Lilly awards $2 million to Baptist schools

INDIANAPOLIS — Two Baptist theology schools have received $2 million grants from the Lilly Endowment to work with churches to promote “ministerial excellence.” McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University’s theology school in Atlanta, will use the funds to establish a pastoral-residency program for graduates to work in churches. Baptist Theological Seminary (BTSR) at Richmond, Va., will use the funds to build a job-placement system, to assist churches considering female pastors, to coach ministers in transition and to fund seminary staff positions to relate to congregations and alumni.

The grants are part of Lilly’s “Making Connections Initiative,” which is funding similar programs in 20 theology schools. McAfee and BTSR are the only Baptist-affiliated schools receiving grants, according to a Lilly spokeswoman. The initiative addresses the declining number of young people entering the ministry, the dropout rate among young ministers and the oft-felt isolation of pastors.