip James.

YouTube Video UExNWjh4NjJvdFA4eVlvcnd5VFF6QWFKN0J3OVp2SV8xTi5DQUNERDQ2NkIzRUQxNTY1

Clergy Renewal Programs: Grant Recipient Bishop Claude Alexander Shares Insights from His Sabbatical

July 13, 2022

Clergy Renewal Program Clergy Consultants Dr. Alexia Ellis and Dr. Philip James along with previous grant recipient Bishop Claude Alexander highlight the benefits of the Clergy Renewal Program for pastors and congregations.

YouTube Video UExNWjh4NjJvdFA4eVlvcnd5VFF6QWFKN0J3OVp2SV8xTi41MzJCQjBCNDIyRkJDN0VD

Clergy Renewal Programs: Healthy Pastor, Healthy Congregation, Healthy Community

July 13, 2022

https://www.cts.edu/clergy-renewal/en-espanol

En Español

YouTube Video UExNWjh4NjJvdFA4eVlvcnd5VFF6QWFKN0J3OVp2SV8xTi41NkI0NEY2RDEwNTU3Q0M2

PROGRAMA DE RENOVACION PASTORAL - Marco Teológico Para el Tiempo Sabático

February 14, 2022

YouTube Video UExNWjh4NjJvdFA4eVlvcnd5VFF6QWFKN0J3OVp2SV8xTi4yODlGNEE0NkRGMEEzMEQy

PROGRAMA DE RENOVACION PASTORAL

January 31, 2022

Find out more about the Clergy Renewal Grant program and how to apply for the grant. With Director for the Center for Pastoral Excellence, Rob Saler and others.

YouTube Video UExNWjh4NjJvdFA4eVlvcnd5VFF6QWFKN0J3OVp2SV8xTi4wMTcyMDhGQUE4NTIzM0Y5

2022 Clergy Renewal Program Information Session

November 8, 2021

Information, testimonials, and questions answered regarding applying for the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Grant at Christian Theological Seminary.

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2019 Clergy Renewal Open House

January 16, 2020

Welcome to the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary!

Lilly Endowment's Clergy Renewal Programs are administered by the Center for Pastoral Excellence at Christian Theological Seminary.

Through its religion grantmaking, Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation, seeks to deepen and enrich the lives of American Christians. It does this largely through initiatives to enhance and sustain the quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes.

To this end, National and Indiana Clergy Renewal Programs provide 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, for drinking again from God's life-giving waters, for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.

Details and application materials for the 2019 programs are now available. In the 2019 Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program and the 2019 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations, eligible congregations will be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 each to support a renewal program for their pastor. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for congregational expenses associated with the renewal program.

Additional Information and Application: http://cpx.cts.edu/renewal

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Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs

February 7, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions about the Lilly Clergy Renewal Program (administered by Christian Theological Seminary)

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Clergy Renewal Program FAQ Video

February 5, 2019

“I am impressed at the way in which people thrived during this three month renewal period. The congregation seems not only happy, but spiritually fulfilled, and open to new growth and new possibilities for ministry.”
Rev. Dr. Guy CollinsSt. Thomas Episcopal Church, Hanover, New Hampshire

“One of the most interesting things that came about as a result of my time reflecting, refocusing, and renewing was the impact it had on my preaching. I came back a much stronger preacher than I was before I went on the renewal leave...one of the important impacts that this program had on the congregation was the coming together that resulted from it.”
Rev. Frank AlexanderOasis of Hope Baptist Church, Indianapolis, Indiana

“I was able to reserve time for reflection, meditation, and sleep...I was able to focus on my commitment to God and the ministry which I dedicated my life to. I was able to reflect on my allegiance, loyalty, and faithfulness to God. My faith was nurtured and my spirit was renewed and motivated...I could hear God’s voice saying, ‘Be still and know that I am truly God.’”
Rev. Dr. Lavonia K. McIntyreSt. John Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Monticello, Georgia

For Grant Seekers

Learn more about Clergy Renewal from past grantees and other friends of the program

Take a look at frequently asked questions about applying to the Clergy Renewal Programs

Request for Proposals (RFP)

The 2023 Request for Proposals documents, linked below, outline eligibility requirements as well as the process for submitting a proposal. A complete proposal includes all the elements as outlined on page 8 of the RFP, which includes but is not limited to the form pages (also linked below).