Matching funds available for PC(USA) pastoral leaders seeking continuing education opportunities in church financial vitality and management
Presbyterian Foundation release
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Applications are now being accepted for the Presbyterian Foundation’s Church Financial Leadership Grant program. Applicants must be a pastor, commissioned ruling elder, (CRE), or leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The grants will enable pastoral leaders to institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce them to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within their church.
“I received a grant to attend a stewardship event last year and came away with new energy and imagination for a better way of doing annual stewardship campaigns,” said Rev. Jeff Sockwell, pastor of Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Lewisville, N.C. “It led me to advocate for a presbytery-wide training program as a long-term solution to our churches’ ongoing stewardship needs.”
“We’ve used some of the ideas I learned at a stewardship conference, and I am talking and writing much more about stewardship – not just in the fall,” said Rev. Dr. Carol Fisher, pastor of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Denver. Fisher also received a grant last year. “Giving has increased,” she said.
The Church Financial Leadership grants are matching funds, and applicants must provide the source(s) for the other half of expenses. Eligible expenses include registration fees, transportation, lodging, meals and other expenses for approved church financial leadership events, training and continuing education opportunities. The application deadline is June 15, 2018. Applications received after the June 15 deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Grant applications take approximately four weeks to process. Applications are available at presbyterianfoundation.org/financialleadership. If you have questions, send an email to serving@presbyterianfoundation.org.
The grants were made possible from the Foundation’s work as part of a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders.
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The Presbyterian Foundation gathers, stewards and distributes funds for mission. A vital part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Foundation strengthens congregations and related mission and ministry efforts by developing gifts and managing funds on their behalf. We work with them to build communities of generosity among their members and constituents. And we provide all Presbyterians an avenue to realize their philanthropic goals through a variety of giving options. In all our work, we remain focused on the Reformed values that have guided our stewardship and investment for more than 200 years.
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