Lilly Endowment 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 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.
Deadline: March 12, 2025
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.