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 Application Window Now Closed

The 2023 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs application window is now closed and we are no longer receiving proposals. The application window for the 2024 program year will open in early November when updated Request for Proposals are published to the Resources for Grant Seekers section of this website. The deadline for the 2024 program year will be announced within the pages of the updated RFPs. Proposals accepted during the 2024 program year will be for renewal leaves planned for 2025. The date and registration link for our annual Information Webinar will be announced here in late summer.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

En Español

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PROGRAMA DE RENOVACION PASTORAL - Marco Teológico Para el Tiempo Sabático

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PROGRAMA DE RENOVACION PASTORAL

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.

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2022 Clergy Renewal Program Information Session

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

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

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

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Clergy Renewal Program FAQ Video

“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 Requests for Proposals, linked below, serve as sample materials which outline eligibility requirements, the application and submission process, and program guidelines. The Indiana and National programs have different Request for Proposals and fillable forms, please select the appropriate links below.

The 2024 Request for Proposals will be published here in early November and will include the 2024 program year application deadline.